Michelle Zajac

Michelle Zajac is the Regional Director for Southern California with First Place for Youth, an education and employment program that assists foster youth preparing to emancipate develop self-sufficiency skills to help them rise out of poverty. In 2012, she joined First Place as the Assistant Director for the Solano Region, relocated to Los Angeles as the LA County Program Manager and then stepped into her role as their Regional Director. She oversees program operations, provides strategic direction to program and policy, and supervises program leadership and housing staff. Michelle has a Master’s degree in Leadership Management from City University, Seattle and a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from Northeastern Illinois University. She was a licensed CDP in Washington for 9 years in roles from assessment and intake to inpatient counselor, outpatient coordinator and oversaw a safe house. Michelle has a passion for advocacy on issues of social justice and the environment.