About me
Michaela is a veteran of the fitness industry with over 20 years of experience as an athlete, athletic coach, personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and successful studio owner. A major highlight of her athletic career is her distinction as the first, African American letter-winner and captain of the Georgetown University women’s field hockey team.
Michaela is currently a General Manager at VIDA Fitness & Aura Spa. She also serves Urban Adventures Companies as a founding member and the three-term chairwoman of its diversity and inclusion board – the first of its kind in the fitness industry. Her leadership style is described as inclusive, tenacious, energetic, collaborative, motivational, and impactful, as she continues to drive organizational excellence, team comradery, and a welcoming wellness environment for all stakeholders.
Michaela is a seasoned public speaker and educator. She is the top DEI advisor for the Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA) and serves on the IHRSA Foundation Board of Directors. Since 2021, her DEI and inclusive leadership sessions have been a popular draw at IHRSA conventions. Michaela also led lectures at the National Maternal and Infant Health Summit and was the keynote speaker at the 2022 Georgetown University Senior Athletic Banquet.
Michaela is currently pursuing a master’s degree in human relations with a concentration in inclusive leadership. She already holds a graduate certificate in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business, and a bachelor's degree in political science with dual minor degrees in Japanese Language and Communications from Georgetown University. Over the last four years, Michaela has focused much of her learning, development, and energy on emotional intelligence, diversity and inclusion intervention initiatives, organizational transformation models, conflict management strategies, and business maturity plans.
Michaela’s contributions can be found on the pages of major industry publications like Club Solutions and Club Business International (CBI). She has also been featured on networks like CNN, BET, and WJLA-7.