Michelle is a seasoned professional in communications, marketing, and government affairs. She currently leads the Marketing Advisor program at AgWest Farm Credit, a cooperative lending institution dedicated to providing financing and financial services exclusively to the agriculture industry. In this role, her team collaborates with lenders to deliver high-quality, timely, and customized solutions to producers across seven states in the West. Michelle also plays an active role in the association’s government affairs program, sharing the story of agriculture with state and federal elected representatives.

Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in history from California State University, Fresno, and a master’s degree in International Affairs from California State University, Sacramento. She was selected to participate in the Jesse M. Unruh Assembly
fellowship, a competitive 11-month program that offers in-depth exposure to public policy development in the California State Capitol. Although Michelle did not grow up in agriculture, she discovered her passion for the industry later in life and cherishes every moment she can spend on a ranch, dairy, farm, or orchard.

Today, Michelle serves on the California Agricultural Council of California as a board member and is a proud member of Class 53 of the California Agriculture Leadership program.