Michelle Richards is a credentialed religious educator. She is a small church RE program consultant for the Central Midwest District and created the Emerging Congregations workshop (along with Dori Davenport) for newly forming grassroots congregations.

Previously, she served the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart as Director of Religious Education for seven years and for six years as the Chair of the Central Midwest District's Religious Education Committee. Prior to becoming a religious educator, Michelle worked as a writer and television producer for several Indiana public television stations. She has a bachelor's degree in Radio/Television/Film from Indiana State University with a specialization in writing and film criticism.