Michelle Martin

Michelle joined the Pat Tillman Foundation in January 2024 as Director of Marketing & PR. She has worked with brands such as Gatorade (PepsiCo) and the global marketing agency Weber Shandwick for over two decades. Michelle’s experience spans brand management, marketing communications, PR, content strategy and storytelling, and partnership and community engagement.

At Gatorade, Michelle led the brand’s professional marketing capability, created strategies, and oversaw cross-functional execution with athletic trainers, coaches, and registered dietitians across the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, and collegiate sports teams. She also helped revive Gatorade’s Endurance portfolio, driving approximately ~$20 million of business to the core brand, Gatorade. Her strategic partnership activation for the brand resulted in increased athlete/brand touchpoints and improved athlete perception year-over-year, with around 20 endurance race properties and 300+ races. During her time on the agency side, Michelle was part of the team that created a new usage occasion for Chocolate Milk, creating a community of 300 passionate athletes, 160+ activations, and an award-winning episodic online documentary series that reached more than 3.5 million consumers.

Michelle is a 10-time marathon finisher and a certified Running Coach. Her personal passion for running extends beyond herself as she volunteers for her kid’s local school, coaches cross country and has served as the race director for the annual local 5k run/walk. Michelle resides in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband, two kiddos, and two dogs.