Michelle Gurung has over 8 years of work experience in the development sector including research and advocacy, programme Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), and impact assessment.  She holds a Masters degree in Public Policy and Governance from Azim Premji University, Bangalore, and Bachelors in Sociology from St.Xaviers College, Kolkata.

At SoStakes, apart from business development, she also conducts M&E and Impact Assessment of CSR projects that spans sectors – education, livelihood, and skill development. Before SoStakes, Michelle worked with Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Darjeeling, West Bengal to implement a conservation and livelihood programme in the forest communities of Darjeeling hills. She has led a livelihood initiative ‘Life and Leaf’ – a marketing platform for small tea farmers and local artisans. Michelle has also worked with Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Delhi as a Right to Information advocate