Michel Tigan is the Senior Vice President of Adventure for the YMCA of the North. Michel leads YMCA of the North camp and adventure programs across Minnesota and Wisconsin. With over nine years of dedicated service to the YMCA, she has cultivated deep connections with the organization’s mission, particularly through her previous leadership positions as vice president of camp operations and adventure, as well as executive director at YMCA Camp St. Croix and YMCA Camp Icaghowan in Amery, Wisconsin. Michel brings a wealth of experience to her role, having worked as an executive director with local nonprofits such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern WI and Youth Action Hudson. She has been actively involved with numerous local and regional boards, including YMCA Camp St. Croix, Camp Du Nord, Farm Table Foundation and the Hudson Community Fund, and most recently the St. Croix Valley Community Foundation. Michel has also dedicated over 20 years of service to the Hudson Daybreak Rotary, where she served on the board for six years and as president in 2021. She holds both her undergraduate and master’s degree in nonprofit business management from the University of St. Thomas, continuing to use her expertise to foster a deep sense of community, adventure and belonging.
Why the Y?
My love for working at the Y is rooted in relationships. Whether through my personal experience as an alumni of YMCA camping programs or in the countless encounters with others, I find joy in hearing stories of resilience, triumph and real life. These stories not only inspire me but also drive my passion for providing experiences where people can connect, grow and thrive. I believe in the transformative power of outdoor play, seeing it as a birthright for all to enjoy. The outdoors is where individuals discover their true selves and build a sense of community—an environment where the bonds of relationships are forged, and where people find strength and support in each other.