Michelle Wilson is the Executive Director of the Sydney Downtown Development Association (SDDA), a local Business Improvement District. In this role Michelle has raised awareness of the organization and increased its operations significantly, including annual revenues and activities. She has been involved in bringing vital placemaking initiatives to the downtown core, and is a strong advocate for projects that will improve the vibrancy of Downtown Sydney.

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Prior to her position with SDDA, Michelle ran a business in Downtown Sydney for over 8 years, winning awards in customer service, marketing, and more. Prior to opening her own business, she has had various working experiences in retail, radio, customer service, and tourism. Michelle has a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology from Dalhousie University, and has taken several courses to further improve her skills in communications and marketing, as well as others. She enrolled in the MBA program at CBU in January 2022, which has a focus on Community Economic Development. Michelle also sits on other boards, such as the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtowns Atlantic Canada (representing Business Improvement Districts in the Maritimes), and is a new board member of the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame (and BGC Cape Breton).

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Michelle resides in Whitney Pier with her husband of 16 years, her two sons and two cats, and is very passionate about her community – so much so that she ran in the provincial election in 2021. She is an avid reader, and a promoter of healthy living, lifelong learning, and self-improvement.