Michelle Hord

Award Winning Television Executive; Creative Corporate Change Agent; Author, Content Creator, Grief and Resilience Warrior; Children's Advocate; Nonprofit Founder

Michelle Hord

Award Winning Television Executive; Creative Corporate Change Agent; Author, Content Creator, Grief and Resilience Warrior; Children's Advocate; Nonprofit Founder

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Biography

Michelle D. Hord is a creative storyteller and media executive. As the President of Hope Warrior, Inc., and former Vice President of Creative Content and Talent Management for NBCUniversal, Michelle has produced content for television shows and developed strategic solutions for business and talent management needs. With experience from television control rooms to executive board rooms, she has worked with organizations such as ABC News, Good Morning America, Oxygen, CBS News, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Her Hope Warrior, Inc., consulting client list includes NBC News, Telepictures, CBS Studios, Univision and LMVH of North America.

Hord is the founder of "Gabrielle's Wings," a nonprofit she created to honor her daughter Gabrielle Eileen, who was murdered by her father when she was just seven. Determined to ensure her daughter's legacy will be focused on helping children and not on how she died, Gabrielle’s Wings is dedicated to giving children of color in vulnerable communities the tools they need to soar above their circumstances and embodies every mother’s dream for her child to grow and thrive without limitations.

In 2022, she released her debut memoir The Other Side of Yet on Atria Books. Michelle’s story of resilience is the subject of this intensely personal book, which she wrote in hopes that others can also find courage and strength on the other side of their own personal "yets." She has been featured in O Magazine, The Tamron Hall Show, Good Morning America, The Talk, among others -- and has shared her journey with audiences across the country.

Now, Michelle uses her personal experiences to connect with others on their own journeys. As a sought after speaker with a resounding testimony, Michelle focuses on the topics of resilience, healing, overcoming trauma and grief, and personal growth. Her work includes organizations as diverse as the Association of Healthcare Human Resources Administrators of Greater New York and the Trayvon Martin Foundation, in addition to speaking engagements for numerous large faith-based organizations and corporations.

Gabrielle’s Wings serves a global community of elementary aged children from untapped communities through educational, recreation and cultural engagement. To date, the fund has allocated more than $425,000 to camp and academic scholarships, recreational facilities, and educational projects with partners on three continents. The fund has partnered with organizations such as The YMCA of Greater Seattle, Jack and Jill of America, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Family Services of Westchester, Believers World Outreach and My Brother’s Keeper. Gabrielle’s Wings has touched more than 10,000 children in its three-year history.

A proud Alumna of Howard University, Michelle is member of the Advisory Board for Howard University’s School of Communications and the past Chair of the Hampton University Scripps School of Communications Advisory Board. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc. and an associate of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Michelle lives in Connecticut with her husband, Axel.

Speaker Videos

Personal Journey of Grief After Daughter’s Murder | Nightline

The Other Side of Yet | TamronHallShow

One Mother’s Journey to Overcome Tragedy | ABC News

Speech Topics

Breath, Pray, Cry: Moving Through Trauma

Resistance Builds Resilence

How to Get to the Other Side of Yet

Reclaim Your Life

Find Grace in in the Grieving

Be a Hope Warrior

Reimagine Your Road

Lose The Playbook (Everything is Different)

Design Thinking & Change Management

The Difference Between Diversity & Belonging

Testimonials

"I could not be more inspired by Michelle's resilience in the face of such unimaginable loss. By bravely sharing what she learned through tragedy, Michelle will help so many others find strength and rediscover joy."

- Former COO of Meta and Founder of Lean In and Option B

"Michelle Hord is a moving and compassionate speaker who leaves her listeners inspired, lifted, and hopeful. Her beautiful words spark resilience, rejuvenation, and the will to carry on believing that something beautiful exists on the other side of pain and tragedy--she is the evidence."

- President/CEO of YMCA of Greater Seattle

"Michelle manages the impossible...to unearth gratitude and hope in the midst of her blinding grief. Her story "weaponizes hope" and gives us all a path out of trauma and heartbreak. She exudes wisdom and fortitude with a charming blend of "girlfriend" realness and momma bear tenderness."

- ABC NEWS, 20/20, and NIGHTLINE

"Michelle Hord spoke on the topic of resilience at the Association of Healthcare Human Resources Administrators of Greater New York's (AHHRA-GNY) 2021 Annual Virtual Conference. Her presentation was impactful and engaging. Participants later commented that they felt the information she provided could be used immediately after the presentation. Not only was the information valuable but it is rare to participate in a presentation where the speaker both reviews and models the behaviors being taught. Michelle demonstrated vulnerability and adaptability throughout. Especially when the webinar would not let her in the Zoom because of privacy settings, resulting in 40+ participants signing into a new Zoom room and a lot of confusion. Michelle quickly adapted and still managed to cover all the main points, engage participants in the conversation, and she did it all within half the allotted time."

- Director of HR and Academic Affairs, 2021 Presidents of AHHRA-Greater NY

"When Michelle speaks, her authenticity envelopes you and makes the space comfortable for all who are listening. When I hear her, I know that she is making soul connections to our humanity, bridging our understanding and inviting us to care, assuring us that hope is yet possible for all of us."

- General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada

"I invited Michelle to facilitate a workshop on healing for our Circle of Mothers. She offers honesty and vulnerability that really resonated with the moms and the exercises helped everyone connect and bond as fellow mothers of murdered children."

- The Trayvon Martin Foundation