Michelle Smeby

About Michelle Smeby

With over 25 years of experience leading business and technology transformations across more than 70 countries on 6 continents, Michelle Smeby is a powerful voice in change management, leadership, and transformation. As an international author, trainer, public speaker, and consultant, she is known for her ability to overcome resistance, align people, and deliver meaningful, lasting results.Michelle has worked across highly regulated industries including banking, health insurance, and finance, as well as global brands in retail and manufacturing. Her expertise lies in streamlining operations, creating sustainable organizational practices, and helping leaders navigate complexity with clarity and confidence.As the founder of wHolistic Change, Michelle is on a mission to teach others how to lead successful change. She equips leaders and teams with the skills to influence, adapt, and create real impact, ensuring change is not just implemented, but sustained.Through her global work and speaking, Michelle empowers individuals to embrace change as an opportunity, not a challenge, building cultures that are agile, resilient, and future-focused.She is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and holds a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.

Experience

1. Transformation Leader

   Wholistic Change

   May 2011 — Present · Minneapolis, MN, US

   Founded wHolistic Change, Inc, a transformational change consulting company based on the successful model developed for Fortune 500 companies• Co-authored the book,\"wHolistic Change: Delivering Corporate Change That Lasts\"• Authored the book,\"The Tenacious Leader: Your Map to Overcome Change Fatigue,\" coming in May 2026• Created the wHolistic Change comprehensive change management toolkit and training courses• Trained executives, change management practitioners, project managers, and business analysts in organizational change management planning, facilitation, change agent skills, and communication. Coached individuals from front-line employees to the C-suite across multiple industries: banking, computer software, financial services, human resources, information technology, management consulting, manufacturing, medical devices, performing arts, and retailTRANSFORMATION CONSULTANT• Developed organizational readiness methodology and training for a data science professional services firm. Created the culture change approach to ensure client success in adopting big data and data analytic practices.• Consulted for a museum struggling with decreased attendance, ageing private donors, and the uncertainty of future funding grants. Created opportunities to drive revenue through embracing technology to showcase exhibits, identifying ways to attract new visitors, and leveraging the museum’s assets in unprecedented ways.• Developed a $30M transformational change program for a Third Party Administrator (TPA) acquired by a Fortune 100 Health Insurance Company. Created the strategy with senior leadership, drove consensus on expected outcomes across disparate business units, developed the change roadmap and communication strategy. Ensured all projects complied with federal regulatory requirements (HIPAA, 5010).

Education

• Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

  M.Sc., Biomedical Engineering

  1994 — 1999

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  B.Sc., Molecular Biology

  1988 — 1992

• Minnesota High Tech Association | MHTA

  ACE Leadership Program | Technology | Strategy

  2013 — 2013

Skills

• Program Management
• Requirements Analysis
• Leadership Development
• Business Analysis
• Leadership
• Team Leadership
• Professional Mentoring
• Change Management
• Management
• Sdlc
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Business Intelligence
• Product Life Cycle Management
• Product Management
• Strategic Planning
• Process Improvement
• Enterprise Software
• Project Portfolio Management
• Software Development Life Cycle (Sdlc)
• Business Process
• Re-Engineering
• Business Process Improvement