Each December, as the year comes to a close, Chicago Inno takes a look ahead with our Startups to Watch list, a collection of early-stage startups poised for growth in the years to come.
We’ve compiled this list each year since 2014, with the goal of highlighting up-and-coming startups that have shown early signs of promise and the potential to make a big impact. Past Startups to Watch include Tock (acquired by Squarespace) in 2016, unicorns like Tempus and M1 Finance in 2017, breakout consumer startup Cameo in 2019, and Nature’s Fynd, The Mom Project and Fyllo in 2020, three startups that have since gone on to raise large rounds after fast growth.
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Michelle is the Head of Operations at New Era ADR, where she combines her extensive operational experience with a strong understanding of legal and compliance frameworks to drive the company’s growth and strategic initiatives. As the only non-lawyer on the founding team, Michelle offers a unique perspective, leveraging her expertise in compliance and organizational operations to enhance efficiency and foster innovation.
During her early days as a legal assistant with Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago, Michelle recognized there were vast opportunities within the legal field that didn’t require a law degree or practicing as an attorney. She developed a strong interest in the behind-the-scenes work—legal operations, technology, and compliance—areas rich with potential for growth, evolution, and modernization. This insight has shaped her career, positioning her in roles where legal strategy and operational excellence intersect.
Before joining New Era, Michelle was the Director of Compliance and Legal Operations at Civis Analytics, a fast-growing, venture-backed data science technology company born out of President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. Prior to Civis, she spent nearly a decade at Ocean Tomo Auctions/ICAP Patent Brokerage, rising to the role of Head of Organization Operations and Compliance.
Michelle holds a B.A. in Legal Studies from The University of Pittsburgh and is a Certified Diversity Executive.
