Michelle Shanty joined DBC in September 2024 as Human Resources Manager in the Holland office. Her work touches nearly every part of the employee experience, from recruiting and benefits to supporting staff and helping firm leadership work through workplace questions. The part she enjoys most is getting to know the people behind it all.
Michelle enjoys making connections with colleagues and helping them work through questions, including the ones they may not have known to ask.
One subject she is especially passionate about is employee benefits. Michelle knows firsthand how frustrating it can be to navigate a plan you do not fully understand, and she wants DBC’s employees to feel comfortable asking questions about their coverage.
That is why she puts so much thought into the firm’s open enrollment presentations. Her goal is to help employees understand what they have, what is changing, and how to use their benefits in ways that make sense for their families.
Michelle’s educational background began with a love of language. She earned her undergraduate degree in English with a specialization in Language and Literature from Grand Valley State University. She later completed a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management and a Master of Business Administration at Davenport University.
Outside of work, Michelle shares a busy home with her husband, Brent, their children, Beckett and Iris, and her best friend, Kara, and Kara’s daughter, Winry. Already known as Aunt Kara to Michelle’s children, Kara was part of the family long before they decided to buy a house together.
Michelle’s family extends to a much-loved group of pets. Their dog, Goose, is a Bernese Mountain Dog and Golden Retriever mix, and their five cats include Pluto, Zelda, Serena, Fernando, and Roland. With that many people and pets under one roof, there is rarely a quiet moment.
The most unexpected member of the household is Lucille Ball Python. When Winry was three, her parents promised she could have a snake for her tenth birthday. She remembered, and years later, they kept their promise. Although Michelle had no part in the original arrangement, she has come to appreciate Lucille, especially from the other side of the glass.
In her spare time, Michelle is learning to crochet. Scarves are her specialty so far, and she hopes to tackle more complicated projects with help from a few more tutorials. She also has a fascination with weather science, particularly cloud formations. Given the chance, she would happily return to school just to study them.
Whether she is figuring out a crochet pattern or helping a colleague understand a benefits question, Michelle enjoys learning and sharing what she knows. We’re glad to have her warmth, humor, and care for others here at DBC.