Cari Michaels is a public health educator who works in partnership with leaders across campuses and community organizations to promote mental well-being. For over 25 years, she has served in community and university settings to strengthen families and children. Her work has brought her to rural health centers, urban crisis agencies, and many projects and partnerships in higher education. Currently she works as an Extension Educator within the University of Minnesota's Center for Family Development. Cari holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and a self-designed undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota in public health and child development.

Through strong community engagement, Cari creates educational curricula, interdisciplinary training events, and long-term partnerships that address social determinants of health and promote equity. She is passionate about addressing the needs of parents of young children, and using socio-ecological approaches to educate about mental wellness.