About Michelle Gillespie

Michelle Gillespie has a background in engineering and project management across both private and public sectors. Over the course of her career, she progressed into a leadership role and, prior to her acoustic neuroma diagnosis, led a team responsible for delivering municipal water and wastewater treatment plant projects.

In December 2019, Michelle was unexpectedly diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, requiring urgent brain surgery just two months later, in February 2020. The experience brought life-altering challenges, including facial paralysis, single-sided deafness, balance difficulties, and cognitive and emotional impacts. Since then, she has undergone three facial reanimation surgeries in an effort to regain some lost facial function.

Discovering ANAC during her long recovery—alongside the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic—was a turning point. Finding hope and support within a community that truly understands the acoustic neuroma journey made a profound difference. Michelle only wishes she had found ANAC sooner. Motivated to help reach patients earlier in their journeys, she began volunteering with ANAC in Spring 2022, creating content for the organization’s Facebook page to raise awareness and broaden its reach. This allowed her to channel her creativity and passion for connection while supporting others navigating similar paths.

In January 2023, Michelle assumed the role of National Operations Director. She brings to the position a deep commitment to the AN community, along with strong leadership, strategic planning, organizational skills, and a passion for advocacy and improving patient care. Michelle is especially devoted to shedding light on the often invisible, misunderstood, or minimized challenges of life after an acoustic neuroma diagnosis—working to break down barriers to support and treatment access.

Michelle is an artist at heart. She loves expressing her creativity—not only through the self-taught graphic design work she contributes to ANAC, but also through personal hobbies like crafting, designing, and gardening. She also enjoys spending time outdoors, especially camping with family and friends. Michelle lives in Grimsby, Ontario, with her loving husband and their two beautiful children.