Candidate Statement

 

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

My name is Michelle Dunnick, MBA, CPCE and I want to serve YOU, my fellow NACE members as your National Treasurer to make an impact for you, your chapters, and our association. 

As I write this statement, the world is undergoing so many changes and I am reminded of the resiliency of our hearts, minds, and NACE family. As an industry, we are known for succeeding through unexpected challenges on-site every day - and I know the power of us united.

But I also know the power of individual action to make a difference - which is why I ask for your vote so I can help lead our organization through this challenging time, and share with you the ownership I have taken personally to make an impact in NACE and our industry - I have a unique blend of experiences directly related to the role of Treasurer that can help NACE:

As Immediate Past President and long time board member of NACE New Orleans, I’ve led the transformation charge for our chapter - doubling membership while also creating best practices, standard operating procedures, and boosting board efficiency.

As Director of Events and Impact United Way of Southeast Louisiana currently, I helped raise and have distributed over $2.4 Million in grants to hospitality workers in the Greater New Orleans area who were laid off, furloughed, or had their hours reduced.  

I also sought after grants, totaling $46,671 that were used to hire 13 locally-owned restaurants or non-profits to feed employees at 11 different emergency medical services locations across seven parishes.  In total, we fed over 2,522 meals over three weeks and boosted our local catering companies’ businesses at the same time. 

Additionally, I launched the "COVID-19 Assistance Fund for Chapters" to benefit NACE chapters that are in need of financial assistance to bring education to their members, post-pandemic. Many small chapters are currently struggling right now as they are not hosting in-person meetings, and this fund was created to help strengthen our vibrant community, as education is an essential resource to our NACE members and is the backbone of our organization.

I am a woman of action. When I see people in need or injustices, I speak up.  Change depends on advocacy and changes in policy. I am committed to #BlackLivesMatter and I am currently in discussions with our NACE New Orleans board to increase recruitment and engagement efforts to advance the diversity in our local chapter, so it properly reflects our industry as a whole. I have sent the national board and staff a proposal from a trusted and respected culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion trainer that United Way has been working with for the past two years. As your Treasurer, I will bring my passion for impact to each of you and to the NACE National Board.   

We are at a tipping point -The next three to five years are going to be a rebuilding period for our industry, tourism at home, and the organization as a whole.  I offer my time, commitment, and passion to serving you as Treasurer, in addition to my marketing, communications, and financial background to work alongside former national treasurers and staff to make fiscally sound and responsible decisions. 

Voting for me means voting for someone who has:

  • An understanding of our past and vision for the future

  • A background in fundraising, marketing, and communications 

  • Knowledge of chapter operations, leadership, needs + challenges

  • Commitment to make an impact on our association, chapters, and members

  • A very cute dog who you can see here!

To learn more details about my platform, ideas, full credentials or to view video endorsements from NACE leaders, visit, neworleansnace.com/votedunnick - and if you’d like to ask questions please call me directly at 337-540-5969. I am available to my NACE family anytime.

Thank you for your consideration - I hope that you will vote for me as your NACE National Treasurer so that our FUTURE may be stronger, more united, and more abundant for all.