Dr. Michelle Ramos is an author, speaker, coach, and nonprofit consultant. She draws on decades of experience to explore how achievement culture shapes leadership and identity, helping individuals and organizations rethink success and build more aligned ways of working, leading, and living. Dr. Ramos' soon to be published book Achieving to be Seen (working title) is a narrative nonfiction in which she shares her personal and lived experiences with what she refers to as the Visibility Cycle and shares with other high achieving women the trap of achievement and how they can break free of it and reclaim their lives and their peace.
About Dr. Michelle Ramos
Michelle Ramos’s work has always been about people.
Over the past 20 years, in the nonprofit arts and social justice sectors, she has led organizations, guided teams, and supported leaders through moments of growth, challenge, and transformation. As a licensed attorney and former executive director, she built a reputation not just for what she accomplished, but for how she led—grounded in integrity, clarity, and a deep commitment to the humans at the center of the work.
Long before she formally named it as coaching, Michelle was already doing the work—developing leaders, holding space for reflection, and helping people see themselves more clearly. Again and again, people would say things like, “You helped me feel seen and understood,” “You saw things in me I didn’t even see in myself,” and “You helped me recognize that I am a leader.” What she offered wasn’t just strategy—it was a shift. A move away from constant doing, and toward a more intentional way of being.
Her background in law continues to shape her work, bringing a steady, thoughtful awareness of legal risk and compliance into the guidance she offers leaders and organizations. At the same time, her PhD in psychology allows her to understand people at a deeper level—through behavior, patterns, and interpersonal dynamics—giving her a unique ability to navigate both the structural and human sides of leadership.
Today, Michelle partners with leaders and mission-driven organizations who want to grow without losing themselves in the process. Her work supports people in building cultures that are healthy, sustainable, and aligned—where individuals and teams can thrive over the long term.
At the center of it all is a simple belief: When people are supported as whole human beings, better leadership—and better organizations—naturally follow.
Values That Guide My Work
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Loyalty
Committed to standing alongside the people and communities at the center of the work, especially when circumstances become complex or difficult.
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Trust
Activating environments grounded in transparency, accountability, and mutual respect, where people can work with confidence and openness.
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Honesty
Willingness to name difficult truths about institutions, power, and culture—even when those conversations are uncomfortable.
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Justice
Dedication to a belief that institutions should move toward greater fairness, dignity, and equity for the people they affect.
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Integrity
Dedicated to alignment with your values and showing up consistently in the ways you ask others to.
Education & Certifications
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University of San Francisco
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California Western University
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Golden Gate University
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Capella University
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Spencer Institute
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Ford Foundation
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INTRAC
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Court of Master Sommeliers
Board Memberships
Michelle is the proud mother of Broadway choreographer Ellenore Scott, and her own life has been shaped by creativity, discipline, and a deep love of expression. A retired professional ballet dancer and lifelong artist, she continues to stay connected to movement through teaching and performance, including as a Mardi Gras performer in her home city of New Orleans.
Her path is one of both determination and joy. Raised by a single mother and the first in her family to graduate from college, Michelle brings a lived understanding of resilience, identity, and possibility as a multiracial woman who is also conversational in Spanish.
Beyond her professional work, Michelle is an endurance athlete, having completed multiple Ironman triathlons and marathons—an extension of her belief in discipline, longevity, and pushing beyond perceived limits. She is also a violinist, a passionate traveler, an avid foodie, and an introductory certified sommelier who enjoys the richness of culture and experience in all its forms.
These days, she embraces her New Orleans lifestyle as a grandmother, cat mom, and community member—grounded in family, celebration, and a deep appreciation for life’s moments, both big and small.
Let’s Get Personal
