biography

Michelle Nasser is a passionate educator, Community creator, and leader, whose work focuses on implementing and restructuring organizational approaches to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). She serves on the Board of Trustees of a non-profit college preparatory school for under-resourced students where she focuses on the school's long-term impact on the community. She facilitates workshops, dialogue, group sessions, and critical thinking circles with the aim of empowering partners to create the change they seek.

Michelle has a Masters in Latin American Studies and a Doctorate in Spanish and Portuguese. She began her career as a professor of Spanish, Portuguese, and Cultural Studies and has taught in an array of educational settings ranging from elementary schools to elite liberal arts colleges to maximum security prisons. She thrives on developing leaders and always educates with an eye toward changing current conditions and the future. Her students and mentees often acknowledge Michelle's "you are the most important person for this job" encouragement as the reason they persevere and achieve their goals.

Most recently, Michelle founded Colibrí Summer Arts Program, an international art immersion program for US students.  She leads students of all ages to Oaxaca, Mexico for a series of artistic workshops with local Mexican artists. Students work with artists to explore their understanding of the world, break (unseen and unnatural) barriers between them, and facilitate their personal expression through various media. This experience is a safe space for human connection and creates a future where young people are able to fully express themselves.

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