MEET MICHELLE HANCOCK

Every great event needs a calm, capable partner behind the scenes – meet Michelle, the one who makes it all happen.

Lisa combines research, storytelling, and practical wisdom to help organizations and It all started in 1997 when Michelle Hancock joined the Center for Mentoring Excellence in its earliest days, working alongside founder Lois Zachary as she brought a vision of organizational mentoring excellence into reality. Over the years, Michelle has grown with the Center, shaping its operations and building trusted client partnerships that have stood the test of time. Today, as CME’s Director of Operations, Michelle brings her experience in organizational leadership, mentoring, and event coordination to every engagement.

Along the way, she started MTB Business Consulting, earned a certificate in Leading Teams and Organizations from the University of Michigan, and discovered joy in mentoring people of all ages – from high school robotics students to new business owners – because she loves lifting others up wherever she can.

Michelle’s mindset? Your event is about you, your people, and your goals.

Her success metric? Did she make your job easier while helping you shine?

Her mission is simple: to ensure your event feels seamless, impactful, and stress-free from first call to final thank-you

Michelle and Lisa

Your Event Timeline

Before your event
  • Discovery Call
    Every event begins with listening. We take the time to understand your vision, your audience, and your desired outcomes. Backed by thorough research on your organization and stakeholders, we ensure every detail aligns with your strategic goals.
  • Tailored Event Resources
    After your discovery call, you’ll receive a customized planning toolkit—including bios, session descriptions, headshots, and promotional language—making it easy for you to promote your event internally and externally.
  • Responsive Communication
    Michelle prides herself on accessibility and quick turnaround. You’ll always know where things stand, and last-minute surprises are kept to a minimum through proactive communication.
  • On-Time Delivery
    Slide decks, AV specs, travel logistics, and promotional assets are always delivered early. Michelle’s philosophy: preparation is peace of mind, and peace of mind makes events shine.
  • Promo Support
    Want a boost in registration or excitement? We can partner with you to create tailored promotional messages and we will provide a custom short video from Lisa that will engage your audience before the event even begins.
  • Calm in the Chaos
    On event day, Michelle and CME’s team monitor communication channels for any last-minute needs. You’re never alone—we’ve got your back from start to finish.
  • Engaged Presence
    From ensuring tech runs smoothly to coordinating timing cues and transitions, Michelle works behind the scenes so you can stay fully present with your audience.
  • Social Media Engagement (Optional)
    Need live social coverage or event-day amplification? CME can collaborate with your team to share highlights, capture moments, and extend the reach of your event in real time.
After your event
  • Audience Insights
    We can gather audience feedback and share key takeaways, “aha” moments, and engagement trends, helping you understand the impact of the session beyond the applause.
  • Extended Learning Opportunities
    Want to build on the momentum? Center for Mentoring Excellence offers follow-up workshops, virtual masterclasses, and deeper-dive experiences to help your audience apply what they’ve learned and keep the conversation alive.
  • Trusted Partner Network
    With decades of experience in mentoring and leadership development, we are happy to connect you with other trusted partners, facilitators, or resources to support your broader goals. Once you’ve worked together, you’re part of the CME family!

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“Your leadership and thought-provoking approach enabled all of us to ‘turn the dial’ on our thinking about Inclusion and Equity. I am so pleased with the discussions, engagement, and interactions that continue to ‘roll around in our heads’.”

— Julie Kearney, Exec VP of People Services, Lease Crutcher Lewis