We are pleased to announce Michelle Morales as our new Chicago Executive Director. Michelle brings more than eighteen years of nonprofit and youth work experience to Mikva Challenge, most recently serving as Associate Director at the Alternative Schools Network. Brian Brady will take on the role of Mikva Challenge’s National Director.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors of Mikva Challenge, I am delighted to welcome Michelle as the new Chicago Executive Director,” said Board President, Andrea Jett-Fletcher. “Her wealth of experience and demonstrated leadership in working with youth will guide Mikva Challenge in aggressively pursuing our mission moving forward.”
As the Chicago Executive Director, Michelle will oversee the Chicago operations of Mikva Challenge, an organization that develops over 8000 youth from low-income communities to be informed, empowered, and active citizens and community leaders through action civics. Founded in 1998 by Abner J. Mikva, former Judge, Congressman, and White House Council, and his wife, Zoe, an educator and activist, Mikva Challenge has now expanded to Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and is providing training and support to teachers around the country. “It’s an honor to join Mikva Challenge.” Michelle said. “Youth voice and participation are key to unlocking critical issues here in Chicago and beyond. I am excited and look forward to further enhancing the vision started by Ab and Zoe Mikva and continued by Brian Brady and the outstanding board and staff.”
Michelle’s community involvement and youth development work has included serving as a teacher and an assistant principal at an alternative high school in Humboldt Park, where she saw first hand how disempowerment and marginalization impacts youth of color. She has extensive leadership experience designing, implementing and improving organizational systems for community-based organizations. Please join us in welcoming Michelle! She can be reached at michelle@mikvachallenge.org.
Sincerely,
Mikva Challenge Board of Directors