Current Role
As Director of Applied Research Services, Michelle Schneider leads a stakeholder-informed process to build and scale our applied research capabilities. She collaborates across functions — including product, marketing, legal, and client delivery — to ensure research is timely, actionable, and aligned with strategic priorities. She also represents applied research on the Research, Innovation, and New Content Creation leadership team, helping to drive alignment and shared learning across the organization.
Michelle continues to serve as a thought partner and evaluator for social sector initiatives, including our Amplify program (formerly PropelNext), where she contributes to curriculum design, evaluation strategy, and market alignment.
Experience
Michelle brings over 20 years of experience at the intersection of research, leadership development, and nonprofit practice. In her current role as Director of Applied Research Services, she leads a new enterprise-wide function focused on delivering high-impact, practice-focused research that informs program design, product innovation, and client engagement. In this role, she is responsible for setting the applied research agenda, building a high-performing team, and ensuring research insights are integrated across our leadership development ecosystem.
Michelle’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to the social sector. She has led research and evaluation efforts for nonprofit, philanthropic, and public sector clients, including American Express, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, MDRC, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Prior to joining us, she served in a range of nonprofit leadership roles — including 10 years as Executive Director of a national youth development organization — and has worked as an AmeriCorps member, donor, board member, and consultant.
She is a certified leadership coach and continues to support nonprofit women leaders through coaching and mentorship. Her research and writing have been featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Training Industry Magazine, and national conferences such as ARNOVA and Independent Sector. She is especially passionate about bridging research and practice to advance equity, leadership, and systems change.
Educational Background
Michelle has a PhD in Leadership Studies, Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leadership, and an MA in Nonprofit Leadership and Management, both from the University of San Diego. She has a BS from Cornell University.
Professional Affiliations and Certifications
Michelle is a member of the American Evaluation Association (AEA), Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA), Association of Certified Nonprofit Professionals (CNP), Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego (FLNSD), Group Relations International (GRI), and International Leadership Association (ILA) .
