At the American Psychiatric Association (APA), Michelle provides strategic leadership and direction for the policy division and manages critical issues ranging from digital health to addiction, privacy policy, and development of clinical practice guidelines. She has worked in health policy for over 15 years in senior roles, including as director of policy for the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, legislative expert for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and a professional staff member for the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee where she advised the committee's chairman on mental health and substance use issues.

 

Michelle also worked as a senior associate for Burness, a communications firm providing consulting for foundations, and served as board secretary for Green Door Behavioral Health, a community mental health center in Washington, D.C.