Michelle Hopson is the Chief Operating Officer at YBI. With over 15 years of nonprofit and educational experience, she is a trusted advisor to Boards and Executive Leadership advancing work force and process integration causing people and systems to inter-functionally achieve high level results. Michelle also formed Hopson Consultancy, LLC to expand her community impact work partnering with nonprofits and women-owned businesses. Her managed and professional services practice is a Connecticut certified minority-owned business and was awarded a Diversity in Business Champion under the direction of the Fairfield County Business Journal (CT) and the Westchester County Business Journal (NY) for Michelle’s socially conscious leadership, ongoing commitment to personal and professional development, and impact in business in Connecticut and New York. Michelle earned a bachelor’s degree in Legal and Policy Studies from Fordham University, where she also received an Executive Education Certificate from Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business and Graduate School of Social Services’ Center for Nonprofit Leaders. In 2015, she was selected to attend a Harvard Advanced Leadership Institute symposium for Harvard Fellows, established, and emerging leaders of regional non-profits, cause-advancing organizations, public and government organizations. Michelle enjoys diversity and maintaining a mix of meaningful people, roles, and activities that cultivate her values. She serves as an Advisory Board Member at Fordham University’s Alumni Association; a Board Member at the International Women’s Writing Guild; an Executive Function Coach at NFIL; a local Parish Council Board Chair Member, and an Appointed ZBA Board Alternate for town government.