Michelle’s marketing journey began when she joined the marketing team at EziBuy in Palmerston North in 1997. Five years later she moved to Tauranga where she continued working in marketing as an external Marketing Consultant. 

Michelle has grown in her charitable knowledge and governance capabilities through study (including receiving a Masters in Professional Accounting in 2025), and by serving on various trust boards including the Whangamata Community Marae Trust, Tauranga Moana Night Shelter Trust, Eastern Coromandel Community Services Trust, Creative Bay of Plenty, Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Trust, Breast Cancer Support Services Tauranga Trust and others. 

Michelle's association with the Western Bay Museum began four years ago, and she has been an integral part of the team ever since.