As one of RILA’s founding members, Michelle has spent the majority of the past decade working as a legal advocate to help asylum seekers navigate the complexities of the U.S. immigration system. She also works with RILA’s Client Advisory Board to ensure that our work is shaped by the people most familiar with it—current and former clients.

Michelle is passionate about walking with clients through their most difficult moments and reminding them that they are more than their case as they find security in the US. She also enjoys inviting former clients to stay engaged by welcoming those who are newest and most vulnerable to the RILA family.

She gets excited about building community and the upside down kingdom of God that places the poor and the vulnerable at the seat of honor, and she loves getting to hear client success stories when they share them at the annual RILA picnic.