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The entrepreneurial spirit has always burned within Michele M. Etzel ’87 VSB. As a student, Etzel embarked on new challenges and was provided with the opportunity to achieve her goals through perseverance and, more simply, by taking a chance.

Etzel recalls asking a VSB dean if she might be able to create her own internship; he agreed with certain stipulations Etzel would have to meet. She met these with her employer’s support, while still following ����ר��’s requirements, making her one of the first students to do something in this manner.  

Later, while still an undergraduate student, a law professor accepted her challenge to shadow a judge in a Philadelphia courtroom and lawyers in their law offices, warning she would need to work twice as hard in order to be successful in both. She excelled, once again becoming one of the first undergraduate students to do so during the school year.

“����ר�� gave me the flexibility to achieve goals while taking a more unconventional path,” Etzel said. “I am proud that this has followed me throughout my life and resulted in testing boundaries, trying new things, and opening new doors.”

Such a path led her to CFO and Executive Vice President of National Graphics Inc., a privately held national manufacturing company, and founder and CEO of National Enterprise Solutions, a Certified Woman Owned business entity. Yet, Etzel has never lost sight of the impact others had on her journey, seeking to pay it forward to a new generation of entrepreneurs and professional women.

“As a mother and avid supporter of women, I am thankful for the grounding and stable moral compass ����ר�� provided,” Etzel reflected. “I feel ����ר�� was a launching pad to explore all facets of the business world and to be entrepreneur, while never forgetting to support those around me and help others be the best they can be through mentoring.”

As such, Etzel continues to give back to her local and ����ר�� communities. She serves, or previously served, on the boards and as a member of the executive committees of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, the Girl Scouts of Connecticut, and the International Women’s Forum – CT. She also served as chair of the VSB Dean’s Advisory Council (2020-2022).

“I firmly believe in paying it forward and working collaboratively with others to achieve a common goal, both within business and THE community,” says Etzel. “Every ����ר�� experience gave me the confidence to branch out, take on challenges, and helped shape me into who I am today.”