ABOUT ME

Welcome! I'm Michelle (She/They), and I'm so glad you're here.

I build systems that work at scale, but my real passion is designing systems that are humane, nervous‑system‑aware, and built for people who are often an afterthought in the design.

The Journey

My path started in youth work, theatre, music, and language teaching.

Spaces where deep listening, empathy, and belonging have always been central. That led me to education and humanitarian work, where I spent 6 years building learning infrastructure for the Humanitarian Leadership Academy.

The scale: Nearly 1 million active learners across 195 countries. 350k+ credentials issued. Systems that made global learning accessible to locally-led humanitarian workers.

But beyond the numbers, what drives me is this: How do we design systems that include everyone from the start, not as compliance, but because it's the only way things actually work?

What I Do Now

Now I help organisations optimise LMS platforms, design AI workflows, and build operational systems. I also support individuals, especially neurodivergent professionals, create productivity systems that match how their brains actually work.

I teach Power & Privilege on a Master's programme. I'm trained in trauma-informed facilitation and equity-centred design. I bring a holistic approach that integrates mind, body, and spirit into how we work, because systems aren't just technical.

What Makes Me Different

I'm neurodivergent and have lived experience across multiple protected characteristics. I started in music, BA in Commercial Music, Advanced Diploma in Sound Engineering, before moving into youth work, theatre, and equity advocacy. I've built systems serving millions AND facilitated healing circles for colleagues during restructures.

That combination means:

• I design LMS platforms with accessibility baked in, not bolted on (audio engineer's ear for sensory design)

• I build AI workflows that reduce overwhelm, not add to it

• I measure impact through equity metrics, not just engagement stats

• I create spaces where technical expertise meets deep humanity

Music production taught me: layer by layer, signal flow, mixing for clarity. The same principles apply to systems design - remove noise, create space, make everything audible.

Technical skills + equity-centred design + lived experience = systems that work for everyone.