A Sarasota native, Kurnov moved back to the area in 2015 with her husband, Gary, and two children. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit and education sectors in various leadership roles.

Locally, Kurnov has worked at both the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee as the Assistant Vice President of Student Success, as well as at New College of Florida’s Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence and Student Affairs to promote community outreach and student success. Kurnov received her Doctor of Education degree in 2021 from the University of South Florida, and she is a proud alum of the Florida Gulf Coast Leadership Institute Class of 2018.

Most recently, Kurnov ran for the Sarasota County School Board. Throughout her campaign, Lauren built a broad coalition of community support, secured notable key endorsements, and raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars in direct campaign contributions.

Michelle moved to Sarasota in 2011 after graduating from college, where she received her Bachelor’s in English with Magna Cum Laude honors. She focused her degree on creative writing and postmodern American Literature.

From 2012 to 2016, Michelle worked for the Education Foundation of Sarasota County as their Program and Events Director. She was responsible for their Classroom Grants Program, their gala: the Evening of Excellence art competition and auction, the Science Fair, and other initiatives and collaborations with the local School Board.

Since 2016, Michelle has served as RCLA's Membership and Events Administrator attending to all our customers' inquiries and needs. Michelle has a passion for education and the arts, and looks forward to meeting the wonderful members that make RCLA organization so successful for the community and Ringling College.

Michelle was recently promoted to Operations Manager, allowing her additional access to logistics and event planning for RCLA and TOWN HALL.

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