Overview
About Nancy E. Michael's work in her own words
With 15+ years of community development and stakeholder engagement experience, I am a passionate community strategist specializing in trauma-informed development. I help nonprofits like HigherSelf scale their vision, build trusted coalitions, and deliver measurable results. My focus: expanding opportunity, healing communities, and supporting youth and families with innovative programming—from Newark to the national stage.
My approach combines strategic relationship-building, grassroots engagement, and direct service coordination to create ecosystems where communities can heal, grow, and flourish.
Core Expertise
Stakeholder Engagement & Coalition Building
I excel at bringing diverse stakeholders together—nonprofits, government agencies, businesses, and community members— to create powerful coalitions. I facilitate collaborative efforts that align organizational missions with community needs, building trust and fostering partnerships that drive sustainable change.
Community Resource Facilitation
I connect individuals and organizations with essential resources and services. Through strategic relationship-building and deep community knowledge, I identify gaps in service delivery and ensure equitable access to resources. My work creates pathways for communities to access support they need to heal and thrive.
Direct Service Coordination & Program Development
I design and coordinate programs that deliver direct services with compassion and efficiency. From program conception to implementation, I ensure that services are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and meet the real needs of the communities we serve.
Trauma-Informed Community Development
Understanding that healing is foundational to community growth, I apply trauma-informed principles to all my work. I create safe, inclusive spaces where individuals and communities can process experiences, build resilience, and access the support needed for positive childhood, community, and workplace experiences.
Youth Trade School & Gamified Training Program Development
I coordinate comprehensive trade school development programs and innovative gamified training initiatives designed to engage youth in hands-on, skill-building experiences. My work bridges education, workforce development, and youth engagement through strategic partnerships with leading developers and corporate partners. I design programs that combine practical vocational training with interactive, game-based learning to increase youth participation, retention, and skill mastery. Additionally, I provide direct services through teaching, workshops, and capacity-building courses that equip youth and community members with in-demand trade skills and digital literacy.
Experience & Track Record
HigherSelf - Essential Partner in Expansion & Youth Programming
Nonprofit Organization | Since 2012 | Expanding into New Jersey
I have been essential to HigherSelf's expansion into New Jersey, playing a critical role in coordinating with multiple stakeholders to bring transformative programming to community members. My work has focused on youth programming and services, ensuring that young people have access to opportunities that support their growth and development.
HigherSelf provides comprehensive services including housing support, small business development, artistic and cultural programs, and specialized youth programming that help individuals and families build stable, thriving lives. Through strategic stakeholder coordination and relationship management, I've been instrumental in expanding HigherSelf's reach and impact across New Jersey communities.
National Impact Highlight:
• Spearheaded HigherSelf's New Jersey launch—growing youth programming by 300% in two years
• Built partnerships with 15+ agencies, mobilizing over $1M for youth employment, trauma recovery, and artistic empowerment
• Directly served 5,000+ individuals with holistic, culturally responsive services
The 7 Space Art Gallery & Wellness Center - Youth Programming Coordinator
Downtown Newark | Established 2024
I played a central role in establishing The 7 Space Art Gallery & Wellness Center in downtown Newark— a transformative space created in partnership with the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery and The City of Newark. This project exemplifies my ability to bring stakeholders together and create trauma-informed community spaces.
Five-Week Intensive Summer Program for High-Risk and At-Risk Youth
I was essential in coordinating a comprehensive five-week intensive summer program designed specifically for high-risk and at-risk youth. This program was developed in partnership with:
- SYEP (Summer Youth Employment Program)
- OVPTR (Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery)
Through my coordination and management of relationships with community partners and corporate stakeholders, the program offered youth a diverse range of opportunities to choose from:
- Art Intensives - Creative expression and artistic skill development
- Customer Service & Hospitality Training - Professional skills and employment readiness
- Coding - Technology and digital literacy skills
- Small Business & Trade Programming - Entrepreneurship and vocational training
Impact in First Year: Served over 1,000 community members with free healing, artistic, and wellness services. Coordinated multi-stakeholder partnerships to deliver specialized youth programming across arts, technology, business, and hospitality sectors.
Trade School Development & Gamified Youth Training Programs - Program Coordinator
New Jersey | Ongoing Initiative
I coordinate comprehensive trade school development programs and innovative gamified training initiatives designed to equip youth with in-demand vocational and technical skills. Working in close collaboration with leading corporate partners and developers, I design and implement programs that combine hands-on trade training with interactive, game-based learning experiences to maximize youth engagement and skill retention.
Strategic Corporate Partnerships for Trade School Development
I have established and maintained strategic partnerships with industry leaders to advance trade school development across New Jersey:
- Metro Power - Coordinating trade school development initiatives and workforce readiness programs
- The Piper Family of Companies (Piper Partners Inc.) - Collaborating on comprehensive trade school development and vocational training programs for New Jersey youth
Program Components & Direct Services
My work encompasses multiple dimensions of youth workforce development:
- Trade School Program Coordination - Designing and implementing vocational training programs in partnership with corporate stakeholders
- Gamified Training Development - Creating interactive, game-based learning experiences that increase youth engagement and skill mastery
- Direct Teaching & Instruction - Delivering workshops and courses that build technical skills and workforce readiness
- Capacity Building - Providing professional development and training to educators and program coordinators
- Long-Term Sustainability Models - Developing sustainable funding and partnership structures to ensure program continuity and scalability
Program Impact: Coordinating multi-sector partnerships to deliver innovative trade school and gamified training programs that prepare youth for high-demand careers in skilled trades, technology, and emerging industries. Building sustainable models that leverage corporate expertise and community resources to create pathways for youth economic mobility and career success.
Strategic Partnerships & Collaborations
My work demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships. I have collaborated with leading organizations across Newark and Essex County to create meaningful community impact. These partnerships showcase my ability to bridge sectors and amplify organizational reach:
SYEP - Summer Youth Employment Program
Newark Youth One Stop Career Center
Mission: Providing summer employment opportunities and career development for Newark youth
SYEP is a critical workforce development initiative that connects young people with meaningful employment and professional skills training. Through my partnership with SYEP, I have helped coordinate youth programming that bridges employment readiness with community development. The program serves hundreds of Newark youth annually, providing paid work experience, mentorship, and pathways to career advancement.
Partnership Focus: Youth employment coordination, career pathway development, and multi-stakeholder engagement to expand program reach across Newark and East Orange
OVPTR - Office of Violence Prevention & Trauma Recovery
Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery
Mission: Reducing violence and supporting trauma recovery in Newark communities
OVPTR is a city-wide initiative dedicated to violence prevention and trauma-informed community healing. As a key partner, I have collaborated on multiple initiatives including the establishment of The 7 Space Art Gallery & Wellness Center and the coordination of comprehensive youth programming. OVPTR operates multiple community centers and programs focused on healing, restorative justice, and violence prevention across Newark's neighborhoods.
Partnership Focus: Trauma-informed program development, community healing initiatives, youth violence prevention, and multi-sector coordination for sustainable community safety
Brick City Peace Collective
Mission: Building community peace through violence intervention and prevention strategies
The Brick City Peace Collective (BCPC) is a division of Newark's Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery, dedicated to implementing community-based violence intervention and prevention strategies. BCPC operates multiple committees focused on data-driven approaches, diversionary programs, rapid response to violence, and reimagining public safety. Through my partnership with BCPC, I have contributed to strategic planning and community engagement efforts that strengthen Newark's collective response to violence.
Partnership Focus: Community violence intervention, strategic planning, stakeholder coordination, and implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies across Newark
These partnerships demonstrate my core strength: bringing diverse stakeholders together to create sustainable community impact. Whether working with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or community-based initiatives, I excel at facilitating collaboration, coordinating resources, and ensuring that organizational missions align with community needs.
Impact & Reach
5,000+
Community members served across Newark and East Orange
15+ Organizations
Private sector, government institutions, and nonprofit consulting
Over $1M Funding Secured
Grant compliance consulting and resource coordination
13+ Years
Community development and stakeholder engagement experience
My work demonstrates a commitment to being a plus for organizations— bringing value, building relationships, and creating lasting positive change in communities.
How Can I Help Your Initiatives?
I bring a unique combination of skills and experience that can strengthen any organization's community impact work:
- Stakeholder Engagement: Build and strengthen relationships with community partners, government agencies, and funders
- Program Development: Design and implement trauma-informed programs that meet real community needs
- Resource Coordination: Connect organizations with resources, funding, and partnerships to expand impact
- Community Facilitation: Serve as a bridge between organizations and the communities they serve
- Strategic Partnerships: Identify and cultivate partnerships that amplify organizational mission and reach
- Organizational Capacity Building: Help organizations strengthen their ability to serve communities effectively
Let's Advance Change
Join me and HigherSelf in building resilient communities.
Ready to collaborate?
→ Schedule a strategic consult
→ Download impact case studies
→ Partner with us on trauma-informed youth programming
→ Advocate with us nationwide—contact me for collaboration opportunities
Contact Information
Email: nancy.michael@dol.nj.gov
Phone: (973) 354-6235
Organization: State of New Jersey
Department: The Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Division: Employment Services