Michelle Wilmot m@michellewilmot.com  ·  206-465-0070  ·  LinkedIn
Portrait of Michelle Wilmot
Government & Business Relations

Michelle Wilmot

I work where government and business meet.

I lead complex initiatives that require experience, relationships, and sound judgment.

My work has brought together business executives, elected officials, educators, and public agencies to turn shared priorities into results.

What I do

Four areas of practice

Government & Business Relations

I help organizations navigate government, build relationships with decision-makers, and bring together the partners needed to advance important initiatives.

Economic Development

From business retention and recruitment to small-business outreach and funding strategy, I put economic development plans into action.

Strategic Communications

I shape how organizations make their case, from strategy and press content to stakeholder messaging and campaign materials, and keep the message steady when a crisis hits.

Events & Stakeholder Engagement

Whether it’s an advisory committee meeting or a STEM festival drawing thousands, I lead events that bring the right people together and move work forward.

Who I serve
Cities & counties Ports & public agencies Businesses & industry associations Economic development organizations
Results & recognition

From the Kent Valley, one of America’s top manufacturing regions

Established and led

Kent Valley Air & Space Manufacturing Roundtable

An employer-driven workforce partnership that brings manufacturers, educators, and policymakers together across South King County to close the gap between what training programs teach and the skills employers need. The partnership helped secure $2.65 million in federal funding for advanced manufacturing and robotics training.

Selected work
  • Directed business outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping Kent distribute emergency assistance grants to more businesses than any other King County city except Seattle.
  • Led the successful push for Washington State Historic Landmark designation for the Apollo Lunar Rovers still on the moon. The work earned King County’s John D. Spellman Historic Preservation Award.
  • Developed the City of Kent’s first communications plan and led crisis communications during the Howard Hanson Dam flood threat, working with agencies across the region to keep public information consistent and accurate.
  • Oversaw the lobbying effort that secured $10 million from the State Legislature for Kent’s ShoWare Center arena.
Recognition
  • 2026U.S. Conference of Mayors Innovation GrantFor the Kent Valley Air & Space Manufacturing Roundtable’s approach to aerospace and advanced manufacturing workforce pipelines.
  • 2026Woman of Impact, Pacific Northwest Aerospace AlliancePeer-nominated and recognized for leadership in strengthening collaboration across the region’s aerospace industry.
  • 2026Award of Excellence, Future in Flight Expo3CMA, the City-County Communications & Marketing Association. Judges called the Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Expo “a strong example of partnership, storytelling and responsive economic development.” Watch the Expo video.
  • 20253CMA Award, Space for All STEM FestivalA festival featuring former NASA astronaut José Hernández that drew 5,000 people.
  • 2021Award of Excellence, Economic Development Website3CMA, for KentValleyWA.com.
  • 2017Government Employee of the YearAwarded by the Kent Chamber of Commerce, chosen by the local business community.
How I work

I take on a small number of projects at a time, from shaping the first idea to delivering the finished work.

I draw on decades of experience across government and industry, established relationships, and a practical understanding of how decisions are made. I step in when an organization needs to launch a project, tackle a complex issue, or see an important initiative through.

Contact

Let’s talk about what you’re working on.

Michelle Wilmot Consulting LLC