Michelle McGinty

Biography: As DRA Collective’s president, Michelle leads the development and implementation of strategic marketing and communication strategies including branding, media relations, digital strategy community relations, promotions and experiential marketing.  She oversees the creation of comprehensive campaigns for clients across a variety of sectors including commercial, industrial and residential real estate development and brokerage; regional economic development; and numerous nonprofit organizations. With natural leadership abilities, fresh creativity and problem-solving skills, Michelle is the go-to person for high-profile client accounts at DRA Collective. She oversees nine staff members and runs the day-to-day operations of the public relations firm. Over her tenure with DRA, Michelle has created innovative programs to increase public awareness for clients such as the Arizona Department of Commerce, multiple DMB communities, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, DAVIS Architects, Launch Real Estate, New Pathways for Youth, Arizona State University, Maracay Homes, Valley Leadership, Portland on the Park and the Arizona Humane Society. Through her work at the Collective, Michelle designs ways to celebrate and promote the many assets that already exist within our region and utilize these amenities to support quality future growth. Prior to joining the agency, she worked on the Lexus Automotive account in Experiential Marketing & Promotions for Team One Advertising, a division of Saatchi and Saatchi in Los Angeles. In 2016, Phoenix Business Journal named Michelle one of the Valley's "Outstanding Women in Business." She was also named one of Phoenix Business Journal's 40 Under 40 in 2013. She is an alumna of Valley Leadership’s Leadership Institute Class 33. Acting as the team captain for the winning class project, she co-developed a community garden for Phoenix’s Garfield Historic District with over $30,000 of in-kind donations. Michelle serves as the 2016 – 2017 Board Secretary for Valley Leadership and leads their marketing and communications committee. She is a member of the Urban Land Institute Arizona Advisory Board and Management Committee and chairs the organization’s strategic communications efforts. She is an active volunteer for First Place AZ and the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center. Michelle earned a bachelor's degree in business and communications from Arizona State University.