Michelle Stephens

Economic Development Research Specialist

Michelle's experiences growing up on a cattle ranch in the foothills of California prompted her interest in economic development, with a specific emphasis on rural areas. After completing her Master's in Community & Regional Planning at the University of Texas at Austin, she interned with the International Economic Development Council in Washington DC and then decided to move back to her native California to work on improving the economic opportunities for rural and agricultural communities.

Michelle is working as an Economic Development Research Specialist with CALED, focusing on two grants; a USDA grant, which analyzes sustainable economic development organization structures, and an EDA grant focused on Revolving Loan Funds in California.