About

About Me

Michelle Cangelosi is an experienced senior executive with more than 25 years of experience, including various leadership positions in nonprofit, government, and education. Cangelosi specializes in building and developing relationships with various entities, public and private, in the knowledge areas of international relations, water and sanitation, program management, and partnership negotiation. A current resident of The Villages, Florida, Cangelosi’s current role is Vice President of Transformational Philanthropy for Heifer International.

Current Professional Experience

Michelle Lynn Cangelosi joined Heifer International in May of 2021. As the VP of Transformational Philanthropy, she is directly responsible for crafting and implementing strategies for foundation giving and major gifts. Heifer International is a global nonprofit organization committed to stamping out hunger and poverty by helping families build sustainable food and farming businesses that strengthen rural economies. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Heifer International has provided livestock and education to nearly 40 million families in over 125 countries since its inception in 1944. It currently has programming in 21 countries and assists approximately 1 million farming families annually through its work to close the living income gap.

Cangelosi’s deep knowledge of multi-stakeholder engagement, business development, international relations, and strategic partnerships makes her an effective leader in philanthropy for an organization that seeks to not only support those in need but also empower them through education and sustainability-minded approaches. Cangelosi’s passion for cultivating meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships is not only key to her success as a VP for Heifer International, but has also propelled her career.

Career History

Before joining Heifer International, Michelle Cangelosi served in various roles where she gained critical experience and the skills needed for working in transformational philanthropy:

Government

US Federal Government

U.S. Department of State: Michelle Cangelosi served as the Senior Director for Partnerships for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In this role, she provided leadership for the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, an initiative aimed at increasing economic opportunities and business skills for women in more than 70 countries.

Peace Corps: Cangelosi was the Director of the Office of Private Sector Initiatives where she oversaw all donations to the Peace Corps through relationship building, collaboration, and engagement with various donor organizations. Cangelosi administered the Peace Corps Partnership Program, which provided financial support for volunteer-led projects in other countries. In this role, Michelle Cangelosi was successful in increasing donor support, volunteer participation, and engagement with a larger base of financial backers.

U.S. Department of the Interior: Cangelosi held various leadership roles. As the Associate Director of the Office of External and Intergovernmental Affairs she engaged with various government officials, public and private organizations, associations, and other entities on behalf of the Department, focused our nation’s public lands. Cangelosi also served as the Executive Director of Take Pride in America, a national volunteer program wherein schools, government officials, businesses, and other entities participated in efforts to protect and enhance public lands.

State Government

State of Florida: Michelle Lynn Cangelosi was a Federal Coordinator for the Sunshine State. In this role, she was a liaison between the State of Florida, its Department of Environmental Protection, and its five water management districts to the U.S. Congress and other state and federal organizations.

Pasco County Schools: After undergraduate studies, Michelle Cangelosi became a public secondary science teacher where she taught oceanography, biology, and physical science before pursuing her master’s degree in Environmental Engineering Studies.

Tribal Government

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida: Cangelosi served as the Deputy Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Cangelosi was responsible for overseeing the lobbying team. She represented the Tribe’s interests, establishing and cultivating relationships with foreign governments and global organizations.

Nonprofit

Rotary International: As the Director of External Engagement - Partnerships, Cangelosi established this department to engage with corporations for philanthropic giving, marketing campaigns, and sponsorship. Cangelosi evaluated and identified synergistic opportunities between various external groups and programs within Rotary International, a humanitarian service organization committed to worldwide community service, goodwill, and cooperation.

WaterSHED: Cangelosi was the Partnership Development Manager for this former Cambodia-based, USAID -intiated organization that created relationships between consumers, local government, and businesses to provide transformative, sustainable, and efficient water and wastewater solutions.

Besides her roles in government agencies and nonprofit organizations, Michelle Lynn Cangelosi also brings relevant experience in asset management and real estate, as Florida-licensed realtor, though not practicing.

Relevant Skills

Michelle Cangelosi delivers a complete set of industry and interpersonal competencies to any role, including business development, business relationship management, budgeting, communications, community development and outreach, environmental awareness, fundraising, grants, government relations, international relations, leadership, management, marketing, human resources, policy analysis and development, press releases, program development, program evaluation, program management, proposal writing, public policy, public speaking, strategic partnerships, and strategic planning.

Educational Background

Cangelosi is a proud alumna of the University of Florida. She holds a bachelor of science degree in zoology with a minor in education, as well as a master’s degree in environmental engineering sciences. Cangelosi also achieved the following certificates:

Wetlands Studies, University of Florida

Alternate Teacher Preparation Program, University of South Florida

Corporate Social Responsibility, Rutgers University

Negotiation and Influence, Massachusetts Institute of Technology