Meet Michelle Stephens

Executive Coach | Leadership Consultant | Team Facilitator

My Story

With over 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare and community organizations, I’ve always been passionate about helping people reach their full potential. I believe great leaders lead with compassion, build trust through listening, and create environments where others can thrive.

But for many years, I wasn’t thriving myself.

I had a successful career by all external measures—titles, income, accomplishments—but I was burned out. I lived with constant stress and had no time freedom. As someone who’s had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis since age 16, I knew how directly stress could affect my health—but I kept pushing.

During that time:

My RA flared regularly and as a result I had multiple surgeries
I wasn’t sleeping without Ambien
I had no boundaries with work and was always accessible
Even at home, I wasn’t fully present—my mind was still at work, replaying conversations, checking emails, answering calls and texts
And although I was leading teams and achieving results, I was sacrificing myself in the process

Worst Mother's Day Ever

One Mother’s Day, my youngest daughter made a card at school that said:

“My mom loves to work. My mom is good at working. Working is my mom’s favorite thing.”

That Moment Hit Me Hard

It was a wake-up call. I realized I was missing what mattered most.

So I hired an executive coach—thinking I needed clarity on my next career move.

What I really needed was a full reset.

The Shift

Through high-performance coaching, I found my way back to what mattered:

I created boundaries that gave me breathing room

I reclaimed time freedom and reconnected with my highest priorities

I became more present with my husband, family, and friends

I found time for travel, rest, and joy

And remarkably—my RA has been in remission for over two years

Today, I sleep well, move my body regularly, and take care of my health while enjoying a successful and fulfilling career.

Why I Coach

I don’t believe you have to sacrifice your health, relationships, or time freedom to achieve your goals.

That belief is at the heart of everything I do through Engage Consulting. As a Certified Executive & High-Performance Coach, I help growth-oriented leaders lead with clarity, confidence, and intention—while staying grounded in what matters most.

My coaching approach is holistic, evidence-based, and results-driven. We focus on the area of your life or leadership you want to elevate—whether that’s your career, influence, productivity, mindset, or relationships—and create measurable momentum fast.

Because with the right support and strategy, you can:

Reach your goals faster
Lead with more purpose and ease
Sustain high performance without burning out

True success isn’t just about achieving more—it’s about doing it in a way that’s aligned with who you are, and what matters most.

Because success isn’t success if it costs you everything else.

Credentials & Background

Certified High Performance Coach™
Certified Facilitator – The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team™
Certified DiSC® Facilitator
Fellow – American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE)
Master of Science – Healthcare Administration