BIO

Once an international model and actress, Michelle spent nearly two decades working in the spotlight — from glossy fashion editorials and runways to film and theater. It was, in many ways, the life most young girls dream of. But in the summer of 2011, life handed her a plot twist no script had prepared her for:

A tragic accident and two years as a hospital patient. What could have broken her became the catalyst for something entirely unexpected. Moved by the warm care of the nursing team who carried her through her darkest hours, Michelle chose a radical career shift — trading the spotlight and cameras for science and humane care. She began again.
Michelle earned her Bachelor of Nursing in 2019, followed by a specialization in ICU & Emergency Care (2021). Her passion for leadership, patient experience, and systemic change led her to pursue further training in Patient Experience Tools & Methodologies (SPX, France). Currently, she is completing her Master on Nursing Research at the University of Antwerp (2023-2027).

In 2022, her research “A plea for warm nursing care in ICU” — awarded with a  GREAT DISTINCTION — validated she was on to something. Something that mattered. As this paper confirmed what she already knew deeply as both patient and nurse: that even in high-tech and high-stress environments, it is warm human connection that patients remember most.

Her work continues to advocate for healthcare systems that don’t just strive for excellence, but for humanity. Now a nurse, researcher, and public speaker, Michelle is traveling the globe with her unique voice — blending academic insight, lived experience, and a rebellious edge. All to spark new conversations about what sustainable and humane care truly means. In her talks Michelle invites us all to rethink how we care without losing ourselves in the process. Yes, she’s walked the runway — but she’s also walked through fire. Her transition from Model to Patient to Nurse gave her a unique perspective on HOW we care for others.