Michele received her Master of Forestry degree from Duke University. She has over eight years of experience in research, restoration and management of natural resources. As a forester on public lands, Michele designed timber sales, silvicultural prescriptions, and performed contract compliance on harvest operations. She was previously the Forest Certification Coordinator for NNRG, served as an assessor for a number of Smartwood Chain of Custody and Forest Management operations in the Pacific Northwest, and represented NNRG in the development of the Forest Stewardship Council's Pacific Coast Regional Standards. Michele currently manages conservation lands for the State of Washington's Natural Areas Program.