Michelle Westfort

Michelle is the Chief University Officer at InStride where she leads the supply side of the business including academic partnership development, learning operations, partner success, workforce solutions and business strategy. She’s typically at the center of product innovation and driving new initiatives that catalyze organizations to think differently about learning and credentials for working adults.In over 20 years, she’s held commercial roles leading business development, marketing, recruitment and enrollment focused on online programs, globalization, alternative pathways and career education at companies including The Learning House (acquired by Wiley), Navitas and Education Management Corporation. She started her career at Snelling Search, helping build the first online platform for recent college graduates beginning their careers in financeMichelle studied Leadership through Harvard Business School’s executive education program, Global Management at INSEAD in Singapore and holds a Doctor of Education from Argosy University (Org Leadership) where she researched leadership in the remote and virtual context. She also holds a Master of Arts from New Jersey City University (Counseling) and a Bachelor of Arts from Monmouth University (Psychology). She’s also an online education enthusiast and completed certificates in interest areas like negotiation, strategy, design thinking, impact investing, ESG and financial modeling.