The National Fund for Workforce Solutions is excited to announce Michelle Rafferty as our new chief program officer.
Michelle has more than 15 years of experience in workforce development and has dedicated her career to reducing unemployment and poverty while promoting equity.
She most recently served as the chief strategy and operating officer for Detroit Employment Solutions Corporations, the engine driving Detroit at Work, where she has been responsible for leading the redesign of the public workforce development system to be human-centered, accessible, and technology-enabled and better serve Detroit job seekers. She was also responsible for creating a comprehensive plan to further racial equity through skills development and removing barriers to good jobs.
Michelle started her career at the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, serving in a variety of roles. She managed workforce development services at a community-based organization in Little Village, a Mexican-American and immigrant neighborhood in Chicago, and ran a citywide job initiative for juvenile justice involved youth living in Chicago neighborhoods facing high rates of violence.
“Michelle is deeply committed to this work, and I am thrilled to bring her expertise and energy to our team,” said National Fund President and CEO Amanda Cage. “Her aptitude for building and sustaining collaborative relationships within and across organizations will help the National Fund uphold our mission.”
As chief program officer, Rafferty will serve as a critical member of the executive team to articulate and implement the strategic vision of the organization and oversee the National Fund’s program portfolio across our four solutions.
“I am excited to join the National Fund to help advance equity and drive positive change at multiple levels, including within the workplace, across systems, and for workers and their families,” said Rafferty. “I look forward to supporting and learning from our national network.”
Outside of work, she enjoys playing video games with her two sons, ages 5 and 7, spending time with her family (including the in-laws!), and trying to make her husband laugh.
