2022 40 Under 40: Michelle Houghton

Michelle Houghton serves an important function for Springfield-based nonprofit Care to Learn, which supports school students through health, hunger and hygiene requests.

As director of chapter services, Houghton, 39, works directly with school liaisons to help set up new Care to Learn chapters.

“As a previous school counselor, I have direct experience and insight into how Care to Learn benefits students within the school setting,” Houghton says. “I onboard new chapters, train liaisons, act as a conduit of communication between headquarters and the chapters, troubleshoot problems and mentor liaisons through the process of meeting student’s needs.”

She’s also an artist, performer and writer who regularly participates and assists with organizations her husband, entertainer Jeff Houghton, run, such as “The Mystery Hour” and the Writers’ Room.

Best productivity hack? Keeping things neat and organized – always. It takes a lot of preparation, but you thank yourself later.

What historical figure do you identify with most? Georgia O’Keeffe.

Favorite hobby or creative outlet? I started painting in my early 30s as a way to process some issues I was dealing with. I am also an avid gardener.

Favorite local order? The peanut chicken tacos at The Wheelhouse and The Michelle at Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe.