Michelle Patterson, MBA, has more than 20 years experience in marketing and sales in both newspaper and book publishing. Her expertise includes successful leadership in planning and leading business strategies in support of goals and objectives, developing partnerships/alliances, branding, market planning, and strategy.

Her most recent role was as the Executive Director of Marketing for a division of Kaplan Inc, one of the largest diversified educational companies. In that capacity, Ms. Patterson helped launch a new product line into the marketplace to replace an existing product increasing annual sales by 12%.

Ms. Patterson’s prior professional roles were with Globe Pequot Press, Inc, John Wiley & Sons, Random House, Hungry Minds, Macmillan Publishing, Pearson Education and Howard Publications.

In fall 2001, Ms. Patterson became an Adjunct Instructor at New York University’s School for Professional Studies and Continuing Education Program in their Publishing program.

Ms. Patterson uses her expertise as an Account Director for the Taproot Foundation where she spearheads a team to help non-profit organizations create websites.

Ms. Patterson is an active member of her professional community through memberships and leadership roles, e.g.: Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Women in Communications, American Marketing Association and National Black MBA Association—Metro New York Chapter where she has served as an elected office for the VP of Communications (2009, 2004). Prior positions included Economic Development Chair (2003), Program Chair (2001-2002) and the Co Chair for the Scholarship and Awards Reception (2000).

Ms. Patterson earned her Master of Business Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago. Prior to her graduate studies, Ms. Patterson worked as department manager for Nordstrom Department Stores.