Michelle Hinson is the Director of Development for the Institute for Public Relations, an independent foundation dedicated to the science beneath the art of public relations, located at the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida.

Michelle is responsible for creating, planning and executing the Institute's development program including identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of current and prospective donors for annual, major and planned gifts, and special events. She serves as chief point of contact for the Institute's board of trustees which consist of top communicators in the field and assists them in achieving individual fundraising goals. She is also instrumental in developing and managing new revenue streams.

She also plays a major role in the organization, planning and development of the Institute's forum and summit programs that have gained a reputation for providing some of the nation's best available continuing education opportunities for corporate and agency public relations managers as well as those involved in communications measurement and evaluation. In this regard, she works closely with various cosponsors of Institute educational programs including the Arthur W. Page Society and the Council of Public Relations Firms. Michelle is secretary of the Institute's Commission on Public Relations Measurement and Evaluation and is on the board of advisors for the International Public Relations Research Conference. She is also a guest lecturer at the University of Florida and is co-author of a number of research papers and reports that have been presented at academic and professional conferences.

Michelle is a graduate of the University of Florida with a B.A. in sociology. She earned a Master's Degree in Philanthropy & Development from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. She is a charter member and a past president of the Arredondo Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Michelle is listed in the Empires Who's Who Registry of Executives and Professionals and the Manchester Who's Who Registry of Executives and Professionals. She is also active in her daughter's Girl Scout troop.