About Michelle

Michelle Cruz was born in New York, NY. She is the eldest of four children and daughter of Myrna and Ricardo Cruz. Her mother, Myrna, originally from the Philippines and her father, Ricardo, who grew up in Honduras met after immigrating to New York City from their respective countries.

As a young lady growing up in New York City Michelle was exposed to the diversity and culture that the city is so well noted for. This influenced her decision to attend Queens College in pursuit of a fine arts degree. However as time progressed Michelle discovered her knack for business and changed her major to business administration.

Embracing her talent for business and her compassion for people everywhere she undertook the arduous task of achieving a double major. This culminated in 1995 when Michelle earned her B.S. in Psychology and Business Administration.

Soon after graduation Michelle accepted a coveted position as a stockbroker with the prestigious JP Morgan and Bear Stearns where she successfully continued to hone her skills until 1999. She was wooed away from the rigors of the day to day financial pace by Fiduciary Trust in 1999 where she was empowered to utilize her people skills as a Presentation Specialist until shortly after 9/11/2001. While employed as Regional Manager with a nationwide mortgage company Michelle was commissioned to travel throughout the US to speak to large audiences of like minded professionals. In January 2005 Michelle opened her own branch office working with a nationwide mortgage company.

After the tragedy of September 11, 2001 Michelle was transferred to Fort Lauderdale, FL when she met her soul mate. Michelle now resides in South Florida with her husband Randy.

Her zest for life and her ability to see the beauty all around her led her to devote her spare time attending the New York Institute of Photography. One of her photographs taken just days before the tragic events of 9/11 and the story of her personal victory, “Will I Recover”, were featured in an article on the fifth anniversary of that fateful day. Envision Magazine's September 2006 issue was just the beginning of her notoriety. As a follow-up to the recollections of her victory, her second article, “The Recovery” was published in Envision's October 2006 edition. Her photograph of the Twin Towers was also featured on CNN.com's fifth-year anniversary tribute section and CNN's live television Memorial Feature Edition.

Among her numerous affiliations Michelle values her associations with Madison Who's Who of Executives and Professionals since 2004, a Supporting Member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and St Jude Children's Hospital. Currently she supports these charities with a portion of proceeds from her online Gratitude Shop. Her shop offers merchandise and apparel with her noteworthy photography featured on it. Inclusive of these images is the photograph that has garnered public acclaim as previously noted in Envision Magazine and on CNN.