Michelle Speas graduated Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in history and anthropology and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a M.A. in history from the University of Mississippi at Oxford. 

 

At the age of 19, she made her public affirmation of faith, receiving Christ into her heart as her Lord and Savior, and was baptized by immersion.

 

In 1998 she received the Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, and in 2009 passed the international examination, Certified Fundraising Professional (CFRE), administered by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, an international professional association with more than 100,000 members worldwide.

 

As a professional fundraiser, she has been recognized by her peers on several occasions receiving regional and national US awards. In 1999 and 2000 she received three regional Council for Advancement and Support of Education District III (CASE) awards for Excellence in Total Fundraising (1^st Place), Educational Fundraising Projects (2^nd Place)and Overall Alumni Relations Programs (3^rd place.)

Michelle was named the recipient of the 2008 Fundraiser of the Year Award by the North Carolina Triad Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. and received the national 2008 Fundraising Professional of the Year Award from Fundraising Success, a national magazine that recognizes fundraising professionals that are setting new standards for success and achievement.  

 

Michelle has worked in fundraising since the start of her career after working for two years in Toyama, Japan at the Office of the Governor. She has served the health and human service, education, and arts and culture sectors as a senior administrative officer. She also spent five years as the CEO of a private family foundation, awarding grants to a variety of nonprofits on the East coast of the US.

 

During her 16 year career in philanthropic services, Michelle has served on more then 40 US professional and nonprofit board of directors, including serving in a variety of roles at her church and on the Board of Deacons, including Chairman of the Board.

 

Michelle and her husband, Christian, live in Advance, North Carolina, with their two sons, Davis and John.