Michel uses his experience as a CPA, attorney, and licensed clinical psychotherapist to advise business partners who are in conflict with one another and are at a serious impasse. His expertise in harnessing conflict and collaboration skill building spans over twenty years in business leadership roles and ten years of psychological practice. Michel’s business experience is grounded in a many facets of executive management, including roles as President & CEO, Chief Financial Officer, Attorney, and CPA with private and public companies.

As the founder of The Zelnick Group, he regularly presents on the subject of harnessing conflict, the psychology of finance, and the psychology of succession planning. He has advised numerous public and private businesses, partnerships, families, and boards. In addition to his private practice working with couples and families in La Jolla, California, Michel’s clinical experience has included working as a psychotherapist with both the Departments of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego and at the Veterans Health Administration, San Diego.

Michel has also advised and served on several not-for-profit boards, principally in the areas of finance, leadership, strategic planning, and group facilitation.

Michel’s holds a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences, a Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law, a Masters in Public Accounting from McGill University School of Graduate Studies, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from the McGill University School of Management. He is also certified in sports psychology.

Michel is licensed in California as a CPA (inactive), an attorney (inactive), and a Marriage and Family Therapist.