Michelle Carr

In Illinois, Michelle is leading efforts to advance freshwater, grassland and urban conservation initiatives. Her experience will help the Conservancy bridge the gap between conservation and economic decisions. Key conservation efforts include the return of bison to Illinois’ Nachusa Grasslands Preserve; a managed connection between the Illinois River and the Emiquon Preserve, the Conservancy’s 6,700-acre wetland restoration project; and the establishment of green infrastructure that will help clean the City of Bloomington’s drinking water supply. Additionally, she is working closely with conservation staff and partners to build an urban conservation strategy in the City of Chicago. All of these efforts will influence conservation at a global scale.

Michelle joins The Nature Conservancy after 16 years as an advisor in the investment management division at Goldman Sachs, where her clients included entrepreneurs, chief executive officers, families, foundations and endowments. From 2008 through 2012, she was a member of President Obama’s National Finance Committee. Michelle graduated from St. Louis University and holds a MBA from Vanderbilt University. Michelle currently serves on the board of directors and chairs the finance committee for the National Museum of Health and Medicine Chicago as well as serves on the board of Chicago Wilderness. Further, she is a member of Chicago Finance Exchange and the Economic Club of Chicago. She lives in Chicago with her husband and three children.