Michelle Whipple-Duclos, a dedicated community member, is running for the Ashburnham Select Board for the upcoming 1-year term. 

• Michelle and her family relocated to Ashburnham 16 years ago to provide a nurturing environment for their children which is reminiscent of her hometown of Templeton. She and her husband have been steadfast supporters, volunteering their time and resources in various local sports and music programs that her children engage in. Michelle is an avid quilter in her free time and enjoys the creativity while developing the skills and fabric stash to support that habit.

• For almost 10 years, Michelle has served as the Service Unit Manager for Girl Scouts in Ashburnham, Westminster, and Winchendon, fostering leadership skills among both Girl Scout leaders and members. Along with the Girl Scouts, she has passionately contributed to community initiatives such as the annual food drive and events organized by the Parks and Recreation Committee, reflecting her commitment to giving back.

• In her professional career, Michelle holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and boasts over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology sector. Her career highlights include spearheading quality for a significant greenfield construction project, formulating company policies to ensure regulatory adherence, and championing global policy implementation. As part of  professional organization committees, Michelle has played a pivotal role in influencing positive changes within her field. With exceptional writing, communication, and problem-solving skills, she is adept at crafting solutions that not only comply with regulations but also cater to the needs of people.

• Michelle's conscientious approach is further evidenced by her dedication to attending town meetings and studying select board proceedings in Ashburnham and neighboring towns over the past two years. Michelle believes constructive dialogue produces the best decisions for the community she holds dear.