Michele Lawlis Shelton, CDP, CPC

Michele Lawlis Shelton, CDP, CPC is founding CEO and Principal Consultant of Michele Shelton LLC, a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) consulting firm based in Louisville, KY. As an international speaker, author, executive coach and thought leader on DEI, Michele guides courageous leaders beyond barriers that impede success. As a performance consultant, Michele continues to be a preferred advisor for organizations committed to investing in the creation of inclusive and equitable cultures that acknowledge, affirm and add value to the total experience of every person under their influence. 

For over twenty years, Michele's career in pursuit of justice and equality for others included stages where she has personally seen, suffered, and survived the impact of poor leadership and toxic work cultures. To that end, she remains unapologetically committed to empowering others to join her in confronting and conquering the -ism's that impact our humanity and the bottom line at work and beyond...

Michele has been featured in Who's Who Publications, The Louisville Defender, Courier-Journal, Today's Woman Magazine, radio, podcast and television outlets. An alumna of the University of Louisville and Louisville Seminary, she is a member of the National Speakers Association, Society for Human Resource Management, National Association for Female Executives, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, Leadership Louisville, and holds several certifications for diversity, leadership training, and coaching. 

Michele serves on boards promoting equal opportunity and equity in healthcare, education, employment and entrepreneurship. Currently, she is chair of the University of Louisville College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Council and a member of the advisory board for Talenya, Ltd., board of directors for the Global Economic Diversity Development Initiative (GEDDI), and Healthcare Equity Advisory Board convened by Kentuckiana Health Collaborative, Kentucky Nurses Association, and Have a Heart Clinic. 

A contributing author to three international anthologies, Michele is currently working on her fourth and solo title, The Simplicity of Diversity. She remains available on an international basis to keynote, coach & consult.