Michelle attended Missouri Western State University where she received degrees in Accounting and Business Management.  She continued her education at the University of Missouri-Columbia and obtained her law degree.  In 2005 she started working as a public defender and became an Assistant Prosecutor for Buchanan County in 2018.   Michelle has served on the career criminal task force.  She serves on the board of  LUBA (Noyes Home) and St. Joseph Habitat for Humanity.  She is a member of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council, Junior League, and a past graduate of Leadership St. Joseph.  Michelle is married and has a daughter.  In her free time she enjoys traveling, hiking and reading.