Michelle Bogorad, HR Director, Founder, & Coach
Michelle is the Director of HR Program Management at Paramount, the founder of Woo Woo Working Women, and a certified NLP Mindset Coach. After obtaining her MA in Organizational Psychology from NYU, she spent the next 15 years in Global Human Resources working for the world's biggest media and tech companies including Disney, NBCUniversal, and Bloomberg. Endlessly inspired by the extraordinary women she met along the way, she created Woo Woo Working Women as a space to share their stories and provide articles and tools that support women in recognizing and living their fullest, most beautiful lives. As a Mindset Coach, she empowers high-achieving women to pursue the goals that will get them closer to the lives they envision.
Through her career in HR, Michelle became recognized for her initiative and creativity in designing efficient processes, driving best practices, and launching solutions that led to improved productivity and employee engagement. Likening her work to that of an “Organizational Fixer” she excelled at picking apart processes and procedures in order to put them back together in a more efficient manner. Michelle felt impassioned by helping employees feel supported and by getting to build more productive workplaces.
However, as her corporate career excelled, Michelle began to feel the draining physical and mental effects of years of working in nonstop hustle mode. Autoimmune symptoms resulting from burnout and fatigue became overwhelming. Determined to heal her body, mind, and soul, Michelle became a woman on a mission, learning absolutely everything about health, wellness, productivity, and balance. She spent countless resources on functional doctors and homeopaths, tried every supplement available, joined countless programs, and researched all the healing tools and modalities out there.
She began to look towards the high-powered women in her life and those in the public eye for inspiration. Women with successful careers but also balancing professional life with strong health, wellness, and spiritual practices. It became a study of extraordinary women whose everyday purpose was to grow and expand; their businesses and organizations, their body and health, their families and relationships, and their spirit and souls. Encouraged and motivated, she decided to create Woo Woo Working Women as a space to provide access to expansive, inspiring women through interviews as well as post articles with tools and content that assist women in recognizing their fullest, most beautiful lives.
After becoming certified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Michelle also began to offer Mindset Coaching to empower and support high-achieving women in creating a vision for the life they want and executing the steps needed to achieve that life. She wants all women, at different ages and stages, seeking to live a high-vibrancy life, to see it is possible and exciting to be spiritual, healthy, and professionally aligned. We can be anyone and have any life we envision. We only have to get there.
Want to learn more? Follow her on Instagram to stay updated on all things Woo Woo. For Mindset Coaching inquiries please fill out the contact form on the coaching tab.
What is your secret to living a high-vibrancy life?
To always be learning and growing as a human and as a woman. I feel most vibrant when I am among people and experiences that bring me deeper connection and understanding. This includes time with friends and family, conversations with those I admire, classes, books, travel, exploration, and self-care activities. The goal is to make sure I’m constantly feeding my soul with those things that light me up.
Who is a woo-woo working woman that you admire and why?
Amal Clooney is the epitome of a Woo Woo Working Woman to me. She’s an incredibly passionate intelligent barrister crusading across the globe for human rights. She never settled in her love life and waited for someone worthy of her. She takes care of herself and always exudes grace and style. She is a woman who found her purpose and partner by not following societal expectations, believing in her worth, and leaving the world a better place than she found it. These are the types of women that inspire me endlessly.
How do you balance work, wellness, and spirituality?
It’s a constant work in progress. I really admire women who do it well. For me, I find prioritizing wellness first helps to keep me feeling good and able to tackle work and life. So, when I feel overwhelmed or uninspired, I always return to strengthening my wellness practices.
Was there any one significant event that moved you onto the path of becoming the woman you are today?
As a teenager, I attended a “Bring Your Daughter to Work Day” event with my mother at her office. The company she worked for had all these really interesting work/life balance programs that seemed so cool to me. It was before corporate wellness became a well-known practice. Later on in college, I was exploring different types of graduate programs in psychology. I stumbled upon Industrial/Organizational Psychology and knew that’s what I wanted to pursue instantly. Getting to understand how to help people work better and bring balance and wellness into the workplace were the main drivers for me. It was so aligned with what I wanted in my own professional life.
Personal Mantra?
Every passing moment is another chance to turn it all around.
What do you find the most fulfilling about your career in Global HR and as a Mindset Coach?
Helping to make people’s work and lives a little bit easier. I love getting individuals and groups to the finish line at the end of their goal. I love getting to be part of a great success story.
What is NLP Mindset Coaching?
It’s a more personalized and results-oriented approach that aims to help individuals overcome mental barriers, improve their thought patterns, and develop a more positive and effective mindset to achieve their personal and professional objectives. We focus on who you want to be, the life want to live, and the steps you need to get there.
What is the best professional feedback you’ve ever received?
Always come prepared with possible solutions before complaining that something isn’t working. It’s very easy to fall into a negative mindset in the corporate world or in life in general. You want to show leaders and those around you that you are part of the solution, not the problem.
How do you handle new projects or initiatives that you haven’t had experience handling before?
Find and connect with others that have done it successfully before. I have no shame in asking for help. More often than not people are willing to share their intel and experience. You have to be comfortable with asking, and in some cases, being persistent.
How do women find professional mentors that align with their purpose and values?
It's honestly so easy these days with social media and sites like LinkedIn. The biggest mistake I see other women make when reaching out to potential mentors or business contacts is by immediately asking for something. Please don’t do that.
Do your research. Find out everything you can about someone before reaching out to them. Then tell them what it is you admire about them or their careers. Tell them why it is they’ve inspired your journey. Then ask for some time or even you can buy them a cup of coffee.
I see this all the time on LinkedIn because of the high-visibility companies I’ve worked for. Young professionals reaching out and asking for a job immediately. I’d be more apt to chat with someone who points out why they want to pursue a similar career or how they became passionate about their career path.
What are three attributes that you believe have supported you in having a successful career?
Humor, resilience, and an action-oriented mindset.
Do you have any routines or rituals that help you stay focused and grounded?
I’m a Generator in Human Design so I really need to move every day. Sometimes that looks like a long walk with my pup at the end of the day. Sometimes it's dance or strength training or boxing. I try to go with what feels good that day.
I will also have some kind of reconnection practice most mornings whether it’s a guided meditation or journaling.
How do you rest after a challenging day?
I love an Epson salt bath or a late sauna session and pool dip. Bravo TV is my guilty pleasure as well. I love those Housewives.
Favorite books and podcasts?
Books: Untethered Soul, The 5 AM Club, Becoming Superhuman, and Greenlights
Podcasts: Expanded, Him & Her Podcast, Blonde Files, Mimi, & Move with Heart
What are three things any woman can start doing today to live a higher vibrancy life?
Prioritize your health and well-being above all else.
Find women who are living the type of life you want to be living and let their journeys motivate you.
Learn as much as you can about what lights you up. Make it fun. We’re here to have fun.
Advice to the Woo🖤Woo Working Women out there figuring out how to live their best high-vibrancy life?
You are your own healer, advocate, and champion. Sure, other people may be able to help you figure it out. At the end of the day, YOU alone have all the answers and power. Don’t outsource and rely on anyone else for your happiness and health. You can do it. Don’t let anything or anyone stop you from becoming the woman you know you are.