Michelle's journey wasn’t always clear, but it was driven by a desire to find her true calling. Growing up in the small town of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, she thought her path was set after earning a B.S. in Finance from Lehigh University. But a short stint in the banking world quickly revealed a restlessness she couldn’t ignore. She knew there was something more, something that truly sparked her passion.

 

That spark led Michelle to make a bold career shift, stepping into the field of education. After earning her Masters in Education from St. Joseph's University, she spent her twenties loving life as an elementary school teacher. 

 

Once a new mother, she left the classroom and dove into local community work, taking on leadership roles that would later shape her perspective on communication and conflict resolution.

 

Yet, as her sons grew and prepared to leave for college, Michelle felt another void on the horizon. Inspired by both her educational background and entrepreneurial spirit, she carved out a new path as an independent college admissions consultant, helping families navigate the overwhelming search for the best "fit" schools.

 

Then, life took another unexpected turn. In the spring of 2017, a part time residence in Bend, Oregon opened up the next chapter. As she explored her new surroundings, Michelle found her voice in an entirely unfamiliar way—through writing. By February 2020, she had published her debut novel, Learning to Bend, a book about a young woman's journey of self-discovery.

 

Since then, Michelle has continued to embrace the twists and turns of her "second act" in Bend. With four more novels (The Dog Walkers, The Invitation, The Retreat, and The Healerrs) and a blog that she updates twice a month, she remains constantly surprised by the joys and challenges that life presents. Today, she shares this adventure with her husband, Scott, their two spirited pups, and their two amazing adult sons. 

 

 “Life," she says, "is full of unexpected beauty.”