Michelle Hayes

After 25 years of executive leadership with Hannaford Supermarkets, Michelle Hayes co-founded human resources consulting firm Smith, Kjelgaard & Hayes. Hayes has been an active and passionate community leader throughout her career. She is a past chairwoman of the Good Shepherd Food Bank’s Board of Directors, and served as an Olympia Snowe Leadership Advisor mentoring high school girls in Maine. Additionally, she has served as a board member for the Portland Symphony Orchestra, Cumberland County YMCA, Kids First Center and Ketcha Outdoors. Hayes is a Thomas College alumna and currently serves on its board of trustees. She is extremely passionate about supporting first generation college students.

The daughter of a career Navy officer, Hayes acquired a deep curiosity of cultures and people early in life. Her family landed in Downeast Maine during her high school years as her father completed his military career in Cutler. Although she and her husband, Peter, raised their family in Scarborough, her love of Maine began on the Bold Coast.