Beth A. Michaels

Since 1976, Beth has been working with individuals and groups to help them achieve their goals.  She is a principal and the lead consultant for Primer, Michaels and Associates, a management consulting firm specializing in leadership, culture, and short term strategic planning and implementation.  Beth earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and her Master’s from the University of Illinois in Champaign. 

Beth’s clients include leaders and their teams from businesses and non-profit organizations of all sizes.  Examples include Johnson and Johnson, Kraft Foods, Motorola, Rotary International, Steppenwolf Theatre and the Ounce of Prevention Fund.  Beth helps people come together on common goals and succeed with actionable, realistic objectives.  She ensures that decision-making, execution and performance management are integrated, so that the work is meaningful daily.

Beth also has specific expertise in facilitation skills.  Groups find that they are able to progress more effectively and efficiently to arrive at concrete decisions, solutions, and responsibilities with Beth’s facilitative leadership.  She knows how to crystallize the conversation so people can readily understand the alternative viewpoints in the room, leveraging diversity for the best result.

In the fall of 2003, Wiley Publications released her first book, Investment Leadership: Building a Winning Culture for Long Term Success, which has resulted in world-wide interest and acclaim.

In 2006, Northwestern University’s School of Continuing Studies invited Beth to design and teach a new leadership course (Foundations of Leadership), now required for all the graduate degree programs outside of the business school.

While Beth’s professional focus is adult goal fulfillment, her volunteer activities are devoted to ensuring children reach their potential.  On the local level, Beth is in her tenth year of service on her elementary school district’s board, working to forward the educational goals and policies of her community.  She was appointed to the board of the Consortium for Education Change.  Regionally, Beth heads up a task force for Early Education Equity, in conjunction with United Power for Action and Justice.  Internationally, Beth facilitates the work of the steering council of Women Build, a division of Habitat for Humanity, with a focus on helping African women build homes for their families.

Beth is married and the mother of two young adults.  She enjoys all kinds of crafts, music, and a variety of outdoor activities.

Beth has been described as having “uncommon common sense” with her ability to help her clients reach their objectives.