

“I love helping small businesses and organizations find and share their passion with the world.”
Michelle: Partner | Marketing Strategist | Website Developer
Michelle R. Wheeler is a Partner, Marketing Strategist, and Website Developer at PSM Marketing. She is a staunch believer that “everyone deserves kickass marketing,” which is why Michelle absolutely loves helping clients large and small achieve marketing success. She helps drive opportunity and growth for all her clients, regardless of their industry. In joining PSM’s leadership as a Junior Partner, Michelle is excited to bring her expertise helping Minnesota contractors, non-profits, and small businesses to PSM’s existing legal and financial services clients.
Over the years, Michelle’s role at PSM has evolved immensely. As Terrie Wheeler’s youngest daughter, Michelle has been helping out at PSM ever since she was old enough to staple proposals and stuff envelopes. In college, Michelle found a passion for web design and digital marketing, which ultimately came to shape the course of her career.
Prior to joining the leadership team at PSM, Michelle launched her own marketing agency called Spectrum Design and Marketing. For five years, Michelle built her own client base, established a strong reputation, and learned valuable marketing strategies to help small businesses and organizations grow. In 2017, the Minnesota Association of Government Communications awarded Michelle the Silver Award in Website Design.
One of Michelle’s greatest goals is to help make marketing accessible. No business should ever fail because it didn’t have sufficient marketing. More than anything, marketing is a mindset. Michelle loves talking with clients and helping them discover what it will take for their business or organization to truly flourish.
Michelle has always been extremely active in her community and has a passion for politics and political activism. She is a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has worked with several community health and advocacy organizations over the years.
Michelle lives in St. Paul with her wife, Lauren, and their two rescue dogs, Margot and Nova. When she’s not working, Michelle enjoys making pottery, wood-working, gardening, fantasy/sci-fi novels, movies, video games, and home improvement projects.
Women In Business Podcast
In this podcast, Michelle chats about her move to PSM’s leadership team, mentorship, intersectionality, and the importance of using your privilege to uplift others. Listen here:
St. Olaf College
B.A., English and Women’s and Gender Studies
Honors
- Member, Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society
- Winner, Viola Rossing Prize, The Viola Rossing Prize is an award intended to recognize excellence in the scholarship and creative work of senior Women’s and Gender Studies majors
Project Manager, Professional Services Marketing, LLC
(2006-2019)
Since 2006, I have worn many hats at Professional Services Marketing, LLC. What began as a summer job helping with social media and graphic design evolved into a career in digital marketing. My work at PSM has revolved around website development and project management. Using the Genesis Framework, I created visually striking websites that helped our clients build brand equity and share their messages. I also served as a project manager for numerous PSM clients helping with day-to-day marketing efforts. From creating branded social media pages to developing new marketing content, I worked directly with clients to achieve tangible results.
Chief Operating Officer, CLE Connect™
(January 2018-Present)
CLE Connect™ is a comprehensive, on-demand, CLE-accredited program that teaches lawyers the marketing basics they never learned in law school. From networking best practices to social media engagement, CLE Connect is the definitive ethical marketing resource for lawyers. I serve as the Chief Operating Officer and oversee student enrollment, client service, and all technical operations.
Founder, Marketing Specialist, Spectrum Design and Marketing
(June 2014 – September 2019)
Spectrum Design and Marketing was dedicated to one thing: helping people share their passion. Michelle chased after experiences that feed her passions and engaged her creative senses, and as it just so happens, her passions were often a culmination of strategic marketing initiatives and social campaigns. Through website development, branding, print material, and social media engagement, Michelle wanted to help visionaries make their dreams a reality.
Business Development Intern, Haberman
(May 2013 – August 2013)
Helped the new business development team find and share the stories of modern pioneers! Assisted in identifying prospective clients that fit with the agency mission, completed extensive online research of potential prospects, emerging entrepreneurs, companies, and more. Organized and managed contacts and data. Researched and assisted in the writing and editing of proposals for prospective clients, effectively converting prospects into new clients and growing relationships with existing clients.
