Michelle Carroll-Cole, MSW, is a Kentucky Colonel, community leader, and entrepreneur dedicated to strengthening families and communities in eastern Kentucky. A graduate of the University of Kentucky with a master’s in social work focused on rural

health, she is also an Acute Myeloid Leukemia survivor and advocate for blood and bone marrow cancer awareness. Her leadership and lived experience have made her a trusted voice in both community service and public health advocacy.

She is the co-founder of The Mustard Seed, an outreach addressing food insecurity and homelessness in Harlan County, and has led disaster relief efforts for families impacted by natural disasters in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee. In addition, Michelle

co-owns Mountain Gypsy, a women-owned, Kentucky Proud business creating natural, small-batch health and beauty products from foraged and locally sourced ingredients.

Drawing from her Appalachian heritage and the lessons passed down from her single mother, Michelle embraces a life of self-sufficiency and stewardship. An avid fly fisher, forager, and herbalist, she believes strongly in protecting Kentucky’s mountains and streams. Her upbringing instilled in her a deep respect for traditions such as gardening, canning, and farm-to-table living—values that continue to guide both her work and her personal pursuits. She and her husband, Randy, enjoy traveling, visiting baseball parks, and spending time with their two sons and five grandchildren.