Speakers

Michelle advances the Conservancy’s thought leadership and innovation on the value of nature for business and the economy, including leading TNC’s Valuing Natural Capital initiative with Corporate EcoForum and the TEEB for Business coalition.  She frequently serves as the Conservancy’s spokesperson on the topic of nature and its value to business and our economy.

Prior to this role Michelle was Director of Corporate Practices, launching and leading the Conservancy’s new corporate program and team, and developing strategic engagements with Dow and other companies to incorporate the value of natural capita and infrastructure into business decision making. 

Michelle’s career has focused on advising leading global companies on more sustainable business practices.  She ran her own consulting business, SustainBiz, and has advised clients such as Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and Starbucks. As Director, Advisory Services at Business for Social Responsibility she led BSR’s consulting practices to Fortune 500 food, agriculture, consumer products and transportation companies. Michelle was the Global Environmental Health Safety manager at Gap Inc. where she developed the company's industry-leading initiative on responsible sourcing applied to 3500 suppliers in 53 countries.  Michelle holds a M.S. in Environmental Management from the University of San Francisco, where she also served as an Adjunct Professor, and a B. A. in Behavioral Biology from Johns Hopkins University.   She is vice board chair of Young Women Social Entrepreneurs.