Professional Spotlight
Michelle G. Garcia
Founder & Executive Director
🌏 Filipino American 📍 New York / Massachusetts
Michelle G. Garcia is a second-generation Filipina American who is passionate about supporting the mental health of Asian youth, families, and communities.
Michelle started her career in global education, health & human rights - working in education in Southeast Asia; refugee resettlement in New York; human rights in the Middle East; and justice, equity, diversity & inclusion in higher education.
Following her own experiences of burnout and trauma, Michelle transitioned to the mental health field. She became a mental health educator & trainer; and learned self-compassion, self-care, and stress management strategies that were transformative for her own wellbeing.
Since 2019, Michelle has worked as a consultant specializing in the intersection of mental health, DEI, and leadership. She founded Thriving Asians to advance culturally meaningful mental health education & initiatives reflective of shared Asian values; and to cultivate mental health leadership among the next generation of Asian youth.