Michelle Ray is a non-profit and association leader with more than 25 years of experience in staff management, foundation leadership, and strategic partnerships. A dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, she currently serves as Principal of Michelle Ray Strategies, advising organizations on DEI strategy in today’s evolving workforce.

Prior to launching her firm, Michelle spent nearly two decades with the Walter Kaitz Foundation, rising from Program Director to Executive Director, where she led the Foundation’s strategic direction, fundraising, and grantmaking in support of diversity initiatives across the media and telecommunications industry. Under her leadership, the Foundation’s annual fundraising dinner raised over $1.7 million to benefit leading industry diversity organizations. Earlier in her career, she held senior marketing and event leadership roles at NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, managing multi-million dollar budgets and high-profile industry events.

Michelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from McGill University, where she was active in the Caribbean Students Society and Black Students Association. She is also a graduate of WICT’s Betsy Magness Leadership Institute, NAMIC’s Executive Leadership Development Program at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, and CTAM’s Executive Management Program at Harvard Business School.