It’s always fun to introduce a NEW member of our team with our Get to Know ME segment. Michelle Ebner joined as VP of Finance toward the end of 2023 and was promoted to Co-CEO and Co-President in the summer of 2024. Read below, and watch her short video, to learn about her first career choice and why people like to open up to her. Thanks Michelle for letting us get to know you!
What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry?
As of January 2025, I became the CFO. Before that I was VP of Finance, and brand new to the incentive industry when I took the job in 2023.
What do you like about your job?
I love working with numbers and putting processes and procedures in place to achieve financial success. Numbers don’t lie and as an auditor by trade, it’s my goal to make sure there is accuracy in the financial data for improved decision making.
What’s something you want to share about the people you work with at Motivation Excellence?
Everybody makes you feel so welcome as a newcomer and so far, people are very receptive to collaboration and new ideas. You can see and feel that people are genuinely happy to be here!
What’s a specific moment in your history that always stands out as a defining moment, and why?
The day I decided I would major in accounting was a pivotal moment. I was balancing a pre-med curriculum, with a business school courseload as my backup, freshman year and after almost losing my sanity, I found my passion in accounting. I ditched the science books, and the rest was history.
What’s an unknown or odd talent you have?
I struggle with originating my own artistic ideas from imagination and wouldn’t consider myself “creative,” but I am artistic if given an example or model to follow. I enjoy the challenge of doing something myself and have dabbled in elaborate cake decorating and a variety of décor and customization crafts.
What motivates you to accomplish things in your life (work or personal)?
I like to take on challenges because I see them as a puzzle with mis-matched pieces that I can mold anew, improve or fix to solve the problem at hand. I never run from a good challenge!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I don’t have that much excess time outside of school activities and sports for my kids, but I do enjoy family time with my siblings when we can all get together. When I am not managing the household and kids, I spend my time watching the hallmark channel or various tv series on Netflix and other networks to relax.
One thing that always makes you laugh is?
Dry humor and sarcasm! My husband and kids are experts in this arena – they can really crack me up with their wit and quick comebacks.
What’s a bucket-list item you can’t wait to cross off?
I want to visit Australia and New Zealand!
This month, our theme for social media is Organization. What are your best organizational tips?
I am not an organized person by any means, in fact, I’m rather an expert at organized chaos. But, I do write notes in wire bound notebooks which also double as my doodle pad.
