Michele Sanders (2012)
Director of a milkshake company, and creator of tools to help people cope with overwhelm
Born and raised in South Africa, my love of the natural world led me to study zoology. I was always drawn to the practical application of knowledge, and curiosity has been a constant throughout my career.
After moving to the UK, I joined KPMG’s graduate programme, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant before moving into sustainability advisory. Keen to understand what organisations actually did, rather than simply how they reported their performance, I moved to GoodCorporation, where I assessed ethical business practices globally.
Following a period of personal reflection, I returned to my love of nature conservation, completing an MSc at Oxford University and a DPhil at Merton College. My research explored the challenges faced by wildlife conservation organisations, and I operationalised my research by working for Synchronicity Earth, a conservation funder.
My career has taught me that professional paths are rarely straightforward, changing direction is not a failure, and following your curiosity can open doors you never expected.
Today, I run Alc-au-Lait, a small business providing alcoholic milkshakes at Oxford college balls. Alongside this, I’m studying for a MSc in Psychology and developing practical resources to help people explore underlying factors behind traits commonly associated with neurodivergence.
Having navigated career changes, uncertainty and some challenges in finding my own direction, I like to help people explore their options, build confidence, manage overwhelm and find practical ways forward. I hope to encourage others to remain curious, recognise their strengths and feel empowered to forge their own paths.
