When I stepped into my role as the Executive Director of WellShare International in

 2019, the world was a very different place. My journey began with a vision for the more beautiful, equitable world I knew was possible.  I have always had an internal drive to change the things necessary for all people to experience the most whole, healthy life possible. What a gift it was to find an organization with a similar life purpose.

The organization at that time had a very strong 40-year-old foundation built by many who crafted the relations and ways of working necessary to inspire trust in WellShare’s ability to advance health equity.  I joined a small and mighty team that despite prevalent systemic inequities, chose to show up every day in service to equity – even when most of the world around us wasn’t ready to do the same.  The world, locally and globally, has changed significantly over the past five years.  Repeatedly, we positioned ourselves to fuel this change – as well as to seize new opportunities as they arose.

Our mission and way of changemaking are made for these times. 

Given the strengths of the organization, the state of its spirit and soul, I feel the time is ripe for me to retire from nonprofit leadership work and create a space for new people and energy to path find in the years to come. Our Board has never been more robust in numbers and talent.  They, in partnership with our leadership team, have crafted a transition plan to support the optimal functioning of our organization during and after completion of the search for the next Executive Director.

It is with great honor and gratitude that I thank the many friends of WellShare for allowing me to serve as their leader. There is an intimacy I have experienced at WellShare unlike anything I have experienced elsewhere in my career. As I anticipate a sense of loss of the day-to-day excitement and reward of leading this amazing organization, I am also filled with gratitude for our current team of highly accomplished and dedicated leaders. 

As we envision the next 50 years, we carry forth the values, lessons, and dreams of the many that are interwoven into the unique fabric of WellShare. Thank YOU for making our work possible through your ongoing commitment and support of the WellShare mission. 

In gratitude,

Michelle Heerey,
Executive Director