Leadership

Michelle Nicholson

As chief people officer, Michelle delivers advanced, specialized and transformational human resources solutions to support the overall success of the organization. She helps cultivate a strong culture, especially as the organization and employee needs cause the culture to evolve.  Her core expertise involves developing strategies to ensure that HR initiatives and programs—such as recruitment, onboarding, teambuilding and recognition—reinforce the organization’s culture and values.

Michelle is an empathetic, innovative and deliberate human resources executive with over 15 years of progressive experience in human resources management. Michelle comes to Polaris from a non-profit senior care organization, where she served as director of Human Resources.  Previously Michelle held HR leadership roles at a federally qualified health center, public charter schools, and trade associations in the Washington metropolitan area.

She is the board chair of the Tri-County Workforce Development Board and a board member of Not Just Spectators LLC. Michelle received a Master’s of Arts degrees from Webster University in Human Resources Management and a second Master’s degree in Human Resources Development, a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Bowie State University.

Michelle is a thought leader and strategist with a proven track record of talent engagement, change management, and strategic planning, with the goal of uplifting, inspiring, encouraging others to be their best selves.

Toward that end, Michelle has designed and implemented HR systems, policies, and programs that build collaborative teams, foster staff development, and drive organizational results.  She brings deep and comprehensive HR expertise, including in HR policy, professional recruitment, employee engagement, employment law, performance programs, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Need help? Polaris operates the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline.