Staff

Michelle Clarkin, Director, Leadership Gifts

Michelle Clarkin brings a decade of experience in women's philanthropy and nonprofit work to her role as Director of Leadership Gifts.

Prior to joining Ms. Foundation for Women, Michelle was the Director of Development at Barrington Stage Company (BSC), a nationally recognized producing theatre, in the Berkshires of Western MA. At BSC, she worked with the Board and committees to increase funding for artistic and educational programs. Her efforts included expanding the foundation, corporate and individual funder base and developing a multi-year capital campaign.

At Smith College, Michelle worked in Major Gifts, under the leadership of President Carol Christ, supporting the organization's Women of Promise campaign. Through her work, she helped secure one of the largest gifts in the history of the college, in support of needs-based scholarships.

During her time at Fairfield County Community Foundation, Michelle managed communications and events for the Foundation's Fund for Women and Girls--the largest women's fund in New England.

Michelle earned a B.A. degree in communications from Columbia College, Chicago in 1994 and an M.A. degree in documentary from the University of London, Goldsmiths' College in 1996. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts, Easthampton, MA and the Norwalk River Watershed Association, Norwalk, CT.

A native of Anoka, Minnesota, Michelle currently splits her time between the Berkshires and New York City.