Michael founded SailFuture in 2013 as an after school and mentoring program, teaching young people who are in danger of entering the criminal justice system how to sail. SailFuture now provides a comprehensive continuum of care for at-risk teens in foster care in St. Petersburg, Florida, including mental health and job training services, as well as operates two licensed child welfare group homes that provide a sailing focused high school program to residents that include multi-month sailing journeys throughout Central America and the Caribbean.

Michael is working to develop SailFuture Academy, a technical high school focused on project-based learning for at-risk youth in the region, expanding SailFuture’s current reach. Maritime, culinary, and construction services learning modules will allow students to immediately pursue a career field of interest while earning their high school diploma. As part of their academic experience, all students will have the opportunity to participate in On the Job Training with local employment partners in their respective fields.

Michael received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from the New College of Florida where he was the President of the Florida Student Association and a Member of the Florida Board of Governors of the State University System.