Michelle Gillis

Michelle retired in September 2022 after a distinguished 33-year career in the accounting profession. During her 25 years with KPMG UK, a leading global Big Four professional services firm, she held several senior leadership roles. She served on the Firm Executive as Head of People, where she developed and implemented the people strategy for a business generating more than $2 billion in revenue. She also served as Head of Tax & Legal Services, leading a 2,500-person practice with revenues of approximately $500 million.

Alongside her corporate career, Michelle was proud to serve for almost a decade as a Trustee and Board Member of the Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership, supporting educational opportunities for underprivileged children in some of the most deprived areas of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

In retirement, Michelle works part-time as a leadership coach, mentor, and certified Emotional Intelligence coach. As well as being a Board Member and Treasurer of the Severn Leadership Group, she also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC.

Michelle is married to Tim and has four adult stepchildren and two grandchildren. She and Tim live in Northern Virginia and divide their time between there and their homes in the Southeast of England and the Southwest of Ireland. When she is not coaching or serving on boards, Michelle enjoys theater, dance fitness, golf, and playing the piano, and is currently embracing the challenge of learning Irish.