Biography:
Michelle Purnell-Hepburn serves as the Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity, joining Foster in December 2022. In 2021, the Consulting and Business Development Center and Dean Emeritus William D. Bradford recruited her to create and teach the course, “Impact Business Lending: The Power of Access”, due to her extensive years in the banking and credit union industry. Ms. Purnell-Hepburn is an alum of the Foster School earning her B. A. in Finance and Business Economics and her M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting. She went on to graduate from Western CUNA Management School at Pomona College achieving High Honors and earned her Certified Chief Executive [CCE] designation.In her role, Ms. Purnell-Hepburn’s responsibilities encompass leading efforts to incorporate an inclusion, diversity, equity, and belonging perspective into every decision we make at the Foster School. Applying evidence-based practices, building relationships, and innovation to develop and execute programs and strategies to amplify the School’s purpose statement by working with the Undergraduate and Graduate Diversity Services Teams, Foster Staff, the Executive Director and Faculty Advisor of the Consulting and Business Development Center, the Faculty Diversity Team, Advancement, and Foster’s Resource Support Groups. The Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity also engages in strategic planning, program and policy development, outreach, recruitment, and training.
Career Advice:
“Focus on what you want, not what you think you can have. The universe is abundant.”
