Michelle Morazán
Michelle Morazán is a dedicated champion for New York City's underserved communities, with a 25+ year career marked by a relentless pursuit of equity and social responsibility. As a strategic policy analyst, seasoned public sector and nonprofit strategist, and impactful educator, she uniquely translates complex research into compelling narratives that drive meaningful action and positive change. With a keen ability to weave opportunities together across the public sector, Michelle creates strategic partnerships that benefit both communities and the organizations that serve them. She serves as a vital bridge between research and practice, translating academic insights into actionable solutions while bringing real-world challenges back to inform scholarly understanding. Michelle thrives on incubating innovative ideas to address society's most pressing social challenges.
In her role as Vice President of Policy and Strategy Development at SOMOS Community Care, Michelle spearheads initiatives that address the full spectrum of health needs—physical, mental, and social determinants—for the most vulnerable New Yorkers. She secures significant public funding for critical health equity projects and expands access to vital preventative care. Her ability to craft powerful case statements from rigorous policy analysis and deep community engagement empowers organizations to achieve transformative growth.
A fierce advocate for community-based organizations, Michelle champions nonprofit partners as vital infrastructure in our healthcare system, and is a leading proponent of government contracting reform that recognizes CBOs as essential, equitable partners rather than vendors. Her pioneering doctoral research on nonprofit contracting provides profound insights into strategies that sustain and expand services for vulnerable populations.
Michelle is particularly passionate about empowering young people, especially young immigrant students. As a Political Science and Public Policy Professor at CUNY and SUNY, she fosters critical thinking and civic engagement, actively supporting students' pathways to public service careers. Her transformative leadership at Alianza Dominicana, a Latino-led organization focused on human services and youth development, further underscores her commitment to community-based solutions and supporting the next generation. She holds advanced degrees from CUNY Graduate Center, New York University, and Cornell University.
