ABOUT

Woman in white shirt, jeans, against wooden wall.

Speaker, Educator, Chaplain, Coach, Consultant

The summer after 7th grade, my family lived at a Bible camp in Wisconsin—where the love of Jesus didn’t just get preached, it got practiced. Scripture came alive in weary counselors and young hearts meeting God personally. Those summers shaped my faith and quietly foreshadowed what would one day become The Savvy U®

After competing as a two-sport college athlete, I taught at both the high school and college levels, home-educated my two children, and coached high school basketball and softball. For the past 27 years, I’ve served as the chaplain for the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, walking alongside professional athletes and leaders under tremendous pressure. Since 2016, I’ve served as a Senior Certified Consultant with the Trust Edge Leadership Institute and became a John Maxwell Leadership Certified Speaker, Trainer, and Coach, also completing foundational training in biblical counseling. I’ve trained leaders from USAA, Bayer, the National Guard, and many others across the country.

Today, I combine biblical truth with leadership expertise to help others strengthen their inside game and align their mind, soul, and spirit with God’s purposes. My passion is equipping leaders to live with clarity, confidence, and Christ-centered trust—what I call pursuing The Savvy U®: for Him, through Him, with Him.

And just like the ferns that unfurl and flourish year after year at my Midwest home, I believe joy grows as we serve—stretching, opening, and expanding under the light of His love. When we serve, we grow. When we grow, we reflect Him.

Join me in a Savvy U® Session or on a Savvy U® Adventure and take a closer look at the wisdom God has already planted in His Word—waiting to unfurl in you.

May Our Stories Connect to Ultimately Tell His Story!

May we be clothed with strength and dignity;

and laugh at the days to come.

May we speak with wisdom,

and may faithful instruction be on our tongues.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

~ Proverbs 31:25-26

Open Bible page with handwritten notes.
Sunset over lake with a wooden dock.

Mission

To serve leaders by teaching timeless, trust-building truths that strengthen their inside game and transform how they live and lead.  

Open book and plant by a lake.

Values

  • Seek the Bible as the source of all wisdom
  • Love and kindness in interactions
  • Creativity in delivery
  • Laugh together and often
  • Trustworthiness in everything
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"Michelle goes the extra mile for everyone she serves. She is high-energy and interactive on stage. She does the homework to customize her message. You won't meet anyone you can count on more to be there for you and to be ready for your audience.”

David Horsager, Trust Edge Leadership Institute

“Michelle is someone who is committed to seeing people thrive. I’ve seen her creativity and hard work propel growth in the lives of me and my teammates, and I’m excited to see how she continues to impact others!”

Maya Moore Irons , 4x WNBA Champion, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist

“Michelle is an engaging, personal, and relevant speaker. Her ability to relate to all ages with both her humor and content shows her experience and talent as a professional speaker. Her charismatic personality brings it all to life and draws you in. I highly recommend Michelle as a speaker.”

Lanita Stutzman, Executive Director

"TRUST me!! Michelle rocks! Her dynamic and fun session at our leadership conference this summer had everyone engaged and excited and everyone left with actionable ideas and motivation to be better leaders. I strongly recommend booking Michelle for your next event!"

Jennifer Schmitz, Executive Director, ALASBO

"The Savvy U Trust Edge Experience was a huge difference maker for our team. We learned some valuable tools to build trust and Michelle was an incredible communicator and really connected with our team. She helped take our team to the next level and we had a fantastic year. I would highly recommend having share with your program if you want to build trust in their organization."

Matt Bollant, Division I Women's Basketball Coach

"What a fantastic adventure! Michelle has so much energy and spunk yet balances it with sharing deep research and relaxing peaceful campfires. A trip like I've never been on before and just what I needed. So good for my soul. THANKS! Will go again..."

J.B.

“During my time with the Lynx, Michelle faithfully devoted herself to giving the players practical yet edifying teaching that we still use in our lives today. Michelle was able to deliver in a way that left us feeling inspired and confident. She was refreshing, in that she would always find a new way to give us agency, and develop our own convictions for our lives. Over the course of the 5 years, Michelle was the consistent voice that kept us on a path of faith and leadership development. Her love and passion for this kind of work has planted seed in all of the players she has touched, as all still carry her lessons with us.”

Monica Wright Rogers, General Manager of WNBA Expansion Team Toronto Tempo, Former MN Lynx Professional Basketball Player

Michelle was an excellent speaker for our conference. Not only was she a subject matter expert, but Michelle also clearly believes in the importance of building and maintaining trust and delivers that message with the energy to keep everyone engaged. Michelle also stepped up and went the extra mile by helping us fill in another session that had fallen through by providing us with a table-talk exercise to build on what she had presented. The only regret is not having more time with her plugged in for us.

Tim Nelson, Cook County Land Services Director

“Wow! What an adventure! Michelle led us on a weekend journey filled with learning, laughter, and love. With her guidance, we grew wiser in living life with purpose.”

Peggy R.

“Highly recommend The Savvy U® experience and Michelle Backes as your guide. Michelle is knowledgeable, passionate, and thoughtful. It’s an experience you will hold close to your heart and soul.”

Darcy Moss

"Michelle laid out the foundation pillars of the Trust Edge program for our school district. The program is a powerful opportunity toward building a culture of trust, transparency, and accountability. By providing our staff with the tools to create an environment where innovation thrives, collaboration is valued, and every person in the organization feels they have a voice will foster the groundwork necessary for long-term achievement and meaningful connections across our school and the greater community."

Shelly Bauer, Superintendent for The Madelia Public School District