Michelle Purl is originally from Minnesota but has called Florida home for 32 years. A graduate from Florida State University, she started her nonprofit career working on a wagon train with delinquent youth and has worked with Boys & Girls Club, counseled abused children, and was a Child Protection investigator. In her 4 ½ years at United Way of Lake & Sumter Counties she helped to establish their Master Teacher program and transformed their fundraising to a modern campaign style. She is dedicated to her family, and they can often be found volunteering in the community with her. Creating change is never easy but working collectively we can have better insight, solutions, and resources. She became the CEO of United Way of Central Louisiana in 2021 and is excited to be a part of the community. Check out her TedTalk: The Business of Charity.