Michele Raphael

Michele Raphael is a dynamic and recognized leader in communications, culture and the arts. Her pro-bono and advocacy work is focused on uplifting women’s issues and diversity, equity and inclusion. The Managing Editor of AAA’s Westways magazine, she also serves as volunteer Editorial Director for the acclaimed online literary journal Angels Flight • literary west, which she cofounded in 2016. She previously held such roles as Director of Publications & Projects at USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center, Entertainment Editor at LA Weekly, Digital Features Editor and “Cybertainment” Columnist at Los Angeles Times, and founder of boutique media agency Maximizing Media, in which she leveraged marketing communications and digital media to elevate how nonprofits, brands, leaders, publishers, tech companies and institutions gained recognition, increased impact, and grew audience engagement; developed key strategic partnerships; provided crisis relations and secured major media placements. A former National Press Foundation fellow, she hold an MA in Journalism from USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism and BA in French from Pitzer College. She lives in Los Angeles with her teenage daughter and son.