AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Michele Reynolds has received multiple awards for her outreach work and humanitarian efforts. In 2005, she was honored with the ‘Employer Excellence Award’ by the Ohio Rehabilitative Services Commission. In 2015, she received the Jerry Revish ‘Restoring Citizen Award’ and the Gary A. Mohr, Director’s Award by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. In 2016, she was bestowed with a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from former President Barack Obama. In 2017, she was awarded the Community Champion Award by The Finance Fund and the Jonathan Jasper Wright Award by the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. In 2018, she was conferred an honorary Doctorate degree in Humanities from CICA University and International Seminary. In 2019, Michele was inducted into the Ohio Commodores and received a 2019 Central Ohio Social Justice Award for Outstanding Leadership.

EDUCATION

Michele Reynolds graduated from Buckeye Local High School with honors in the top 10% of her class. She earned a full academic scholarship to attend college at the University of Cincinnati. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati, Master of Arts in Public Administration and Urban Studies from the University of Akron, Master of Law from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from CICA International University and Seminary, and All But Dissertation for her earned doctorate degree in Business Administration from Northcentral University. Michele attended Hondros College and is a licensed Real Estate Salesperson in the State of Ohio, specializing in Commercial Real Estate.

EXPERIENCE

As a young professional, Michele worked in public service and held various positions in City and County government including Assistant Clerk of the Board of the Hamilton County Commissioners, and the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development in Akron, Ohio. After leaving the public sector to build a career in the private, nonprofit sector, Michele ran for countywide office 19 years later as the endorsed Republican Candidate for Franklin County Commissioner.  In 2019, she was elected Township Trustee for Madison Township in Franklin County.

Michele Reynolds is a faith leader, public servant and successful business owner with over 25 years of professional experience in business, government and non-profit management. She was appointed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine as the Director of the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, where she managed a $13.5M budget. She operates multiple businesses in 5 Ohio cities, including Columbus, Akron, Mansfield, Chillicothe and Cleveland. She is a former adjunct instructor of Kaplan College, where she taught in the Criminal Justice Technology program for 3 years.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Housed over 5000 returning citizens in affordable housing settings across Ohio.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Created more than 200 jobs, 8 successful businesses, and launched a business incubator to support the needs of entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners in Central Ohio.

ELECTED OFFICE

Worked with fellow Trustees to help modernize Madison Township. Secured grant funding for the local police department. Increased fiscal transparency, increased revenue with the sale of real estate, and helped cut government spending. Worked to increase public safety, improve community engagement by creating a Citizens Advisory Committee and At-Risk Resident Registry.

FAITH LEADER

Helped over 250 nonprofit organizations secure more than $40 million in state funding to help continue their mission and build organizational capacity.