Bio:
Michelle Highberg was raised in Larchmont, New York by a teacher and social worker. Mom ushered Michelle into charitable work by volunteering in thrift shops from age 3. By age 7, Michelle's dad taught her how to throw a successful gala at the Waldorf Astoria. In Madison, she fundraised for the Alumni Foundation. Upon graduation, Michelle decided to make fashion her career and was offered a buying role in New York City. Within 3 months, a dream job offer called her to both live and work in Laguna Beach, California.
Corporate fashion, international travel, business development, project management, sales, and design fueled her career in fashion. As a volunteer she continued to support causes.
In 2015, seeking a new challenge, Michelle took her recently acquired skills officially to the nonprofit sector to Working Wardrobes. Her title: Fearless Fundraiser & Special Event Planner.
Seeking more knowledge on best practices and ethics, Michelle obtained her CFRE in 2017. In 2020, Michelle partnered with Evelina Pentcheva to run Lido Paddle Project, a holistic wellness nonprofit serving first responders and veterans. In 2022, Michelle and Evelina co-pioneered a digital detox mental wellness nonprofit called Just Gather.
Addressing the academic and socio-emotional deficits faced by all students, Just Gather is all about community inspired wellness, inter-generational mentorship, and a much-needed sense of purpose for those feeling lost.
The arts, Nature and gratitude serve as bridges to inner peace.
As a founder, fundraiser, teacher, author, mom, and budding artist, Michelle works from a lens of gratitude. In life and business, her authentic relationships are stewarded with transparency, emotional intelligence and clarity. As a storyteller, Michelle appreciates the power of the word. As a CFRE, she is well versed in all fundraising modalities with strengths in major gifts, individuals, and donor affinity groups.
A lifelong learner, Michelle is pursuing her master's in teaching with aspirations to create a master's in gratitude practices curriculum. As well, Michelle is writing books to advocate for mental wellness, self-empowerment, gratitude practices, and the safety of all children.
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