WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
MICHELLE PAIGE
SECOND VICE CHAIR, CHATHAM COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY BY ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA
M
ichelle Paige carries
herself with an easy assurance that speaks volumes. She worked in the health care industry for about 20 years, starting out in a Harlem hospital as director of community relations and government affairs. Michelle, who earned a bachelor’s degree in speech communications and marketing from Syracuse University, was responsible for connecting with local residents and lobbying elected officials to improve health care for underserved constituents. Then, she was director of external affairs and corporate contributions for a health insurance company for 11½ years before launching MRP Global Relations in 2017, a consulting company coaching women in high-profile roles. One of her most impactful achievements occurred when her thenhusband, David Paterson, was governor of New York from 2008 to 2010. Michelle expanded a health initiative for 3,000 middle school students in Harlem into a statewide program that included more than 360,000 preteens. The wellness project garnered national and international attention during her tenure as the first lady of New York. Since then, Michelle, who also has a master’s degree in health services 36
CHATHAM MAGAZINE
APRIL / MAY 2022