Comm Lead Luminaries Salon — The Fighter: Michele Storms

Join UW Communication Leadership Grad Program co-founder Hanson Hosein for an intimate salon series with three luminaries who have used story, strategy and relationship to succeed as communication leaders: “The Framer, the Fighter and the Founder."

The Fighter: Executive Director, ACLU Washington, Michele Storms.

About Hanson Hosein

Hanson Hosein is the Co-Founder of the Communication Leadership graduate program at the University of Washington and the President of HRH Media Group LLC, a media production and communications strategy firm that has worked with organizations such as REI, Factal, Microsoft, Tableau Software, and the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Hanson is presently intent on recalibrating the power dynamic between people and technology as Co-Principal of MIRA! — Mobilize Innovation, Reimagine Agency — a community-first approach to learning and innovation. He's also developing new curriculum around emergent leadership for a variety of organizations. Hanson in an award-winning documentary filmmaker and former broadcast journalist, earning an Emmy while working with NBC News in overseas conflict zones. He's the host of the UW's "Co-Existing with COVID-19" Public Lectures series, and leads conversations on misinformation in partnership with the UW Center for an Informed Public.

About Michele Storms

ACLU of Washington executive director Michele Storms is a recognized leader in racial justice and civil rights advocacy. A fierce advocate for civil rights and civil liberties in Washington, she has a history of building successful programs in service to civil rights, civil liberties, and civil legal aid.

Prior to becoming the executive director in 2019, Michele served for two years as Deputy Director of the ACLU-WA, managing a team of public policy advocates, leading the organization’s efforts to reform police practices across the state and leading race equity initiatives in the organization.

Prior to joining the ACLU-WA, Michele was Assistant Dean for Public Service and founding Executive Director of the Gates Public Service Law Program at the University of Washington School of Law. There she developed a program to prepare young lawyers for a lifetime commitment to public service. She has also worked with a number of Washington’s foremost civil rights and racial justice organizations, including the Northwest Justice Project, Columbia Legal Services, and Evergreen Legal Services. Michele has also served on the Washington State Access to Justice Board, the OneAmerica Board of Directors, and as board member and secretary of Management Information Exchange.

Michele was honored with the 2019 Betty Binns Fletcher Leadership and Justice Award by Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association (MAMA) Seattle. She was also named Outstanding Lawyer for 2018 by the King County Bar Association. In 2016, The Washington State Bar Association and the Washington State Access to Justice Board awarded Michele the Norm Maleng Leadership Award. In 2008, she received the Staff Person of the Year Award from the University of Washington Law School Student Body. Over the years, Michele has provided training and has written on topics such as leadership and diversity while also facilitating meetings and retreats for nonprofit organizations.

Michele earned her law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola Marymount University.

Upcoming salon series:

The Founder: Global CEO and Founder WE Worldwide Communications

Melissa Waggener Zorkin, Friday, April 9th, 4 p.m.

*The Zoom webinar link will be provided 1 hour before the event starts

Any questions? Please contact Evelyne Kuo at evelyne1@uw.edu