Introduction:
Michelle’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, reinvention, and the courage to lead with authenticity. From navigating the legal corridors of top organizations like the Golden State Warriors, Gap Inc., and Itochu, to making a bold career shift into executive coaching, her story is about putting people first, embracing change, and defining success on her terms. In this conversation, Michelle shares pivotal moments from her career—being the first woman lawyer at a Japanese corporation, overcoming self-doubt, learning to network in ways that felt natural, and ultimately, finding purpose in coaching and mentoring others. Let’s dive into her inspiring journey.
Harpreet: What personal values or principles have guided you throughout your career? And how have they helped you make difficult decisions?
Michelle: I didn’t have a fully articulated leadership philosophy until my last leadership role. When I look back, one principle has always guided me—putting people first. I focused on building relationships, and the role models I admired most were those who led with authenticity and transparency. I learned that leadership isn’t just about expertise; it’s about trust. And trust comes from being open, real, and invested in people. Without even realizing it for a long time, this approach helped me create strong relationships, which in turn made navigating difficult decisions easier. Ironically, I sometimes wonder if I was always meant to be in people development—perhaps a CHRO instead of a Chief Legal Officer. But regardless of the title, my passion has always been about helping people.
Harpreet: Can you share a specific example of a time when you had to overcome a significant challenge or failure? How did you bounce back?
Michelle: One of the biggest challenges I faced was moving to Tokyo in the mid-90s for a legal role. I didn’t speak the language, had no prior connections, and was the first woman lawyer at the company. I knew I would be different, but I underestimated just how different. Women in that environment traditionally served tea twice a day. Meanwhile, I was supposed to function as a professional lawyer. I felt foreign in every sense. It was lonely, and at times, I questioned my decision to be there. I pushed through by focusing on the uniqueness of the experience. I worked long hours during the week, but every weekend, I explored different parts of Japan. I soaked in the culture, valued the professional exposure, and appreciated that I was experiencing something rare. The biggest reward came years later. About 20 years after I left, a woman became the head of the law department—the first in the entire industry. She was also the youngest vice president at the company. Seeing that shift made all the discomfort worth it. I played a small part in opening doors for future women leaders, and that impact meant everything.
Harpreet: In moments of self-doubt, how do you build yourself back up?
Michelle: Self-doubt is part of the journey, and I’ve learned to manage it rather than let it stop me. One of the best habits I developed is keeping a “brag file.” I save positive feedback—thank-you notes, emails, client testimonials—so that whenever doubt creeps in, I can remind myself of the impact I’ve had. Another thing that helps is leaning on my network. I’ve had incredible mentors who saw things in me that I didn’t always see in myself. Surrounding yourself with champions who remind you of your worth is key. I also try to remind myself that perfection isn’t the goal—growth is. Even Supreme Court justices have experienced imposter syndrome! Knowing that helped me reframe my doubts and focus on progress instead of perfection.
Harpreet: What’s the most enduring part of your identity that keeps emerging for you?
Michelle: Community building. Whether as a lawyer, a leader, or now as a coach, I’ve always been drawn to bringing people together. At Gap Inc., I worked with leaders from other major brands to share best practices. I co-founded UCLA Law Women LEAD, a group that started as a way to support others but has, in turn, supported me. When I look back, every big career move or opportunity has been shaped by relationships. That’s why I tell women—networking isn’t about cold emails or awkward events. It’s about building real relationships in ways that feel natural to you.
Harpreet: You mentioned having mentors. How did you create a circle of support, especially in male-dominated spaces?
Michelle: At the time, I didn’t think about it strategically. But looking back, I realize I built relationships by being useful, reliable, and supportive. I didn’t just ask for help—I gave without expecting anything in return. I worked hard, filled in gaps, and made sure the people around me looked good. That generosity came back to me in the form of mentors and sponsors. My only woman boss didn’t just support me—she saw things in me that I didn’t see in myself. She pushed me in ways that helped me grow. That’s why I tell women—mentorship isn’t just about finding the right person. It’s about giving, showing up, and adding value in ways that make people want to invest in you.
Harpreet: Was there a specific moment or experience that made you realize the true importance of networking and building relationships? What triggered that shift in your mindset?
Michelle: It happened when I took a stretch role at Gap Inc.—a job where I didn’t have deep expertise. I quickly realized that I needed insights from others who had done this before, so I reached out to professionals at companies like McDonald’s and other industry leaders. I asked for their advice, best practices, and lessons learned—and it was invaluable. And something clicked—I realized it was awkward to build relationships when you REACH out because you need something. That’s when I understood:
-You don’t build a network when you need one—you build it long before.-Strong relationships open doors before you even realize you need them.
So I started proactively joining industry groups, mentoring others, and fostering connections inside and outside my company.
Harpreet: Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self?
Michelle: Without a doubt—networking. Early in my career, I was laser-focused on getting the work done. I put my head down, met deadlines, and worked through lunches instead of using that time to connect with others. Later, I realized that your work alone won’t take you to the next level—relationships will. In fields like law, where there’s constant pressure to bill hours, it’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of just doing the work. But success isn’t just about the work—it’s about who you know, who knows you, and who’s willing to advocate for you. If I could go back, I would prioritize relationships from day one—whether that meant attending industry events, having lunch with colleagues, or seeking mentors before I needed them.
Harpreet: Many women struggle with networking. What advice would you give them?
Michelle: The biggest misconception about networking is that it has to look a certain way—big conferences, cocktail parties, golf games, forced small talk. That’s not true. Networking is just relationship-building. For me, networking looks like one-to-one coffee dates, virtual tea chats, walking meetings, and engaging on LinkedIn. You don’t have to do what others do—find what works for you and lean into that. Also, don’t overthink your value in a professional relationship. I’ve learned just as much from my mentees as they have from me. One young person I mentored taught me about artificial intelligence long before it became mainstream. Another helped me navigate social media when I was an executive at Gap Inc. Mentorship is always a two-way street. For many women, it’s a balancing act—juggling work, family, and career growth. We often think, "If I just work through lunch, I’ll get home to my family faster." But there is work beyond the work—the kind that helps you grow, advance, and create long-term success.
Harpreet: Finally, what does ‘being unapologetically Michelle’ mean to you?
Michelle: It means defining success on my terms. For years, I chased external markers of success—titles, promotions. But what truly matters isn’t how many accolades you’ve earned; it’s how you feel about your life. For me, that meant shifting from corporate law to coaching. It meant embracing a life where I could focus on what I love—helping people grow. I no longer measure success by what others expect of me. I measure it by whether I’m living in alignment with my values. Being unapologetically me means showing up as my authentic self, creating space for others to do the same, and never shrinking to fit expectations.
Michelle is a coauthor of Women in Law: Discovering the True Meaning of Success, available from Amazon, bookshop.org, and other booksellers.
ALLOW YOURSELF A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Michelle’s story reminds us that leadership isn’t just about expertise; it’s about trust, connection, and owning our unique path. As you reflect on her story, consider:
1. Are you prioritizing relationships, or are you too focused on the work?
2. How do you define success—by external recognition or by what truly fulfills you?
3. What small steps can you take today to build a network in a way that feels authentic to you?
Harpreet Ghumman
Speaking, Coaching & Masterclasses
I help women leaders and organizations break through challenges like these every day. What would be possible if you showed up fully, owned your voice, and led unapologetically?
Let’s make it happen.