About
Michelle Royal serves as Membership Engagement Manager at The Venture Center and works as a fractional AI operating partner advising organizations on AI adoption, operational strategy, and business growth. With over 20 years of experience across startup, nonprofit, healthcare, corporate, and public-sector environments, she has founded companies, led innovation initiatives, designed programs, and supported entrepreneurial ecosystems. Her work focuses on operational excellence, community building, service design, and helping organizations implement technology and process improvements while maintaining human-centered approaches.
Experience
- The Venture CenterMembership Engagement Managercurrent2026 — presentLittle Rock, AR
- Little Rock Technology ParkMarketing and Member Engagement Managercurrent2026 — presentLittle Rock, AR
- Luminark Global, Inc.Fractional CEO: AI Operating Partnercurrent2026 — present
- www.LiminalStrategist.comFractional CEO, AI Operating Partnercurrent2026 — presentLittle Rock, AR
- RIDG: Royal Innovation Design GroupFounder, CEO2013 — 2026Little Rock, AR
- HDYI: How Do You Innovate?Founder, Chief Innovation Officer2007 — 2012Greater Tampa Bay Area
- Michelle S. Royal, LLCFounder, President2003 — 2012Greater Tampa Bay Area
Skills & more
Strategic Planning50Public Speaking24FacilitationDesign Thinking15Workflow ManagementCommunity EngagementPartner Relationship ManagementBusiness Process ImprovementStakeholder EngagementBusiness Relationship ManagementWorkflow OptimizationUser Experience (UX)
+12 more
Community OutreachMarket ResearchRisk AssessmentGo-to-Market StrategyProject GovernanceBusiness-to-Business (B2B)Regulatory ComplianceRisk ManagementAccount ManagementEntrepreneurshipCreative DirectionNew Business DevelopmentFrom Michelle's professional profile.
Colleagues at The Venture Center
Arthur Orduña
Executive Director at The Venture Center
Ashley Jones
Vice President of Operations at The Venture Center
Bill Yoder
CEO, Watch House International at The Venture Center
Chad Brown
Chief Financial Officer at The Venture Center
Collins Andrews
FIS Executive in Residence at The Venture Center
Daniel Schutte
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Programs at The Venture Center
James Hendren
Chairman of the Board at The Venture Center
Jay Chesshir
CEO, Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce at The Venture Center
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Michelle Royal?
- Michelle Royal serves as Membership Engagement Manager at The Venture Center and works as a fractional AI operating partner advising organizations on AI adoption, operational strategy, and business growth. With over 20 years of experience across startup, nonprofit, healthcare, corporate, and public-sector environments, she has founded companies, led innovation initiatives, designed programs, and supported entrepreneurial ecosystems. Her work focuses on operational excellence, community building, service design, and helping organizations implement technology and process improvements while maintaining human-centered approaches.
- Where does Michelle Royal work?
- Michelle Royal is Membership Manager at The Venture Center.
- Where did Michelle Royal go to school?
- Michelle Royal studied at University of Deusto (Master of Business Innovation - MBI, Business Innovation); School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Masters of Art in Art Therapy, Art Therapy/Therapist); University of Central Arkansas (Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)).
Same school
Also attended University of Deusto45
Julia SalaverríaManaging Partner at Ysios CapitalIñigo López-HuertaCFO at Ysios CapitalMaría AlonsoInvestor at Adara VenturesEva FormicaInvestment Analyst at Curiosity VCDiego RecondoGeneral Partner at Acurio VenturesAinhoa SaraleguiSenior Investor at Acurio Ventures
+ 39 more
Also attended School of the Art Institute of Chicago7
Ashley LawSenior Director of Events at Redpoint VenturesKate WallaceTechnical Advisor at TCP CapitalBetsy ForeFounding Partner, Velveteen Ventures at xfactor venturesSteve BychowskiSanofi Ventures General Counsel at Sanofi VenturesCharles TrautPrototyping Shop Technician at mHUBSean WardPartner at Blue Point
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