I bring 25 years of domestic and international experience producing creative projects and tackling complex problems using a rare yet effective combination of project management, production, facilitation, and conflict resolution techniques. I focus on positive social and environmental impact, facilitating collaboration across not-for-profit organizations, Fortune 500 corporations, universities, and advocacy organizations. Over the years, I’ve served on the boards of several social and environmental impact-focused organizations, including Kids Creative, Prime Produce Apprentice Cooperative, NYC Health + Hospital | Gotham Health | Sydenham Family Health Center, and the Rosa Parks Condominium. I hold a BA in Art History from Smith College and an MS in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Columbia University, where I was an Earth Institute Fellow at the Advanced Consortium for Conflict, Cooperation, and Complexity.
In 2024, I moved and am now bringing this integrated approach to environmental projects and multi-stakeholder collaborations to the Laurentia: Great Lake Bioregion, home to 20% of the world’s fresh water. Living here has deepened my commitment to protecting these vital resources, especially as AI development and grid vulnerabilities threaten our water systems and energy security. And because I believe in putting values into practice, a percentage of my business supports organizations working to protect fresh water in our bioregion.
Organizations and Affiliations
Michelle V. Jackson Consulting
2005 – Present
In 2005, after a decade working at major advertising agencies, I started my freelance art production business, Snap Indigo, which has grown into the creative facilitation services work, I do today. My goal is to create enjoyable collaborative processes that lead to environmental and social outcomes that meet or exceed expectations - whether that’s building community resilience, protecting natural resources, advancing equity, or creating sustainable solutions that actually work for the people most affected.
I focus on inclusive, collaborative approaches, drawing on my knowledge of different organizational structures and ways of working. I work across sectors on complex creative projects, from global photography shoots for large international brands to illustration and design projects, always keeping the human element at the center of getting great work done.
Seeds to Soil
2011 – 2023
I founded Seeds to Soil, a not-for-profit collective of individuals encouraging social and environmental engagement. Seeds to Soil provides training sessions, participatory design workshops, and events. Additionally, Seeds to Soil partners with other organizations on existing urban agriculture and ecology initiatives that include citizen science projects, oral history, and field research. Projects have focused on participatory art process and health well-being including:
"Tiny Plots," a distributed milkcrate community garden;
"Pollinators Bench," a sidewalk garden with a place for people to sit and take a break.
Board Work
2008 – Current
I’ve been diving into advisory and executive boards since 2008, always looking for new ways to use my skills for social impact. I quickly learned how important it is to be at the table to voice perspectives that might not otherwise be heard in decision-making processes. My work has included fundraising, systems design, conflict management, consensus building, content production, and sustainability initiatives - like piloting composting and recycling programs in my building.
I’ve worked with organizations like Sydenham (NYC Health + Hospitals | Gotham), a public health clinic; Ms. Steph’s Science Club for STEAM after-school programming; Kids Creative, which teaches peace-building through the arts; Carrie McCracken TRUCE Community Garden; Prime Produce Apprentice Cooperative, a social impact cooperative; and the Rosa Parks Condominium.
