Michelle Hughes Consulting provides customized supports for individual leaders, teams, and organizations so that they can do their best work for the people and communities they serve. With more than 25 years of experience as a nonprofit leader in North Carolina, Michelle understands first-hand the immense challenges and pressures of leading for change in a volatile and uncertain world. She also knows the joy, excitement, and hope of working in partnership with others to spark transformation and growth together. Located in Durham North Carolina, Michelle Hughes Consulting works with clients in person and virtually to amplify their strengths, engage new ways of understanding, and build capacity for increased impact.

Lead a state-wide, state-level public policy nonprofit that promotes research driven policy solutions to the challenges faced by North Carolina children and familiesPartner with a range of stakeholders including the policymakers, researchers, funders, and community partners to leverage leadership, resources, and expertise, and to operationalize policy objectivesOversees a sound, effective organizational structure and ensures that programmatic objectives are supported internally through adequate finances, supervision, technology, and communicationIncrease, strengthen and diversify the organization's funding sources to adequately resource the organization’s strategic priorities and activities

Develop and lead initiative to improve well-being outcomes for children in North Carolina’s child welfare system through expanded service integration among providersFacilitate partnerships between county child welfare agencies and behavioral health managed care organizations to develop shared goals and strategies for clinical screening, assessment, and service deliveryProvide consultation and training to enhance performance-based accountability and effective partnering processes between county social service agencies and private child welfare providers Provide advocacy leadership for child welfare and child maltreatment prevention through participation in advocacy groups, legislative committees, and state-level reform initiatives

Executive Vice President (November 2009 – April 2011)• Directed Prevent Child Abuse NC’s programmatic efforts, including professional education and technical assistance, replication of promising and evidence-based practices, membership services, and advocacy • Led the development of innovative partnerships among public and philanthropic funders to launch and scale up an array of evidence-based and promising programs including the Nurse-Family Partnership, The Incredible Years, Circle of Parents, and Strengthening Families Program 6-11.• Helped launch the state’s first “Framing Community” – a group of professionals using empirically-based communications strategies to advance public understanding of social problems such as child maltreatment and family violence• Worked closely with the President/CEO and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) regarding administration, finance, communications, resource development, programs, and oversight of daily operations. Supervised 8-10 staff. Vice President for Program Services (July 2005 – October 2009)• Led programmatic efforts and provided leadership for systems reform initiatives to identify and implement statewide strategies to reduce child maltreatment in North Carolina • Served as primary staff for a state-wide task force on child abuse prevention and took lead in crafting North Carolina’s child maltreatment prevention plan • Researched and wrote numerous publications that helped translate research for practitioners interested in a variety of topics including the etiology of child maltreatment, definitions and principles of child maltreatment prevention, evidence-based prevention programs, and critical factors associated with effective implementation.Prevention Network Director (October 1999 – June 2005)• Developed a network of local agencies and community groups, concerned citizens, and advocates focused on child abuse prevention across North Carolina

Provided instruction through semester courses to undergraduate and graduate students in advocacy, public service, and macro practice social work.

Directed one of NCCAI’s three program areas, Public Action, which focused on building the capacity of individuals, groups, and communities at the local level to advocate for children; included program planning and implementation, financial administration, and supervision of staff and interns.Developed and provided leadership for two statewide associations, the North Carolina Foster Parents Association and Strong Able Youth Speaking Out (Say So), an association of youth in out-of-home placements