Michelle Dagnino is a well-known expert on youth culture and Generation Y engagement. She is currently a Director at The National Alliance of Children and Youth (NACY). NACY brings diverse nonprofit organizations together in a collaborative network dedicated to enhancing the well-being of children and youth in Canada, by providing national leadership and knowledge dedicated to mobilizing and linking practice and research to policy development to support the changing and diverse needs of families on a pan-Canadian basis. Her work as past Director of the Youth Action Network and Ashoka’s Youth Venture has put her at the forefront of youth culture and trends in Canada and globally.

Michelle’s unique expertise makes her a sought-after public speakers on youth engagement, Gen Y leadership, and student motivation. As a global lecturer on these topics, she has made hundreds of presentations to tens of thousands of audience members in regards to connecting to young people, understanding how to motivate Millennials in school and community, and how to meaningfully engage youth in society. Michelle's innovative and thought-provoking work has garnered her over a dozen awards including the 2004 YWCA Young Woman of Distinction award. Her high profile work also lead to Maclean's calling her "one of the Top 25 Leaders under 30" in Canada, featuring her on their cover. She has been the frequent subject of various newspaper and magazine articles, including cover stories in magazines across Canada, has been featured in dozens of other media; and has been the subject of two documentaries. The Toronto Star named her "a woman to buoy the soul", and the City of Toronto honoured her with the Person's Day Award in recognition of her leadership and contributions to the community. In November 2006 Dagnino was named by The Globe and Mail and the Women's Executive Network as one of Canada's Top 100: Most Powerful Women.

Michelle is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and holds a Master's degree in Political Science. She has published extensively on issues of youth development and civic engagement.