Michelle Bartell
President & CEO
Aloha United Way
Michelle Bartell is a Mentor Hawaii Cohort 11 mentor. Learn more about the program here.
About Michelle
Michelle Bartell is the President & CEO of Aloha United Way, where she leads a team dedicated to advancing the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community through programs like the 211 Statewide Helpline, the ALICE initiative and Safety Net Fund. She brings a unique blend of nonprofit heart and corporate strategy, having worked extensively in both sectors throughout her career.
Prior to Aloha United Way, Michelle led community advancement at American Savings Bank for over a decade, where she helped found several successful initiatives, including the Affordable Housing Hui and the KeikiCo Contest, a business plan competition for youth in grades 3-12.
Michelle was honored by Pacific Business News as a member of the 2022 Women Who Mean Business cohort. A UCLA grad and longtime volunteer, Michelle serves on several local boards and is passionate about building a stronger, more connected Hawai‘i.
Question and Answer with Michelle
What is your preferred communication style when mentoring (in-person, video conference, phone, informal check-ins, structured meetings, etc.).
In-Person, Video Conference, Email, Phone Call, Text / SMS
Why do you want to become a mentor in this program?
It’s vitally important to empower the next generation of leaders with the skills, connections and confidence they need to be successful. It is an investment that will pay dividends down the road.
What specific skills, knowledge or experience can you share with your mentee?
My background is in marketing, advertising, PR, fundraising and community relations.
What are your expectations for a mentor-mentee relationship?
I consider myself a lifelong learner, and I fully expect to learn as much if not more from my mentee as I am able to provide. I hope the relationship will be very much a 2-way street.
How do you approach problem-solving and conflict resolution?
I lead with empathy and always seek to understand the problem from multiple angles. I believe that most problems stem from a lack of understanding that can usually be resolved through open, honest dialogue. Getting there takes time and is often messy, but to me, it is worth it. My time in development taught me that the relationship is paramount – and that rings true for me every day.
How do you envision success for your mentee, and how will you measure it during the program?
If we are able to get to a place of trust and safety in our conversations, so that we feel free to honestly share perspectives and ideas, I think we can mark this as a win!