As National Director of Books from Birth, Michelle Sioson Hyman is the organization’s principal leader responsible for the strategic vision, execution, and national expansion of the Books from Birth program. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, Michelle serves as the primary driver of the "Books from Birth for All" scaled impact initiative, ensuring its long-term viability across North Carolina and nationwide. She is a strategic expert in building cross-sector partnerships, particularly with healthcare leaders and national funders, to secure sustainable funding and expand access to early literacy from day one.

In addition to her leadership at the organization, Michelle serves as a Senior Consultant for the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Her distinguished career includes serving as Senior Vice President of Program and Partnerships at Raising a Reader, where she led the launch of national program models, and over a decade at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, where she led regional initiatives to align early learning, health, and K–12 systems.

Michelle’s professional dedication to the earliest years of childhood is complemented by her background as a certified birth doula. Now based in Salt Lake City with her family and their sweet dog, she enjoys outdoor adventures and is always on the lookout for the perfect bakery. Her favorite book as a child was Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion.