Bio

Michelle is the Chief of Administrative Hearings of the Department of Social Services' (DSS) Administrative Hearings Section. Michelle is responsible for managing a 45-member team spread out over four units. The Child Support Unit conducts administrative hearings for the establishment, modification, and enforcement of child support orders. The three Benefits Units conduct administrative hearings for public assistance applicants and recipients through due process hearings to determine whether the denial or termination of public benefits was justified. Overall, the Administrative Hearings Section historically conducts an average of over 13,000 hearings per year. Michelle has served in all three branches of state government, first as Office Attorney for Senator J.B. “Jet” Banks, Assistant Legal Counsel to the late Governor Mel Carnahan, and Law Clerk to The Honorable Duane Benton during his tenure on the Supreme Court of Missouri. After serving as an Administrative Hearings Officer in the Administrative Hearings Unit for 11 years, she was promoted to Managing Attorney in July 2018 (the position she held during her time in the State of Missouri Leadership Academy), then Chief of Administrative Hearings in November 2021. She earned her Lean Six Sigma Green Belt in January 2020 and has served on the DSS Operational Excellence Team. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from The University of New Orleans, a Juris Doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law, and a Masters of Law in Dispute Resolution from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Michelle’s biggest takeaway from Missouri Leadership Academy it is quite possible to remain focused on and achieve your end goal, but still be flexible to accommodate personnel and program changes.