Michelle Staes

Michelle is the Director of Planned Giving. She is responsible for promoting philanthropic giving by donors through non cash gifts and in their estate plans to advance the mission of The Conservation Fund.

Michelle has been with the organization since 2025. Before joining the fund, Michelle worked for United Way of Greater Atlanta, The Southern Poverty Law Center, the National of Office of The American Heart Association among other non-profits. She has 20 years of experience in Planned Giving and Major Gifts. Prior to her work in development Michelle practiced Environmental Law with EPA, Region 4 in Atlanta.

She is a graduate of Spelman College and Tulane Law School. She resides in Atlanta with her husband, Steven. They met in law school and have three young adult children.