Meet Our Board of Directors.

Board Chair

Shirley Bailey

Vice Chair

Michelle Burnett

Michelle Burnett is a government contracting professional, small business advocate, and strategic connector with more than 17 years of experience in federal contracting, business development, and partnership development. She is a longtime champion of the HUBZone Program and the small businesses, families, and communities it was created to serve. Throughout her career, Michelle has served in a range of roles across the government contracting ecosystem, including HUBZone Program Manager, business development professional, Facility Security Officer, federal contractor, consultant, nonprofit leader, and entrepreneur. This breadth of experience gives her a practical perspective on the challenges small businesses face and the impact they can make when equipped with the right opportunities, resources, and relationships. Michelle has worked with federal agencies, prime contractors, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, workforce organizations, and community leaders to build partnerships and advance collaborative approaches to economic and business development. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the HUBZone Contractors National Council, supporting national efforts in small business advocacy, workforce development, supplier engagement, strategic partnerships, and strengthening the HUBZone ecosystem. Central to Michelle’s work is her “Whole Team Approach”—the belief that meaningful, lasting change happens when government, industry, education, workforce organizations, nonprofits, small businesses, and communities work together around a shared mission. Her work focuses on building connections and turning relationships into action. Michelle’s commitment is also personal. She calls Oakland, Maryland, a small rural community within a designated HUBZone, home. As a mother of two, she views economic development not only through contracts, programs, and policy, but through the opportunities available to families, local business owners, and the next generation. This perspective fuels her passion for strengthening America’s industrial base, expanding opportunity in rural and economically distressed communities, developing the future workforce, and ensuring small businesses contribute meaningfully to economic and national security priorities. At the heart of Michelle’s work is a simple belief: relationships matter. She measures success not only by contracts awarded or businesses grown, but by the opportunities created for people, families, and communities—and by whether today’s work leaves something stronger for the next generation.

Vice Chair

Tim Hagerty

Secretary

Bruce Hargrave

General Counsel

Sarah Nash

Treasurer

Victor Holt

Board Member

Morris Davis

Board Member

Lee Cunningham

Board Member

Marc Goldschmitt