Michelle Prieto

Program Manager 

Michelle is the Program Coordinator for the UCF team and helps with the recruiting, growth, and management of the sports awareness program, Team Fight.  Her responsibilities include Team Fight recruitment, organization of training sessions in Baltimore, forming and growing new and existing community partnerships, and team fundraising.  She helps with other big events throughout the year such as Screw Cancer.  She also volunteers her time with MarathonKids, a program that teaches exercise and healthy habits at a young age.  Being more moved by a cause than a corporate bottom line, Michelle knew she’s end up in a NPO sooner than later.  Prior to joining UCF, Michelle was a technical support manager at Dominion Enterprises.   

How did you become involved with the UCF?

I had a friend who invited me to a group training run.  I was hesitant since I like running on my own, but the camaraderie of the group was great.  That turned into me joining Team Fight and racing and fundraising for the cause.  And then I coached Cancer to 5K and I was hooked on the Ulman Fund’s mission.  When they had a spot open up, I jumped at the chance to get in and be a part of The Ulman Cancer Fund.  

Outside of working at UCF, what’s your ideal wish dream job?

I think I have my dream job now!  But I guess it wouldn’t be so bad to be a paid reviewer for travel sites and get to travel around the world testing hotels and resorts!  I’m a nerd for CIA/FBI/spy agencies too, so maybe a clandestine career of sorts. 

What is your favorite moment working at UCF?

My favorite memory so far was at The Half Full Triathlon, which was my first day of work.  I was at the finish line putting heat blankets on people and removing their chip.  A finisher came in and we were wearing the same hat.  She asked me if I was a survivor, and I told her I wasn’t but that I was a big fan of them!  She gave me a hug and had a huge smile on her face.  Then I happened to look behind me ten minutes later and she was hugging her husband, tears in her eyes, so happy with what she had just accomplished as a survivor.

What do you do when you’re not working?

I do a lot of running and reading.  I have loved playing volleyball since I was a little girl and still try to stay competitive.  I play SOBO touch football. I enjoy eating my husbands cooking, especially when he grills.  I am a huge DIY-er and I love doing work on my house.  Being a Texas girl, I am a huge football fan so Sunday afternoons in the Prieto house are spent watching NFL.