Shift MN- Core Leader, Rainbow Health Initiative
(June 2011 – January 2013)
I was one of the original 8 core leaders (ages 18-29) responsible for creating this organization from scratch. From day one, I took part in the process of branding, logo design, writing website content, managing our social media campaigns, and coordinating our various anti-tobacco outreach events. Shift MN is an anti-tobacco project geared specifically toward LGBTQ+ youth and funded by the Minnesota Department of Health. Through policy work, education, and community outreach, Shift strives to create safe spaces in the LGBTQ+ community free of corporate tobacco.
Public Health Intern, Community Blueprint
(April 2012 – October 2012)
My previous work with Community Blueprint (through my involvement with Shift MN)) led me to apply for a position on the youth advisory board for a sexual health campaign organized by Haberman Inc. and Community Blueprint. Being a part of this project has been truly inspirational to me. Visiting the Haberman office and engaging with the MySelfMyHealth campaign helped me realize there are professional careers out there that utilize creative ability while also improving our communities.
Logistical Coordinator for MOCC 2012, MN GLBTA Campus Alliance
(May 2012 – October 2012)
The 7th annual MOCC conference was hosted at St. Olaf College- the president of the planning committee recruited me to serve as the Chair of Logistics. Duties included: designing & creating the conference program, creating promotional material, reserving rooms, helping to attain sponsorship, negotiating speaker/entertainment contracts, arranging meals for conference-goers, and ensuring that our conference was as inclusive as possible. MOCC is one of the largest college conferences in Minnesota; it aims to unite LGBTQ and allied folks across the state.
Assistant to the President, St. Olaf President’s Office
(January 2011 – May 2014)
Worked as a receptionist, courier, and small project manager for the President of St. Olaf College.
Walking Shadow Theatre Company, Board Member
(2020-Present)
Walking Shadow is a Minneapolis-based theater company with a reputation for producing well-staged and carefully researched work. They produce shows that are smart, exciting, savvy—and often a little quirky or subversive.
Northern Clay Center, Studio Monitor
(2016-Present)
An avid pottery enthusiast, Michelle volunteers weekly at Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis. She loves making pottery and cherishes her community of fellow Twin Cities potters.
Women’s Small Business Association (WSBA)
(August 2015-Present)
WSBA mission: To be a valuable online business resource and community for business women, by helping and stimulating small and start up businesses. The goal of the WSBA is to foster women’s economic independence by helping them develop skills needed for entrepreneurial success through networking, support, and education.
Volunteer Patient Educator, Family Tree Clinic
(June 2010 – September 2011)
Served as a patient educator for Family Tree Clinic. Met one-on-one with patients to discuss birth control methods, STIs, and general sexual heath information. Completed additional training in hazardous material/blood born pathogens; worked in the back lab administering and delivering pregnancy and HIV test results to patients. Also worked on patient medical charts and creating “Safer Sex Kits.”
Voice and Action Student Leadership Award Selection Committee, Campus Pride
(November 2013)
Served on the selection committee for the national Voice and Action Student Leadership Award.
Graphic Designer and Strategist, Stark Summer Stroll
(December 2012-2016)
Designed annual event program and assisted in logistical planning and execution.
Silver Award for Website Redesign, Recipient
The Minnesota Association of Government Communications, May 2017
In May of 2017, the City of New Brighton and Spectrum Design and Marketing received the Silver Award for Website Redesign by the Minnesota Association of Government Communications.
Winner: Target Marketing Challenge
Target Corporation, December 2013
I led the effort to draft a comprehensive marketing plan to answer the question “How can we provide the ‘full Target experience’ in a store half the size?” After being selected by Target as one of two finalists, our team presented a marketing pitch and won.
Winner: Viola Rossing Prize
Women’s and Gender Studies Special Selection Committee, May 2014
The Viola Rossing Prize is an award intended to recognize excellence in the scholarship and creative work of senior Women’s and Gender Studies majors or concentrators.
Induction to Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta, January 2014
English Honor Society
PAST HONORS & AWARDS
- Winner of 2010 Service to Youth Award presented by Northwest Youth & Family Services
- Four year recipient of the Service Leadership Scholarship from St. Olaf college
- 2010 “Herff Jones Principal’s Leadership Award.” Only 100 awards (across the USA) were presented
- Placed in the statewide 2010 InvestWrite Essay Competition for Economics
- St. Olaf Dean’s List















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