Michelle Ellison, CFRA, MPA has a wide range of experience in financial development and nonprofit management. From the arts, to disaster relief, to healthcare, Michelle has been a front-line fundraiser for over 10 years and has been in nonprofit management for 15 years. Michelle has written and secured government contracts and foundation grants, in addition to successful six-figure solicitations from individuals and corporations. She has worked with both brand new nonprofit ‘start-ups’ and nationally known nonprofit organizations.

Michelle has a BA in Arts Management with a focus in Art History from Chatham College for Women (now Chatham University) in Pittsburgh, PA. She went on to earn a certificate in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in NYC, followed by a MA in Public Administration from Kutztown University (PA). While at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, she had a fellowship at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philly. At her time at Kutztown University, she was a Graduate Assistant at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Michelle has been a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter (AFP-GLV) since 2017. She will take on the role of Chapter President in January of 2025 and is currently serving as President-Elect. Michelle is the AFP-GLV representative to the Lehigh Valley Consortium of Professional Organizations (LVCPO). Past board service includes Lehigh Valley Girls Rock (LVGR).