Michelle Thomas is the Director of Training and Program Development for The Mentoring Partnership of SWPA. Michelle works with mentoring programs, community leaders and volunteers to ensure high-quality mentoring is available and provided to youth in Western PA.  She serves as an advocate for best-practices in mentoring in a wide variety of youth serving organizations, such as schools, libraries, sport leagues, and after-school programs.

Michelle has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master’s Degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  She has worked in the field of education for well over a decade and is a firm believer that quality mentoring opportunities for youth and young adults has the ability to change lives (academically, personally, and professionally).  Michelle currently serves as a mentor (Strong Leader) for Strong Women Strong Girls.