Michele has more than 20 years of experience in energy and environmental issues, spanning the government, non-profit, and for-profit sectors. She previously served in leadership at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office, where she managed a team focused on reducing barriers to equitable solar energy and storage deployment. This role included overseeing research on mitigating the environmental impacts of large-scale solar projects. Prior to her federal service, Michele worked at a solar company, advancing financing and transmission policies to enable clean energy development. During her 12 years in the non-profit sector, she spearheaded government watchdog and advocacy campaigns on energy and environmental policies. She began her career building grassroots expertise in post-Soviet Russia on nuclear weapons issues. Michele is currently a Senior Resident Fellow at the Solar and Storage Industries Institute. She holds a Master of Science in environmental policy from the University of Michigan and dual Bachelor of Science degrees in biology and environmental science from Purdue University. She joined the Board in 2026.