Gisele M. Michel joined MLRI as Chief Equity Strategist in January 2025, where she champions a workplace culture of fairness, equity, and belonging. She aligns internal practices with these values, advises the staff and leadership team, and leads initiatives to enhance organizational cohesion, effectiveness and impact. Before joining MLRI, Gisele founded and served as the Managing Director of Icatalyst Consulting, a firm focused on improving organizational systems, operations and processes through the lenses of equity and social justice. Her consultancy spanned a diverse client base, including large organizations such as Hennepin Technical College, Family Service of Greater Boston, and the Justice Resource Institute, alongside smaller agencies like the Boys and Girls Club of Woburn and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. She also collaborated with global entities like Last Mile Health and Grassroots International, as well as government agencies, to enhance systems and clarify strategic goals. Gisele's expertise spans management consulting, organizational development, strategic planning, DEI initiatives, and interim executive leadership, addressing issues like poverty, community partnerships, human services, economic and small business development, racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and global health. She has worked with the U.S. Department of Justice and HUD, facilitating collaborations to create equitable, safe environments for public housing residents, with participation from then-Attorney General Janet Reno and HUD Secretary Mario Cuomo. A skilled communicator, Gisele has appeared in media outlets such as The Washington Post and Newsweek and lectured in Northeastern University’s graduate program for Leadership and Management Science. Known for her compassion, vision, and strategic acumen, Gisele is a dynamic leader dedicated to driving meaningful change and fostering equity across organizations and communities.