Michelle (Mich) Strange is the founder & facilitator of Affirming Energy, which focuses on cultivating community through restorative dialogue, training, and coaching. Michelle also serves as the inaugural Director of Restorative Practices at Bellevue College, advancing equity in higher education, business, and community organizations. Specializing in developing train-the-trainer modules to coach staff, faculty, and student leaders on preventing and repairing harms within their organizations, classes, departments, and communities. 

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Michelle consults teams seeking to strategically integrate restorative practices into their organizational structures by curating restorative spaces that foster healing, community building, and accountability. As an Intergroup Dialogue facilitator and trainer, Michelle has established affinity group spaces for marginalized communities and cross-issue organizing spaces for groups to engage across difference, especially as it relates to power. 

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With over 15 years of experience uplifting marginalized communities in higher education, Michelle has a Bachelor’s in Theatre and Master’s in Higher Education & Student Affairs. Michelle’s holistic, somatic, and embodied approach is quickly making her the most sought-after leader in advancing restorative practices in higher education in the Pacific Northwest. With attention to power dynamics and trauma-informed practices, Michelle builds solidarity through restorative practices that aim to build and restore trust while cultivating a sense of belonging.