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. Education has always been vital to her – as student, teacher, administrator, consultant, political contender, board member, etc. Foreign study tours and travel afforded her wonderful opportunities for both teaching and learning. In visiting Europe, Africa, Israel, and Central America, “each place I was encouraged by meeting women religious,” she said. “I was inspired by their spirit and concern for working with the poor, akin to the spirit in my own Dominican Community.” In a consultant partnership, S. Michelle facilitated strategic planning sessions with the leadership in 250 different communities of women religious. Though viewpoints varied within the leadership groups, “understanding was possible when respectful dialogue existed “

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

This is Michelle’s third year of membership on the Volunteer Center’s Board of Directors, and she is pleased to see the growth and development of the Volunteer Center for the last nine 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 County Community Corrections Board, Transitional Living Services Mission Council, Racine Clergy Association, and Racine Dominican Sponsorship Taskforce. In 1972-1978 Michelle Olley also served as an elected member of Racine Unified School Board.