Dr. Michelle Heyn has been a dedicated member of the YWCA St. Paul Board of Directors for the past year and has served on our Fundraising & Donor Development Committee where her expertise, strategic thinking, and passion for our mission have already made a significant impact. She brings a profound commitment to health equity and women’s rights—values that align deeply with YWCA St. Paul’s mission. She believes in helping others achieve their dreams. Her work reflects a consistent focus on advancing opportunities for women, particularly women of color, and fostering partnerships that drive meaningful change in our community.
With over fifteen years of industry experience, her expertise in change management, program design and implementation, Michelle will help accelerate our impact both internally and externally building partnership and making new connections. She earned a PhD in Natural Resources Science and Management, and Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Minnesota. Her MBA in marketing is from the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, and her B.S. in business and economics is from St. Catherine University— where her dedication to women and social justice was solidified.
As Chief Advancement Officer, Michelle leads YWCA St. Paul’s efforts to elevate our fundraising strategies, strengthen donor relationships, and amplify our mission through impactful marketing and communications. Her strategic mindset and focus on utilizing data to inform and refine our approach will play a pivotal role in sustaining our operations and in driving meaningful outcomes for our organization. Michelle’s passion for health equity, empowering women, and fostering community partnerships makes her uniquely equipped to help YWCA St. Paul move into its next chapter of growth and change.
