Michaela is the founder and advisor of Priyam Global, a nonprofit dedicated to making the world more beautiful by equipping mothers of children with disabilities in India to rise out of poverty. Michaela and her team developed a women’s empowerment model specialized for mothers raising a child with disability within the existing challenges of poverty. These mothers are least likely to have a support network, most likely to place their child in an orphanage, and in addition to skills training need an initial phase of intensive support and mentorship to overcome years of isolation. Michaela earned a master’s degree in public health from Indiana University and also works as a global health communications consultant and health research editor. Learn more about her life’s work at www.priyamglobal.org
What makes me come alive: pursuing connection with people and earth around the world, finding and cultivating beauty, and being anywhere near mountains, in a forest, or by the sea