As Principal and founder of Lighthouse Leadership, Michelle Rupp brings over 25 years of diverse business experience to her work as an Executive Coach.  Prior to her professional transition into leadership development, Michelle was a communications and marketing specialist in her role as Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications with a leading North American investment firm.   During this time, she was recognized as an innovative and results-oriented leader with excellent presentation and interpersonal skills.

Michelle brings this same focus to her coaching practice where she supports the unique leadership development needs of each client.  Whether challenging client thinking, supporting change, or helping clients become more resourceful, Michelle’s approach is direct and performance-focused. Drawing on both her business expertise and executive experience, as well as her academic knowledge, she offers an informed perspective directed at helping her clients address their goals in a timely manner.

In her community, Michelle is equally committed to strong leadership in the not-for-profit sector having served as a Director on many boards including Ronald McDonald House, Vancouver Opera, the Vancouver YWCA, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre Foundation, the Advisory Board for Big Sisters of BC,  Vancouver College and is a Past Chair of the Minerva Foundation for BC Women.  As Co-Chair of the inaugural GLOW gala in support of BC Women’s Hospital‘s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Michelle helped raise $1.2million. Today, she remains an active volunteer as a Council Member and Lieutenant Governor appointee to the Architectural Institute of British Columbia.

Currently a PhD student in Organizational Development and Change at Fielding Graduate University (Santa Barbara, CA), Michelle has also earned a Master of Arts (Leadership Studies) degree, a Bachelor of Commerce degree, and is an accredited Executive Coach as recognized by the International Coaching Federation. Further continuing education comes from Michelle’s membership in the Institute of Coaching at Harvard Medical School, as well as with the International Women’s Forum, an invitation-only organization dedicated to promoting women leaders globally.

Michelle and her husband, Neil de Gelder, live in Vancouver, BC.