Jet-Set Executive Mom on the Street: Michelle Silverthorn
Whether she’s speaking to executives on diversity in the workplace or traveling the world with her family, Jet-Set Executive Mom on the Street Michelle Silverthorn has a gorgeous, classic style.
Meet Michelle
Michelle Silverthorn is the Founder and CEO of Inclusion Nation, a diversity consulting firm based in Chicago. Michelle founded Inclusion Nation on the belief that diversity and inclusion needs a new voice for a new generation. A recognized expert in organizational diversity, Michelle works with clients in all industries to design spaces centered on courage, belonging, and authenticity. She equips her audiences across the country with the knowledge and skills to finally move forward on diversity and inclusion.
A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Michigan Law School, Michelle practiced for two large law firms in New York and Chicago. She then transitioned into the legal education field where she trained thousands of attorneys – in-person and online – about implicit bias, diversity and inclusion, and millennials in the workplace. Michelle has written numerous articles on those topics, including a well-received op-ed for the Chicago Tribune on implicit bias. She is a TEDx speaker and the author of the forthcoming book, Your Organization is Not a Melting Pot: How to Recruit, Train and Lead a Diverse Workforce.
Michelle previously worked as an arts and entertainment journalist in Trinidad and Tobago, a legal researcher in Puno, Peru and Geneva, Switzerland, and a volunteer teacher in Gaborone, Botswana and Almaty, Kazakhstan. She grew up in the Caribbean and now lives in Chicago with her husband Daniel and their two daughters.
Jet-Set Executive Style
Which three words best describe your style? Comfortable, Colorful, Classic
What are your favorite places to shop? The Ralph Lauren dress section at Macy’s.
Who’s your favorite style icon? Michelle Obama. I also love how Chadwick Boseman is redefining men’s wear, and Zendaya is encouraging young men and women to wear gender-neutral clothing.
What’s your best style advice? Everyone should wear more color! Jewel tones especially.
What article of clothing/accessory would you not want to live without? My necklace.
Which trend would you want to see make a comeback? I loved my bell bottom jeans.
What should NEVER make a comeback? Are we done with sheer dresses yet? No? Sigh.
What fashion/style did you love at the time, but now cringe when you see old photos? Scrunchies.
What’s your best style secret? If you buy a certain amount of makeup, Sephora will give you a free one-hour makeover session with their extremely talented makeup artists. Most makeup counters will too but Sephora is truly the best. I speak in front of large crowds every week so I take great advantage of this.
Stilettos or flats? I love how stilettos look but if I’m standing for 90 minutes talking about race and gender and bias, you better believe I’m doing it in flats.
Jet-Set Executive Family
What’s your favorite way to spend time with your family? Traveling.
What’s been your best family vacation? Yellowstone National Park. We booked in a week before we left and were able to stay in the Old Faithful Lodge. Seeing Old Faithful under the blanket of stars should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Best parenting advice: Stop comparing yourself to other parents.
Parenting true confession: I, a black mom, sometimes do not fully comb my children’s hair before going out. If this does not shock you, then you are not a black mom.
What’s your go-to family dinner? Spaghetti and marinara sauce.
What’s your favorite family restaurant? We live in the heart of Chicago so have a lot of restaurants on our street. Too many favorites, but I would have to pick the ones where kids eat free from 4-6pm.
Jet-Set Executive Life
What’s your favorite show to binge watch? Brooklyn-99
If you could pick anyone to star as you in a movie based on your life, who would it be? Is Michelle Obama available? Oh, she’s busy? Ah well.
What’s your favorite beach read? Anything written by Sophie Kinsella.
What’s the best song to dance to when nobody’s watching? Baby Shark, do do do do do.
If you could go shopping with anyone from history, living or deceased, who would it be?
I mean, you know my answer to this. But if Michelle isn’t available, Diana Ross. I’ll just go into her closet, thanks.
What’s at the top of your travel bucket list? We’re fortunate to tick this off every year. This year it’s Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. The food will be glorious.
What’s your favorite way to unwind at the end of the day? I just love to cook.
Your Jet-Set Executive Style
We love Michelle’s confident and sophisticated jet-set executive style! She wears great colors and elegantly infuses them into her wardrobe- including incorporating them into her perfect red lipstick that highlights her stunning smile. Even if she’s just hanging out with the family, Michelle knows the power of a great signature strand of pearls.
We also love the way that Michelle is using her expertise and experience to empower leaders to promote inclusion within their workforce. Be sure to check out Inclusion Nation’s website, or follow Michelle on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about her work and upcoming projects!
And be sure to read FamilyApp’s Mom on the Street Channel for more great style!
