Michelle Burris is a fellow at The Century Foundation, where she focuses on advancing economic equity and workforce inclusion through research and advocacy. Michelle directs the Industry and Inclusion Cohort, a national initiative designed to bolster economic equity by increasing the success of people of color in manufacturing programs and jobs, and co-leads a twenty-member task force addressing the underrepresentation of historically marginalized individuals in careers that require advanced education and training, with a particular emphasis on gender and racial equity.
Prior to her current role, Michelle was a senior policy associate at The Century Foundation, contributing to national research on school and housing diversity. Previously, while a research associate at Columbia University, Michelle was awarded Congressman Jim Cooper’s Office first Congressional Fellowship; selected to be a D.C. Scholar in the Office of First Lady Michelle Obama; and served as a White House Intern under Vice President Joe Biden. Michelle also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Rwanda, where she led educational programs that addressed public health, entrepreneurship, and gender equity.
Michelle holds a bachelors degree in political science from Spelman College and a masters degree in politics and education from Columbia University.
