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Michele Gran
Co-founder and Acting CEO |
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"I'm Grateful for the Amazing Adventure I've Shared With So Many!"
Thirty years ago, as I began life as a newlywed, I also started along a global journey that would eventually become my life's work. When my husband, Bud Philbrook (Global Volunteers co-founder and Chairman of the Board) and I joined with a small group of friends to incorporate Global Volunteers in 1984, we never intended this new venture to become our careers. In fact, we each were working as ambitious professionals in other fields, and wondered how we would weave our jobs and parenting responsibilities together with the demands of managing a fledgling organization. I can only say now that I'm grateful for the energy of my youth, because today I'd never be able to juggle all the balls that I did in those early years! Reflecting upon Global Volunteer's amazing development over 25 years, I am sincerely grateful for all those who have contributed to our growth, and who have made such significant contributions in Global Volunteers' host communities. They've truly made our dream a reality!
Over the years, my sons traveled with me. Jake volunteered with me in Mississippi when he was in sixth grade. My middle son, Nick, volunteered on my Ireland team in his junior year of high school, and my youngest son, Drew, has been with me for three service programs on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. All three also have logged many thousands of miles traveling around the world with their father on his exploratory and "check-in" trips for Global Volunteers and celebrated our historic Team 100 in China and the opening of An Shang school. Professional Background: In my day-to-day life, I manage the staff and strategic efforts of Global Volunteers and serve as a Trustee on the Board of Directors. I have a Master's Degree in Liberal Studies/International Communications from Hamline University in St. Paul, and a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Minnesota. Before joining the staff of Global Volunteers in 1990, I worked as an unpaid volunteer in a variety of capacities as we grew the organization while I worked full time in public relations and media relations for non-profit clients and for departments within the State of Minnesota. I also worked as an account manager at a Twin Cities-based public relations and advertising firm, and as an event organizer for the United Way. My fondest early work experiences were summer jobs at St. Mary Resort in Montana. While I was doing "minimum wage" assignments as a maid and baker, it was after work in the wide expanses of the Rocky Mountain foothills I learned to fish, ride horseback, backpack, start and tend a campfire, and was exposed to the fascinating culture of the Blackfeet Indian Tribe. One of my greatest satisfactions as a mother has been that I've been able to take each of my sons, individually and together, to my favorite places in Glacier Park, Montana, and in that way, to share some happy pieces of my childhood with them. I was grateful to initiate Global Volunteers' partnership with the Blackfeet Nation in 1999.
I "scuba dived" in the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia, rode on a hot air balloon, and took a helicopter trip over Syndey Harbor -- all in my 50th year! I'm usually up for just about anything!
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I feel very fortunate that as co-founder and Acting CEO of Global Volunteers, I also have the opportunity to lead my choice of teams when the need arises. Over the years, I've led more than 30 teams in the U.S., Australia, South America, Jamaica, Mexico, Africa and Europe. I feel truly privileged to participate in this amazing journey of peace! I know from personal experience we're making a difference all around the world.
They now all work for the "family business!"
Now in the fifth decade of my life, I feel like the best is yet to come. My sons are adults, so I'm free to pursue some of my passions. I'm an outdoor/nature enthusiast, and love downhill and cross-country skiing, biking, hiking, camping, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, white water rafting, zip-lining, picking berries, as well as reading, writing, playing the piano and guitar, singing, attending plays, and learning about new cultures.
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