February 27, 2026
Get to know Chief of Staff Michelle Beaulieu.
What did you want to be growing up?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a marine biologist. I still love going to an aquarium.
What was your first job?
I was a non-surf certified swimming beach lifeguard and counselor at a summer camp in Point Judith, Rhode Island. Mostly I protected small children from jellyfish.
What did you study in college?
Urban Studies and Architectural Studies. I started college thinking I was going to be an architect, then I took an architectural studio course and decided that wasn’t for me. By sophomore year I was halfway through an Urban Studies concentration without trying, so that felt like a natural way to finish out my degree.
How did you end up at DVRPC?
My family and I had moved to Philadelphia in 2023 to be closer to our extended family. When I read the Chief of Staff job posting in 2024, I felt like it was written for me—I have experience working on regional policy, transportation planning, and legislative affairs at agencies in San Francisco and Saint Paul, MN, and I was looking to get back into the public sector. I was really excited about the opportunity to work on those topics in the Philadelphia region, and to be the first person in this new role at DVRPC.
What is your favorite part of working at DVRPC?
My favorite part of the job is meeting with external stakeholders and getting to talk about our region and the work that DVRPC does. I feel lucky that I get to promote our region that way, whether it is with our peers from MPOs across the country or with elected officials who may not know a lot about us.
If you could immediately implement any change to the region, what would you do?
I would build safe sidewalks everywhere, including safe crosswalks.
What is your favorite leisure activity?
Hiking, very slowly, with my daughter.
What is the last book you read?
I recently joined my neighborhood book club, and the last book I finished with them was Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. It was a good read for the train ride to work.
What are the top three places you want to travel to?
I really want to bring my husband and my daughter to Copenhagen; I lived there for about two years and I loved it, and it's part of why I became a transportation planner. I would also like to go to Japan and Chile, but ask me again tomorrow and I may have a different answer.
Are you a cat or dog person?
Both! I am mildly obsessed with our neighborhood cat, Frankie, who constantly tries to break into our house. I also really miss our dog Eli who died a few years ago. He was the star of all my COVID Zoom meetings.
What is a recent gift you’ve given?
Technically I haven’t given it yet, but I’m currently knitting a blanket for my brother. Hopefully it’ll be done before his birthday in 8 months…