Michelle E. Wright
MPS Class of 2025, Global Development
- Pronouns: She/her
- Grand challenge: Far future societal planning informed by the limits of systems and knowledge of operational realities
- Where she considers home: Trumansburg, New York, USA
- Connect: mew42 [at] cornell.edu (Email)
Michelle E. Wright is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in local government, project management, and community services. As a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) student in Global Development at Cornell University, she intends to use her expertise in systems and operations in local democratic systems to focus on far future societal planning. In her most recent position as the 2nd Deputy Supervisor and Budget Officer for the Town of Ulysses, Michelle oversaw a multi-million-dollar budget, managed capital projects, and developed strategic initiatives to promote multi-year financial planning.
With a background that includes roles in agriculture, education, grant administration, and financial planning, Michelle thrives in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders. She is passionate about mindful communication and dignity for all. Having worked closely with state departments, private entities, and local organizations to advance projects, Michelle is well practiced in community engagement and partnership development. She looks forward to furthering those skills as the Graduate Assistant for the Humphrey Fellowship Program at Cornell.
Throughout her career, Michelle has maintained a mission-driven approach to her work, prioritizing strong relationships, continuous improvement, and a focus on ecological, social, and financial sustainability. She is dedicated to fostering a collaborative culture of growth, and possesses the ability to manage detailed, forward-thinking, big picture projects.