sundance

Director of Federal Grants for The Ferguson Group (TFG)

BIO

Michelle L. Thomas has devoted her career to creating change—from creating new institutions that serve low-income communities to turning around under-performing organizations. Her passion is working to improve the lives of underserved Americans.

Currently, Michelle serves local communities through her work as director of federal grants for The Ferguson Group (TFG) in Washington, D.C., where she advocates on behalf of cities, towns and counties across America that need greater access to federal funding for transformative local programs and projects.

Prior to joining The Ferguson Group, Michelle was the highest ranking non-elected official in the City of Newark, NJ, serving as Mayor Cory Booker’s Business Administrator. In this role, she managed all of the City’s departments, prepared annual budgets on behalf of the Mayor, managed federal and state government relations, provided leadership and oversight for all grant-related activities, and served as the City’s Appointing Authority on all personnel matters.

Michelle’s experience is diverse. She has served in executive and management level positions in both the public and private sectors, including local government, higher education, public housing, and federal government contracting. Michelle uses these diverse experiences to help create positive change in communities across America.