Michelle Dowdy currently serves as the Executive Director of the American Red Cross Blue Ridge chapter, a role she has held for the past nine years. In her role she acts as the face of the Red Cross while educating the community of the various services the Red Cross provides. Michelle leads a team through influence while also leading an active board and volunteers. Her greatest accomplishments come from partnerships that have grown to not only provide funds but also play a part in mission delivery. Each year she hosts a community event in conjunction with her board to share lifesaving stories making the impact of the Red Cross relevant to attendees. Michelle thinks the best way to ensure success is to identify and celebrate partnerships.

Her background includes various non-profits including United Way of Tampa Bay where she built a volunteer program. Later moving out west and working for Encompass of Northwest (North Bend Washington) again building a volunteer program later transitioning to development and events at Humankind in Lynchburg, Va followed by the American Cancer Society as a community manager in addition missions work and a few years as an adjunct professor for Grand Canyon University. She earned a bachelor’s at the University of North Florida, a master’s in journalism from the University of South Florida and an additional master’s in religion from Liberty University.