Michelle Everton is a senior manager in a Winnipeg-based organization that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full and meaningful lives. She has more than 13 years of experience working in non-profit organizations, typically in roles supporting professional development and corporate services. In her current role, she is responsible for the implementation and oversight of programs that increase efficiency, strengthen employee and volunteer knowledge and abilities, improve leadership, and maintain the overall health of the organization while fulfilling the organizational mission, vision, and values.

Everton’s research interests include organizational behaviour, change management, job satisfaction, and quality of life/well-being. Her doctoral research will investigate how non-profit disability service agencies can reduce turnover among Direct Support Professsionals (DSPs). DSPs are essential to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with daily life tasks like meal preparation and personal hygiene, as well as larger goals like the development of meaningful relationships. However, high turnover among DSPs is well-documented and wide-spread, causing significant challenges for agencies, DSPs, and the people they support. This research aims to identify strategies and recommendations that non-profit agencies can implement to reduce turnover in the context of limited financial resources.

Everton holds a Master of Business Administration in Executive Leadership degree from Royal Roads University (2023), a Graduate Certificate in Change Management from Royal Roads University (2020), and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of British Columbia (2012).