Michael Houston (they/he)

Board of Directors Member

With over 15 years of experience in production and advertising, Michael’s expertise spans project management, studio management, sound production, production integration, and so much more. Currently serving as the Director of Social Impact at Arnold Worldwide in Boston, Michael is dedicated to driving change and implementing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) strategies into advertising practices and production operations. Michael sees themselves as a “unicorn of all trades,” whose mission is to leave everything they touch just a bit better and brighter than how they found it.

In support of that vision, Michael has developed programming that highlights marginalized communities, providing a platform for individuals to share their work and passions. In addition to the DEIB initiatives that Michael implements within agency operations, they founded The Inclusion Council, a diverse group of individuals working to promote change in advertising from an inclusive lens while also improving representation in the work within brands, the workforce, and beyond. The council itself aims to educate, encourage, and address diversity and inclusion with authentic voices–elevating the quality of their work.

Prior to joining the board, Michael has also been a long-time partner of BAGLY, Inc., supporting the LGBTQ+ youth in the Greater Boston Area. Some of their collaborative work with BAGLY includes The Audacity Campaign, The Closet Experience, and All Decked Out, all successfully developed to promote and raise awareness around their organization and their impactful programming as well as fundraising to expand that programming.

As someone who has faced limited access to LGBTQ+ safe spaces and resources in their adolescence, Michael holds a special connection to BAGLY and their mission. As a member of BAGLY’s Board of Directors, Michael continues to support LGBTQ+ youth and to elevate BAGLY’s mission of developing a better world for our youth and to give back to the communities that had welcomed and supported Michael with open arms.

Outside of work and volunteering, you can catch Michael spending quality time on adventures with his husband and two dogs, ‘Sir Didymus the Brave’ (or ‘Diddy,’ for short) and ‘Hoggle,’ both named after characters from his favorite movie, Labyrinth. Michael is also a novice ‘foodie,’ musician, artist, and DJ. Not to mention, they are a Lego enthusiast–building beautiful structures as a form of meditation and to populate their dream ‘Legoland.’