Michelle grew up in Bethel, and is a member of the Qissunamiut Tribe of Chevak, Alaska. Michelle is a career veteran in the political and Tribal non-profit world. She has worked in the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, the Alaska State Legislature, in a presidential campaign and a U.S. Senate campaign, as well as for various Tribal entities in policy and business ventures. She is currently the Director of Strategic Initiatives for Get Out the Native Vote (GOTNV) which works to promote civic engagement among Alaska Native People, while engaging the institutions that conduct elections. Housed at the Cook Inlet Tribal Election, GOTNV has been working since 2020 to reach Alaska Native communities across local, state, and federal elections.