Michelle graduated from Marymount High School in Los Angeles with honors in 1994 and entered the University of Notre Dame, earning a degree in Theology in 1998. Michelle returned to Los Angeles and joined her alma mater, Marymount High School, first as Theology teacher and later Director of Campus Ministry. Six years later, she accepted an offer to join the ORE as the Elementary Consultant. In 2009, Michelle became the first Director of Faith Formation for the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. In her eight years at the Cathedral, Michelle designed and built a thriving Faith Formation program centered around an Inter-generational model. During that time, she also earned her certification as a Pastoral Associate.