Michelle graduated from St. Kate’s this spring with a French major and a double minor in Communications and Philosophy. Originally hailing from the state of Montana, she’s nonetheless made herself at home in Minnesota for the past four years. Michelle also works in her alma mater’s Department of Marketing and Communications, in addition to her work at the Council. A lover of international travel, sticking her nose in books, and Minnesota’s renowned lake beaches, she enjoys the vibrant music scene of the Twin Cities and can be most often spotted at live shows.
To get to know our new team member, we sat down with Michelle to talk Charities Review Council, summer plans, and favorite foods.
1. What is your favorite Accountability Standard®?
My favorite Accountability Standard® is Financial Transparency. More than anything, trust is crucial to a prosperous relationship between donors and nonprofits. The more confidence donors and grantmakers have in a nonprofit, the more progress they can make together.
2. How have you seen nonprofits have an effect on our community?
One of the tenets St. Kate’s emphasizes most with its students is community engagement. I’ve witnessed the connections my friends have forged through volunteering, and I deeply value the widening of perspective and communality that community engagement brings to all who participate.
3. When you’re not strengthening the capacity of nonprofit organizations by interning at Charities Review Council, what do you like to do for fun?
At any given moment during my free time I’m either seeing live music or kicking it on the beach (Nokomis is my lake of preference). Summer is the perfect time for both!
4. If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Potatoes, because I love almost every possible iteration of them… My one true love.
5. What are you most excited for as you begin your journey with Charities Review Council?
While I’ve volunteered with nonprofits over the years and have also worked in communications, I haven’t had the two experiences intersect, until now. I’m excited to take advantage of the crossover this internship with Charities Review Council will provide.
We’re thrilled to have Michelle on our team this summer! Join us in welcoming her by sending an email to michelle@smartgivers.org.
