BIOGRAPHY
Michell Franklin, M.A. Psychology - Voice, Journey & Impact
🎤 Speaker • Coach • Personal Development Expert
📍 Based in California | 🌐 Available Nationwide & Virtual Internationally
Michell is a seasoned mental health professional, educator, and advocate with over 35 years of experience empowering individuals and communities. Born and raised in the inner city of Los Angeles during a time of heightened gang activity, Michell overcame early adversity—including a teen mother and at times, a chaotic home life—by embracing the values of persistence and fortitude. Her academic excellence led her to graduate 5th in her high school class and earn admission to the University of California, Berkeley.
While at Cal in the late 1980s, Michell found her calling in justice and equity, becoming a key organizer of campus protests between 1986 and 1991. Her commitment to social change has since guided a multifaceted career spanning higher education and mental health. Michell has worked extensively with under-resourced and marginalized communities, serving as a therapist for individuals, couples, families, foster youth, and survivors of domestic violence.
Known for her ability to weave personal narrative into professional purpose, Michell brings authenticity, compassion, and lived experience to every space she enters. She starts this new chapter marked by joy and wonderment; Michell continues to evolve her mission—helping others heal, thrive, and show up as their best selves. Michell is a single mom to her teenage son and is the caregiver for her mom, a cancer survivor.
~TESTIMONIALS~
PODCAST
“Those first 2 episodes are Bonafide game changers! Brava!!! And HUGE CONGRATS” - P. H.
“I enjoyed the podcast. It really was interesting, at an easy, understandable approach, periods of being funny, excellent recommendations, right amount of time as well.” - N. G.
"I have known Michell for more than 20 years. Her research is impeccable. She moves in excellence. Her heart for people is unmatched. This podcast is filled with applicable wisdom and tools you can use now. I refuse to miss a single episode!" - Apple Podcasts Comment
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
"Your speech was everything we hoped for and more!!! Powerful, unforgettable, funny, emotional, and capped off with a strong call to action! You are an incredible speaker. The story you shared resonated so deeply with me; I truly feel you. It was beautiful. I love how you seamlessly tied your personal narrative...and then, to wrap it all up with the event theme…Pure brilliance. The personal stories you share really illustrate the impact of how we show up in this work. It’s a reminder of how critical empathy and cultural humility are...in the field."
- O. J.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
"Amazing public speaker...heartfelt, human, meaningful and such a beautiful message. Your talent in public speaking is stellar and it is all the more remarkable for what you shared about not being able to share your voice when you were younger. The picture you painted about your childhood, advocacy at UC Berkeley, learning to speak up for others, and navigating this current time together from a place of community and empowerment was so beautiful and impactful. What a gift you gave the audience...in such a profoundly meaningful way...I'm so glad I was able to be part of those who got to be changed for the better by your message." - A. B.
LEADERSHIP
"An amazing leader...the best leader I have ever worked under and I am not saying it lightly. I am sure there are things (she) can be working on as we all can continue to grow and improve, but when (she) came…made this team a dream team." - O. V.
"A smart, fierce, and humbly grounded leader." - O. J.
"Transformative Engagement" with my H.A.R.D. FRAMEWORK In Action
"Michell’s skill in having difficult conversations is truly unparalleled. She does not shy away from having direct conversations and giving needed feedback…and does so in a way that individuals feel called to be their best selves. She has worked to navigate challenging dynamics between team members in a way that has encouraged partnership and shared accountability. I am in awe of her ability to give feedback in a way that leaves others feeling built up and inspired. She is also highly self-reflective and serves as a role model for personal accountability when she feels she could have done something differently or better in an interaction."
- A. B.
"I have witnessed Michell hold herself accountable for oversights or assumptions she made in haste. And, as leader of the team, she role models for me the strength it takes to honor mistakes and repair to move forward." - Team Member
COACHING
“Beyond project work, Michell has had a strong impact on my own professional development. She mentored me in areas such as giving constructive feedback, navigating interpersonal relationships, and refining my strategic thinking. I particularly value her ability to coach while also giving space for autonomy, stepping in with direct guidance when necessary." - C. L.
"She coaches team members and holds them accountable with a combination of curiosity and honesty, reminding us that we are responsible for our impacts on each other." - Team Member
ORGANIZATIONAL CONSULTING
"Michell brings a strategic, holistic mindset to her work, and is well versed and knowledgeable, referencing multiple levels of product and process management in a very timely manner. She has a steadfast comprehensive capacity for understanding, documenting, and implementing processes and procedures which streamline workloads." - Team Member