Haywood County has named Michelle Lee, Food and Nutrition Program Supervisor at Haywood Health and Human Services, as the recipient of the inaugural Haywood County Employee of the Year Award. 

Michelle’s story is one of resilience, compassion, and selfless leadership. In the aftermath of Helene, she lost nearly everything—her home, her belongings, and soon after, her beloved granddaughter in a separate tragedy. 

She worked at the emergency shelter, stood side by side with her coworkers to help neighbors in need, and continued leading her Food and Nutrition Services team with the same dedication and care she’s shown since the day she joined the county back in 2017. Michelle was instrumental in implementing the Disaster-SNAP program, helping families access critical disaster food benefits at a time when hope was hard to find. 

Those who work alongside her describe Michelle as the heart of her team—an inspiring supervisor who stays late to ensure work is done right, supports staff unconditionally, and leads not with authority, but with compassion. She holds high expectations, but only because she gives so much of herself every single day. 

“Michelle is intelligent, dependable and confident—but beyond those qualities is a person who is generous, loyal, caring, and deeply respectful," said Teresa Allison, Michelle's supervisor. "She is her team’s biggest advocate and leads by example. She’s not only an outstanding employee—she’s an inspiration. We’re all better for knowing her.” 

Michelle also contributes beyond her role—serving on the Haywood Health and Human Services safety committee, helping to revise training for new hires, and working across departments with kindness and humility. Whether she’s helping a frustrated client or cheering on her co-workers in a friendly game of kickball, she brings people together. 

In a year that stood out with many powerful stories, one colleague wrote: “This was a year of heroes. I could have nominated a dozen. But Michelle stands out.”  

Source: Haywood County, NC Government.