About

Growing up on a family farm in Kentucky, I was raised with the values of hard work, dedication, and a deep sense of community. My dad worked the land as a farmer, while my mother devoted over 30 years to civil service at Ft. Knox. From an early age, I learned the importance of responsibility through daily chores before and after school, which instilled in me a strong work ethic. I became the first in my family to attend college, earning a degree in Chemistry from Centre College, a small liberal arts college in Kentucky. My career in the Environmental and Pharmaceutical sectors eventually led me to Massachusetts.

When looking for a place to raise our family, we were drawn to Southern NH for its small-town charm, beautiful conservation areas, and the promise of great public schools. We moved to Windham 21 years ago, and I’m proud to say we found exactly what we were looking for in those great public schools. Our daughter Kaelin is now a senior at Windham High School, and our son Kyle, a graduate of Windham High, is currently a junior at Princeton University. One of my greatest passions, and a driving force behind my decision to run for State Representative, is defending the public education system that I am so grateful for.

Upon moving to town, I transitioned from my career as a chemist to becoming a stay-at-home parent and it didn’t take long to discover that our town runs on volunteers so I started getting involved. My first community volunteer endeavor was 20 years ago as part of the group that fundraised and built the playground at Griffin Park. This was also my first exposure to the NH WAY - we don’t just raise money and hire someone to do the work; we come together and organize a community build! I loved this spirit of community and working together for the good of our neighbors and quickly caught the bug of community involvement. Being new to town with a young baby, the Nesmith Library became our second home. Our small town doesn’t have a community center, but Nesmith certainly is the heart of town. It was at Nesmith that I was introduced to the Friends of the Library of Windham (FLOW) and the Strawberry Festival committee. FLOW's Strawberry Festival and Book Fair is the largest fundraiser for the Nesmith Library and one of the longest-running community events in Windham. For the past 20 years, it has been a privilege to be a part of this incredible event, chairing the festival six times, including the celebration with the Nutfield 300th, and the first festival post-COVID. It has been an honor to get to know so many neighbors over the years. Through organizing an event with hundreds of volunteers and thousands of attendees, I've learned what it takes to bring people together for a shared purpose, working toward the good of the community. While the Strawberry Festival and Book Fair hold a very special place in my heart, some of my other volunteer activities include Golden Brook School book fair coordinator, FLOW Holiday Crafts, Center School book fair committee, Center School volunteer coordinator, PTA, Windham High School Boosters event chair, WBSL tball and softball coach, Election Ballot Clerk, Windems Executive Committee, and Windham Pride Festival volunteer.

My commitment to serving our community evolved from being an avid volunteer to running for local office. Over the past decade, I've been honored to serve two terms on the Nesmith Library Board of Trustees and two terms on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, where I currently serve as chairperson. These roles have given me a deep understanding of our town's needs, the importance of preserving the special qualities of our community, and the challenges we face. Through these experiences, I’ve gained a critical perspective on how local municipalities are directly impacted by legislation passed in Concord. After spending countless hours in local board meetings, I've learned what matters to residents, and I'm committed to amplifying those voices. I’ve also realized that residents have a great deal of valuable input when given a forum. I’ve learned to listen more than I talk, and how to cut through the noise to be able to focus on the core of an issue. I believe that this empathy and understanding are among the strongest qualities I’ll bring to the position of State Rep.

So, I’m asking for your trust and your vote to bring my commitment of a calm, collaborative, common-sense approach to Concord with a focus on defending public education, protecting our natural resources, and cultivating respectful communication. These aren’t just talking points to me- they are areas where I have actively demonstrated my passion since moving to our community. I believe I am uniquely positioned to fight for education because I’ve been a substitute teacher for over a decade - yes including as a lunchroom monitor like Governor Tim Walz! Working in the schools, specifically in special education, I've seen from the inside how even the smallest hit to the budget can have dramatic consequences for our students and staff. I will advocate tirelessly for educational equity for all students. I have also witnessed the incredible impact that mental health professionals have in our schools. I want to ensure that the whole student is taught and nurtured.

Another reason our family chose to move to the Windham area is the beautiful trails, lakes, ponds, and conservation areas. These natural resources significantly enhance our quality of life and are integral to what makes our towns special. However, Concord has gradually stripped away local control over protecting these resources. I am committed to restoring that control, so we can protect the natural beauty and environmental health that are at the heart of our community. Serving on a land use board has given me the knowledge needed to protect these natural resources, ensuring we preserve the beauty and health of our environment for generations to come. I'm ready to take the knowledge I've gained from serving the past four years on the Zoning Board with e to Concord to protect the local control communities have over their environment and natural resources. I want to ensure our drinking water is safe, our lakes and ponds are healthy, and our wetlands are protected.

Finally, meaningful legislation starts with listening to the people it affects. Many residents are not aware of how the decisions made in Concord impact them. As your representative, I am committed to keeping you informed and ensuring your voice is heard in our state’s capital. If elected I will reach out to town stakeholders when bills come up for debate, I will work diligently to find bipartisan compromise and I will hold listening sessions to find out what residents are most concerned about. My goal is to work collaboratively, listen to all perspectives, and find common ground for the benefit of our community. I’m committed to ensuring that the votes I make result in progress for the neighbors I serve, making your concerns my priorities.

More about Michelle

Dedicated to Community