Michelle Adelman is an accomplished leader having spent the last 10 years focused on driving economic development and creating employment opportunities for youth and women in emerging markets. As the founder of Accite Holdings, a boutique firm dedicated to building innovative businesses in the sustainable food sector, she has been instrumental in shaping a healthier and more sustainable food system in the US and abroad.  Michelle’s industry experience is extensive working with clients and growing businesses across agriculture, consumer packaged goods, healthcare, travel & tourism, media and telecommunications.
With 35 years of business experience across industries, Michelle has held key leadership roles, including Global Managing Director at Accenture, CEO of a U.S.-based home health services company, and Group Strategy Executive for the pan-African Econet Group. Her entrepreneurial spirit has led to the founding of pioneering food ventures, such as Go Fresh!, Infinite Foods in Africa and Crossover Meat in the US.
Michelle's contributions have earned her recognition, including being named Africa’s Most Influential Woman in Business & Professional Services by CEO Global in 2017, one of Forbes Africa’s "20 New Wealth Creators" in 2019, and a member of the Meaningful Business 100 in 2021, honoring leaders dedicated to advancing UN Global Goals. In 2022, she was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Cornell University.
Her board experience is extensive, currently serving as a Trustee for Chautauqua Institution and on the Advisory Board to the Plant-based World Expo.  She has previously served on the advisory boards to Cornell University’s Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences, FoodNext Africa and Farming Future Bangladesh; as a Trustee for the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation; Director of publicly-traded Turnstar Holdings, and Director of the Botswana Human Resources Development Council.
Michelle holds a degree in Engineering from Cornell University.