Michelle Speas, MA, CFRE

Michelle joined Family Services in 2011 after serving on the board of directors. When President and CEO Al Renna announced his retirement in 2011, he invited Michelle to envision, implement, and lead revenue generation from philanthropy and government sources that she has led since 2011 to elevate the agency from $6.5M to current revenue surpassing $20M. Her relationship with four of Family Services’ CEOs – Sarah Austin, Al Renna, Bob Feikema, and Traci Ross- has provided her with a deep commitment to the mission and vision of the agency. She is often heard saying, “We put the agency’s mission first in all decision-making.”

In 2021, she was named the inaugural executive director of the Family Services Foundation. In that role she has facilitated the creation of an Investment Policy Statement and long-term asset allocation strategy and direction with both the governing and foundation board of directors. In 2023, she assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer at the agency and has over arching strategic direction of the client facing Safe Relationships and Family Solutions divisions.  In addition, she oversees IT, all facilities and real estate, Federal and State grants programs, marketing, public relations, and philanthropy to ensure that the agency’s day-to-day operations are aligned with the Strategic Plan.

With over thirty years of domestic and international experience in nonprofit management, Michelle has served as the founding Chief Executive Officer of the Mebane Charitable Foundation and also served with United Way of Greater High Point, Old Salem Museums and Gardens, Oak Ridge Military Academy, and Africa Renewal Ministries.

Michelle is a frequent national speaker on strategic planning, governance, board development and ethics.  As such, she has been an adjunct instructor at Wake Forest University, UNC School of the Arts, Salem College, and High Point University. She has served on several national and Triad nonprofit boards, including Smart Start, Family Services, Second Harvest Food Bank, Alliance for Strong Families and Children, United Way, Winston-Salem Youth Chorus, and the Chamber of Commerce.  She is currently a board member of Riverwood Therapeutic Riding Center.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Mississippi, Michelle holds a bachelor of arts and master of arts in history. She graduated from Duke University’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management program, the Center for Creative Leadership’s Leadership Development Program, and earned her CFRE certification in 2009. Michelle is a native of Winston-Salem and a proud graduate of Parkland High School.

Her great-grandmother, Katherine Broughton Fletcher, was a founding board member of the agency in 1905.