Michelle Bergquist is a nationally recognized author and award-winning entrepreneur. Michelle is the CEO and Co-Founder of Connected Women of Influence, a national association of professional women leading people, projects, teams and companies.

Michelle is also the Co-Founder of SUE Talks;™ which are bold, passionate talks and viewpoints, centered around business and success by successful, unstoppable, and empowering leaders in business. In addition, Michelle is the Chief Publisher of Women Lead Publications, a go-to source and publication for female leaders to rise and thrive in business.

Michelle is a passionate advocate to advance women in business. Michelle has been recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owners as the Women’s Advocate of the Year, by the East County Chamber of Commerce with the Women in Leadership Award, winner of the SIMA Global Award Winner and by the San Diego Metro Magazine as one of the Women Who Impact San Diego, California.

Another passion for Michelle is to see more women become published authors and thought-leaders. She is a Founding Partner of Women Lead Publishing, the go-to-source for aspiring women authors who want to share their expertise and build credibility, impact and influence through published works.

With a passion to ‘give back’ in business, Michelle’s philanthropic efforts have resulted in over $500,000 in contributions for local nonprofit organizations that support women and young girls.

Michelle’s corporate background includes thirteen years in commercial banking and over twenty-nine years as an award-winning entrepreneur and business owner. Michelle is the author of two books: How Women Sabotage Their Success in Business…According to Men and How to Build a Million Dollar Database.

Michelle is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Big Red!!), Chairman and Co-Founder of SUE Rising, and a past board member of the National Association of Women Business Owners, the Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce, YWCA of San Diego and the American Institute of Banking.