Passion for Philanthropy: Michele has a deep passion for creating opportunities that help educate and facilitate ways for people to give back to their community. Her work supporting nonprofit organizations focuses on building and maximizing relationships and creating greater levels of engagement. Michele is particularly committed to the vital role women have on the future of philanthropy.
Experience: Michele has served Arizona’s nonprofit and fundraising industry for more than 30 years developing innovative programs by implementing efficient and effective strategies for creating meaningful relationships with employees, donors, volunteers, and businesses. She has worked with large and small organizations, education and healthcare institutions, and communities throughout the state of Arizona bringing them to new heights of participation and contributions.
In 2016 she established her own consulting practice in response to the inspiration she discovered through a decade of successful engagement with the female investors as the AVP of the ASU Foundation’s Women & Philanthropy program. This rare, hands-on experience offers her a unique niche of expertise for coaching nonprofit organizations to integrate strategies that recognize the escalating and transformational role women have on society through their philanthropy. Committed to sharing her knowledge and passion with nonprofits, Michele has served as a speaker for various conferences and groups, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, and Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits.
In 2018 she was proud to join the 73-year-old international firm of CCS Fundraising as their Arizona based consultant. During her work with CCS Michele’s clients included, University of New Mexico Hospital, Northern Arizona University and San Martin de Porres Catholic Parish in Southern Arizona, testing the readiness and capacity for their respective potential campaigns. Michele also worked with Dignity Health Foundation East Valley on its five-year, $25 million comprehensive campaign to fund two new medical towers. Using her expertise in women focused philanthropy, she also guided Georgia State University in formalizing their Women’s Philanthropy Network.
In 2021 Michele and Alan Knobloch combined their individual practices to form Synergy Philanthropy. Combined, they have nearly 70 years of successful nonprofit fundraising and management experience in Arizona. Their array of skills and practice offers clients a rare level of insight to guide most aspects of nonprofit development.
Professional Associations: Michele has been a member of the AFP Greater Arizona Chapter since 1998 and served in various leadership and Board roles including Professional Mentor Program, Advancement and Philanthropy Day Chair. She is also an active member of AZ Impact for Good, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, the Nonprofit Lifecycle Institute and 100+ Women Who Care.
Community Volunteer: Michele practices what she preaches through her community engagement. She is an active member & sponsor of 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun; Member with board leadership roles in the AFP Greater AZ Chapter; Tempe Chamber of Commerce/ Women In Business Council member; Founding Development Board Chair, Keep Tempe Beautiful, Inc; and more. Michele is committed to animals and served more than 10 years as a volunteer for AZ Adopt a Greyhound. She has also been an active volunteer for the Arizona Ironman race since 2008 housing professional triathletes, serving as a wet suit peeler, finish line catcher, registration volunteer and other various roles. One of Michele’s proudest volunteer achievement’s is the role she played in creating the first Paratriathlete Team in Arizona during her service on the SW Region’s USA Triathlon Board.
Personal: Michele grew up and went to college in Upstate NY, moving to AZ in 1988 and loves the desert. She and her spouse are avid animal lovers and enjoy all kinds of travel, from international to simply taking their camper off the grid and exploring Arizona.