Michelle Clarke

Michelle Clarke serves as Vice President and Director of Workforce Development for Empire State Development where she leads the organization’s Office of Strategic Workforce Development and the Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management, and Integration (GO-SEMI) workforce initiatives. Michelle is responsible for driving high-impact, industry-informed workforce programming to help ensure New Yorkers are equipped with the skills and opportunities to thrive.

Before joining Empire State Development, Michelle served as the Assistant Commissioner of Training for New York City Department of Small Businesses Services. During her tenure she oversaw a robust portfolio of training programs that connected underserved communities with sustainable careers in key industries including Technology, Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, Food, Construction, and Media and Entertainment.

Michelle began her career in the media industry, working in both production and integrated marketing, where she blended creative storytelling with targeted outreach to boost brand visibility. With a unique blend of public and private sector expertise, Michelle brings a forward-thinking, cross-sector approach to workforce development that is rooted in access, innovation, and real-world industry needs.