Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Florida Polytechnic University, the state's sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for 10.5 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Her distinct background in mathematics (BS) and engineering (MS), combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach to implementing Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and enhancing the institution's resilience.