About me

Empowering leaders to rise through challenge.

Michelle Thomson, executive coach and strategic advisor

Anchor 1

For those who’ve faced the pressure of high-stakes decisions, navigated uncertainty, or stood at the edge of reinvention—this is for you.

For over three decades, I've observed a critical pattern among successful leaders: the very traits that drive us to succeed—perfectionism, a need for control, and relentless drive—are often the same things quietly costing us our health, relationships, and peace of mind.

My work in global finance was defined by moments that demanded clarity, conviction, and vigilance. As a catastrophe reinsurance portfolio manager and co-CEO of a leveraged fixed-income trading firm, I've walked alongside leaders in moments when the stakes were real—from co-leading a firm through volatile markets to managing risk in the wake of global disasters.

My professional life wasn't the only proving ground. Pursuing certifications as a professional ski instructor and Wilderness First Responder taught me how to make critical decisions under pressure in unpredictable environments.

Teaching adaptive students honed my ability to guide others through significant physical and psychological challenges, providing a unique, embodied view of leadership and the systems that shape our industries.

This observation launched a mission to understand the 'why' behind these patterns. I discovered that what we call "personality" is often a biological adaptation to the high-stakes environments we inhabit. Your identity isn't fixed—it's responsive, and it can be influenced.

My approach blends lived experience with ongoing study in neuroscience, behavioral science, and management research. This evidence-based approach ensures coaching interventions are grounded in current research on how leaders actually develop and perform under pressure. As a Certified Coach and authorized mindfulness instructor, I unite time in the C-suite with formal understanding of human biology and behavior.

What this means for my clients: A coaching relationship built on both real-world corporate experience and deep understanding of how your nervous system responds to pressure. Together, we transform the patterns that once served you but now limit you—not as personal failings, but as biological states that can be understood, influenced, and leveraged for greater clarity, performance, and presence.

Whether you're an executive navigating complexity or a young person seeking direction, coaching becomes a space to reflect, recalibrate, and rise through challenge with a healthier nervous system as your strategic asset.

My mission at Clear Ripple is to provide a new lens through which leaders can view their challenges—helping you make critical decisions with greater ease, lead high-pressure situations while maintaining composure, and build resilience that sustains performance without sacrificing what matters most.

Current Leadership

Chair, Emerging Topics Subcommittee, DCRO Institute Education Committee

The DCRO Institute provides risk governance training and credentials to board members and C-suite executives globally. As Chair of the Emerging Topics Subcommittee, I work with experts across six continents to ensure the Institute's educational programs address the governance challenges boards face as markets, technologies, and risks evolve.

Featured Thought Leadership

Michelle Thomson's articles in Directors & Boards and Private Company Director showcase her expertise in governance and leadership challenges:

"Decision-Making in the Age of AI" explores how senior leaders can approach AI oversight not just as a technical challenge, but as a strategic and ethical imperative. Drawing on decades of experience in high-stakes finance, governance, and organizational culture, Michelle calls for decision-making frameworks rooted in clarity, precision, and long-view accountability.

"Overcoming Toxicity in the Boardroom" addresses one of governance's most challenging dynamics, offering insights on how boards can identify, address, and prevent toxic behaviors that undermine effective decision-making and organizational culture.

"The Competence Illusion: Why Smart Boards Miss Obvious Risks" examines how experienced boards with rigorous processes can still overlook critical vulnerabilities. Drawing on behavioral research and decades of governance experience, Michelle reveals how collective competence can create blind spots when boards mistake reassurance for information and fail to examine the limits of their own understanding

👉 Read "Decision-Making in the Age of AI"
👉 Read "Overcoming Toxicity in the Boardroom"
👉 Read "The Competence Illusion: Why Smart Boards Miss Obvious Risks"