A native Californian, Michele has resided in the San Lorenzo Valley since 1974; she has also lived in New York City and Ecuador. Her love of literature led to a degree from UC Berkeley, while her career as an early childhood educator and teacher trainer at Cabrillo College and UCSC gave her a deep understanding of early literacy. As a volunteer in her community, she chaired the Felton Farmers Market Board and was a campaign manager for Friends of Locally Owned Water. In 2005 she co-founded Felton Library Friends, advocating for a new library and park. After the passage of Measure S, she co-chaired a successful community campaign for amenities for the Felton Branch and the adjacent Discovery Park. An avid reader, gardener, and hiker, she is passionate about the role of libraries and parks in supporting healthy communities, and remains deeply involved in Felton Library Friends.