Michelle Fishburne, Esq.
National Director, Public Relations and Partnerships
Michelle leads the foundation’s public presence, raising its visibility through news and social media while building strong partnerships that extend its reach and impact.
Michelle joined the Brian Hamilton Foundation in 2018, drawn to its mission of teaching people the skills to start and run businesses so they can support themselves and build financial futures.
Michelle boosted visibility for the foundation and its sister organization, Inmates to Entrepreneurs, by securing national media, amplifying stories across outlets, and forging collaborations with nonprofit, corporate, and government leaders committed to self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship. She also promoted the Starter U video course, taken by tens of thousands.
In 2020, Michelle went out on her own to travel the U.S. and interview hundreds of people about their lives during the pandemic. UNC Press and Duke University turned her work into a book.
She returned to the foundation in 2025 to promote the new Starter U, expanding opportunities for thousands more people to launch businesses and control their financial futures.
A graduate of UVA Law School, Michelle practiced international law in Washington for a decade, then homeschooled her children for many years, after which she returned to work as a national PR and partnerships director for several organizations.
