Michelle Y. Bess

Michelle Y. Bess is a premier connector of people serving as the Senior Vice President of People at OppFi, focusing on creating systems and processes to ensure an equitable company where individuals from all backgrounds are seen, validated, and able to succeed. Prior to OppFi, Michelle worked at Sprout Social and in college persistence at OneGoal and Posse Chicago and is an Alumna of the Surge Fellowship. She attended Whitworth University, earning a B.A. in Biology and completed Georgetown University’s Executive Certificate in Strategic Diversity & Inclusion Management.

Bess was recognized as a 2018 AdWeek Rising Brand Star, serves as the Board Chair of Degrees of Change, past President of the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s Associate Board, and is the Founder and Co-lead of The Brave Space, a collaborative for those leading DEI or are interested in developing DEI strategies at their respective company or organization. Michelle is a native of Washington state and resides in the Kenwood neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.