Michelle Auriana Simmons is a public engagement and communications professional with over 25 years of experience, working in various aspects of communications and media. She specializes in creating community outreach programs for federal, state and municipal projects. During her career she has worked with the many diverse groups of people in South Florida, ensuring their participation in the decision-making process for a variety of major projects affecting their community.
Formerly the Public Involvement and Government Affairs Liaison for Miami-Dade Transit (MDT), she facilitated and coordinated meetings and special events. These included: project and land use design charrettes; groundbreakings and project openings for MDT Transit-Oriented Development projects; MDT Transportation Summit, the American Public Transportation Association and Rail-Volution conferences; and project completion events for City of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department. She serves as the project liaison to elected officials, boards, agencies and special interest groups and continues to provide consultation services in the area of public relations for various municipalities and counties in Central and South Florida as well as on behalf of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
Michelle received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish from Winthrop College (now Winthrop University) and a Master of Arts Degree in Spanish from Furman University.
As a Spanish instructor she has taught on the primary, secondary, adult education levels and currently is an Adjunct Professor at Broward College. She has also served as an on-air Spanish instructor for one of the first distance learning programs in the country.