Some of my earliest memories are of classic car shows. I was still in a stroller the first time my dad brought me, and somewhere between the gleaming hoods and the summer heat, I spotted a pony on the front of a car and was immediately sold. I didn’t know it was a Mustang yet. I just knew I wanted one.
I’ve been going every summer since, but what kept me coming back wasn’t the cars. It was the owners. Every hood propped open was an invitation to a story. The guy who spent twelve years restoring a ’69 Camaro in his garage. The woman whose father drove the same model on their road trips growing up. The stories were never really about the cars. They were about what the cars meant.
That’s when I started understanding what a brand actually is. Not a logo or a color palette, but the feeling people carry with them long after they’ve walked away.
Working with nonprofits and local businesses gave me the chance to do exactly that, building communities where people feel seen and connected. And because great brand stories don’t live in one place, I learned what it takes to make sure they hit every touchpoint, from the graphic that stops the scroll to the caption that makes someone feel something to the campaign strategy that ties it all together.
That foundation is what’s pushing me forward. Toward bigger briefs, more ambitious campaigns, and the kind of creative challenges that demand everything I’ve learned and then some.
The kid who got sold on a pony is still paying attention. Now she's along for a much bigger ride!
-
Social media management is more than a content calendar. It's knowing your audience, staying consistent, building real community, and using performance data to keep getting better. Understanding what keeps people coming back is something I enjoy, and it's a space where I'm always finding new ways to grow.
-
A great campaign doesn't live on one platform. It shows up consistently across every touchpoint, from social and email to paid media, with a clear goal and a cohesive story running through all of it. There's something I love about the challenge of making every channel feel intentional and connected, and mapping out how it all comes together is where I do my best thinking.
-
Good content doesn't happen by accident. Whether it's a Reel, a carousel, a blog post, or an email, every piece of content has a job to do and an audience it needs to reach. The writing, the visuals, and the strategy behind them all have to work together to tell a story worth paying attention to. Finding the right words and the right look for whatever the moment calls for is something I take a lot of pride in.
Michelle displayed consistent growth in her professional skills. She effectively managed tasks and consistently delivered high-quality written content. Notably, her public speaking skills improved, reflecting her growing confidence. Michelle's positive attitude and enthusiasm made her a valued team member.
Kaylin Risvold, President & CEO Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce
Michelle is thoughtful, reliable, and a true team player who makes every project stronger simply by being part of it. She has a real talent for understanding an organization’s mission and turning it into clear, engaging content that connects with people. Even though she was new to the service dog field, Michelle quickly learned our work, our audience, and the stories that mattered most. She asks smart questions, listens well, and consistently delivers strong work.
Lisa Lunghofer, Executive Director Atlas Assistance Dogs
