Michelle Sarju has over 30 years of experience in the field of Maternal/Parent-Child Health. In 1999 Michelle became the first Black Licensed Midwife in the State of Washington. She provided practice as a midwife in Central Seattle for 12 years. 

In 2016, King County Executive Dow Constantine appointed Michelle to be the Best Starts for Kids Initiative campaign co-chair, and initiative the successfully passed. In 2017 she joined the County working in the Best Starts for Kids Program, responsible for building out the prenatal-5 Community-based Parenting and Peer Support strategy. Michelle is currently the Lead Administrator for King County Public Health’s Parent Child Health work. 

With over three decades of results-driven leadership that spans the corporate, non- profit, medical, and small business ownership sectors, Michelle’s work experiences have provided the opportunity to develop a diverse and varied skill set in the areas of small business ownership, organizational management and leadership, staff development, program management, and program development. 

Michelle also currently serves as an elected official: Seattle Public Schools, Board Director, former Vice-President. 

Degrees: 

• Bachelors, Rhetoric and Communications, University of Oregon
• Licensed Midwife—Retired, Seattle, Washington
• Master of Social Work, University of Washington.