Michelle leads LACI’s work to accelerate system change in the zero emission transportation, clean energy and sustainable cities sectors via innovative partnerships, policies and pilots. She joined LACI in 2018 to grow and advance the Transportation Electrification Partnership, bringing together 30 public and private sector partners to accelerate zero emission transportation in the LA region.

Michelle was formerly the Clean Energy & Transportation Program Director for Environment California, working to advance an economy-wide shift to 100% renewable energy. In this role, she successfully helped to shape and pass numerous clean energy policies, including California’s historic SB 100, and coordinated the Charge Ahead California campaign, a joint effort of environmental and environmental justice organizations to ensure that California expands access to electric vehicles in low-income communities of color. She was also a leader in the L.A. County Electric Bus Coalition, which secured commitments from LA Metro, the City of Los Angeles, and City of Santa Monica to transition their bus fleets to electric by 2030.

Prior to turning her attention to California, Michelle was Co-founder and Deputy Director of Crude Accountability, a nonprofit that works with communities in the Caspian Sea basin to protect the region’s environment and ensure environmental justice. Michelle has a graduate certificate in Environmental Policy & Management from the University of Denver, and a BA in International Studies and Russian from Washington University in St. Louis. She was a finalist in the 2015 U.S. C3E Women in Energy Awards competition.