From Volunteer Center of Racine County

Michelle Olley is a Racine Dominican who has spent 22 years as a teacher and administrator in both Catholic Grade and High Schools in several cities in Wisconsin. She also served at St. Patrick Parish, Racine in adult and youth ministry. In 1978 she began the Senior Companion Program. In 1980 Archbishop Weakland invited Michelle to join his cabinet as Delegate for Christian Formation serving the 10 counties in southeastern Wisconsin in the 1980’s.

Michelle received her Master’s Degrees in Physics from Notre Dame University and in Organization Development and Planning from Loyola University in Chicago.

When Michelle Olley was serving as Director of the Center for Community Concerns in the 1990’s, she considered its volunteer programs were strong enough to become an independent agency. The Center’s Board agreed to consolidate its volunteer programs and so began the process of visioning and birthing of the Volunteer Center of Racine County in 2000.

This is Michelle’s first year of membership on the Volunteer Center’s Board of Directors, but she has been pleased to see the growth and development of the Volunteer Center for the last eight years under the leadership of Marilyn Pelky. Service on non-profit boards and committees has been the hallmark of Michelle’s volunteer service since her retirement in 2001. Presently she also volunteers on Racine Medicine Center Board, St. Catherine’s High School Board, Racine County Community Corrections Board, and Transitional Living Services Board. In 1972-1978 Michelle Olley also served as an elected member of Racine Unified School Board.