Meet the 2015 Board Chair: Michele Minter

Michele Minter has been an Isles trustee, including board vice chair, since 2012. This month, she assumes the role of Isles' Board Chair. Michele is vice provost for institutional equity and diversity at Princeton University, where she  oversees Princeton's diversity, inclusion, and educational access initiatives. She also serves as the chief compliance officer for Affirmative Action, Title IX, and the American with Disabilities Act.  Before Princeton, Michele was  vice president for development at the College Board and she was director of development and campaign director at Princeton University.  She brings years of philanthropic and board experience having served on the boards of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, the Women's Philanthropy Institute, Princeton Library Foundation, and others.

Michele was introduced to Isles many years ago when she and her husband, Jeff Yuan, took their children on a tour of the Isles-supported community gardens. She says, "It was an honor to be the guest of the community gardeners and see the beautiful spaces that they were creating -- and sample their fresh produce! At the same time, it was clear that many of the neighborhoods around those gardens needed and deserved more resources and partners. We liked Isles' combination of vision and humility in grounding itself deeply in Trenton and the environs and giving citizens the tools to take control over their own well-being." 

Michele's passion for Trenton and the region stems from her family's long-term commitment to central New Jersey and to social justice. "As a matter of justice, none of us can thrive here if everyone doesn't have the opportunity to thrive.  Isles understands that building self-reliant people and communities means engaging in multiple ways and on multiple levels -- around education, health, advocacy, jobs, and community partnerships. Isles does that work efficiently and with high return on investment. Serving on the board has been a wonderful opportunity to learn from some of the smartest, most committed people around -- Marty Johnson and his staff. Their knowledge and commitment are extraordinary."