AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Michele Reynolds has received numerous accolades 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 Restoring Citizen Award and the Gary A. Mohr Director’s Award from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. In 2016, she was bestowed with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from former President Barack Obama. In 2017, 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, she was inducted into the Ohio Commodores and received the Central Ohio Social Justice Award for Outstanding Leadership. In 2023, she was recognized with the CALI Award for Outstanding Law Student in Interviewing, Counseling, and Negotiation. In 2024, she was honored with the Community Association of Pakistani Americans Award of Appreciation. In 2025, she received the CALI Award for Outstanding Law Student in Legal Remedies. In 2025, she was recognized as 2x Legislator of the Year from The Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Children’s Hunger Alliance.

EDUCATION

Michele Reynolds graduated from Buckeye Local High School with honors, ranking in the top 10% of her class. She earned a full academic scholarship to attend the University of Cincinnati, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. She continued her education with a Master of Arts in Public Administration and Urban Studies from the University of Akron, followed by a Master of Laws from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Michele has also completed all but dissertation requirements toward a Doctorate in Business Administration from Northcentral University. In addition, she attended Hondros College and is a licensed Real Estate Salesperson in the State of Ohio, specializing in commercial real estate. Her academic achievements also include an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from CICA International University and Seminary and, in 2024, an Honorary Doctorate in Civic Law from Ohio Christian University. Michele recently completed her Juris Doctor at the University of Dayton School of Law through its hybrid program.

EXPERIENCE

As a young professional, Michele worked in public service and held various positions in City and County government, including Assistant Clerk of the Board of the Hamilton County Commissioners, and the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development in Akron, Ohio. After leaving the public sector to build a career in the private, nonprofit sector, Michele ran for countywide office 19 years later as the endorsed Republican Candidate for Franklin County Commissioner.  In 2019, she was elected Township Trustee for Madison Township in Franklin County.

Michele Reynolds is a faith leader, public servant and successful business owner with over 25 years of professional experience in business, government and non-profit management. She was appointed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine as the Director of the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, where she managed a $13.5M budget. She operates multiple businesses in 5 Ohio cities, including Columbus, Akron, Mansfield, Chillicothe and Cleveland. She is a former adjunct instructor of Kaplan College, where she taught in the Criminal Justice Technology program for 3 years.

PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Housed over 6000 returning citizens in affordable housing settings across Ohio.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Created more than 200 jobs, 8 successful businesses, and launched a business incubator to support the needs of entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners in Central Ohio.

PUBLIC SERVICE

As a Township Trustee, she helped modernize Madison Township by increasing fiscal transparency, securing funding for public safety, cutting government spending, and strengthening community engagement through initiatives such as a Citizens Advisory Committee and an At-Risk Resident Registry. As former Director of The Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, she expanded partnerships to better serve vulnerable populations across Ohio. Today, she brings that same results-driven, community-first approach to the State Senate—focused on protecting families, expanding opportunity, and strengthening communities.