General Manager
Lambert

Michelle Olson is managing director and partner at Lambert, a full-service communications firm with offices in Michigan, New York and Arizona. The nationally recognized firm works with clients ranging from global brands to emerging leaders in a variety of industries including automotive and mobility, consumer, education, financial, B2B, and food and beverage. Michelle leads the firm’s automotive and mobility practice.

Michelle began her tenure as national chair of PRSA in January 2021, having previously served on the national board of directors and as a leader at the Chapter and regional levels. As chair, Michelle aims to help equip PR practitioners to identify and combat mis/dis/malinformation, break down barriers for diverse students and professionals to enter the industry, and set the tone for civil discourse across the country.

PR News recently named Michelle to the 2020 class of the Top Women in PR. She was named one of Arizona’s Most Influential Women in Business by BizAZ Magazine in 2018 and in 2003, she received the Phoenix PRSA chapter’s prestigious PERCY Award for her achievements in the public relations industry. Michelle is a past chair of Counselors Academy, PRSA’s international section for agency owners and leaders and an advisor and mentor to the organization’s student body, PRSSA, providing counsel to its national committee.

With more than 30 years in public relations and integrated marketing, Michelle has served clients across the U.S. and internationally, and has significant experience in corporate communications and issues management across industries. A notable business leader and entrepreneur, Michelle founded and led her own company for 13 years prior to its acquisition in 2014. Her firm ranked as the third largest in Arizona by the Phoenix Business Journal.

Michelle’s work for clients to combat the U.S. opioid crisis drew attention from top tier media across the country and received recognition from industry trade associations. Committed to staying abreast of innovative communications approaches, Michelle routinely integrates content marketing, social media, brand journalism and other digital initiatives into public relations strategies, reaching audiences quickly to impact change. She has handled numerous high-profile projects, including the Phoenix Coyotes’ Glendale Arena opening, the Merrill Lynch SKINS Game in LaQuinta, Calif. and the opening of several hotels, restaurants, golf courses and two successful lifestyle centers: Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter.

Michelle is a past chair of Arizona Forward, a 50-year-old statewide advocacy organization convening dialogue on sustainability and quality of life issues and a member of the Urban Land Institute. She has served as a judge for the prestigious Environmental Excellence Awards, the ATHENA Awards, which recognize outstanding women leaders, and the IMPACT Awards, which recognize Arizona’s most impactful companies.