Michelle Vaeth believes that “volunteerism is both the fire and the glue which fuels and forges community building around the world.” Joining Junior League of Cincinnati (JLC) in 2002 ignited Michelle’s passion for community impact work and sparked her interest in leadership roles. Most notably, Michelle served as President of JLC and on The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) Board as the Vice President, and as an At-Large Director. She is currently a Sustainer in JLC.

As an AJLI At-Large Director, Michelle was devoted to helping individual Leagues feel connected to the Association. She co-chaired the Strategic Linkage Committee to provide strategic, meaningful outreach between the AJLI Board and Junior League leaders. She also chaired the committee for the Small League Fast Track Renewal Plan, which identified more than 30 vulnerable small Leagues in need of fundamental strengthening and set them up for stabilization and growth. As a Board lead on the A Seat at the Table Task Force, Michelle focused on creating a fair and balanced process by which the Association could speak on behalf of Leagues. The final version of this issues process was approved by a large majority of members and led to the creation of the AJLI Board Issues Committee.

In her role as President of JLC, Michelle re-instituted the League’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; pioneered a new a fundraising strategy; co-led the redesign of JLC infrastructure and operations to improve organizational efficiency and member experience; and implemented training, programming, and revamped policies to systematically address root causes of JLC member resignation.

Michelle has won an array of marketing and communications awards, most recently a 2016 Silver Anvil, and was named one of Venue Magazine’s “Great Leaders Under 40.” She currently serves on the board of the Tompkins County SPCA and has lent her leadership skills to a variety of other boards over the years.

As the Associate Vice President for Alumni Affairs at Cornell University, Michelle leads alumni affairs and alumni and donor communications, marketing, participation, and events management. She credits the Junior League with giving her the skills to pivot careers multiple times.

Michelle earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, with a concentration in Neurobiology and Animal Behavior from Cornell University.