Dr. Reynolds is a compassionate public servant, social entrepreneur and successful business owner with over 25 years of professional experience in business and public administration. In 2019, she was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine as his Director of the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Between 2019-2022, she helped over 250 nonprofit organizations secure more than $40 million in state funding to help continue their mission and build organizational capacity. Under her leadership as Founder and CEO of NISRE Inc.- a faith-based non-profit community development organization, Dr. Reynolds has housed over 5000 restored citizens in Ohio and created workforce opportunities in low opportunity areas throughout Franklin County.

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Awards and Recognition

 

Michele Reynolds has received multiple awards for her outreach work and humanitarian efforts. In 2005, she was honored with the ‘Employer Excellence Award’ by the Ohio Rehabilitative Services Commission. In 2015, she received the Jerry Revish ‘RestoringCitizen Award’ and the Gary A. Mohr, Director’s Award by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. In 2016, she was bestowed with a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from former President Barack Obama. In2017, she was awarded the Community Champion Award by The Finance Fund and the Jonathan Jasper Wright Award by the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. In 2018, she was conferred an honorary Doctorate degree in Humanities from CICA University and International Seminary. In 2019, Michele was inducted into the Ohio Commodores and received a 2019 Central Ohio Social Justice Award for Outstanding Leadership.

 

In the Community 

 

As an elected leader, Michele Reynolds was elected as Madison Township Trustee in 2019 and proudly serves as Board Chair. Michele Reynolds is a member of the Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute, Columbus Realtors, Zeta Phi BetaSorority Incorporated, National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice- Ohio Chapter, Ohio Black Republican Association, the Columbus Chapter of the NAACP, and the Asian American Commerce Group. She serves as a Trustee on the Canal Winchester Humans Services Board.

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From Dr. Reynolds

By serving others, I became passionate about helping people who cannot help themselves. As I matured, my commitment to faith, family, and public service guided me to my life’s work: creating opportunities for individuals in need of a second chance. In my 25 years as a faith leader, public servant, and entrepreneur, I have upheld this ideal while strengthening my community through empathetic leadership and advocacy. Now, I am ready to embrace my next challenge on my life’s journey: a career in the law, which will allow me to continue shaping society and serving vulnerable people through God’s grace.”