The award was presented on June 25 at the Harrisburg Hilton during the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence ceremony, hosted by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
Michelle joined Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful in 2004 as a Program Coordinator, traveling across Pennsylvania to help communities organize volunteer illegal dumpsite cleanups.
Over the years, her role expanded along with her impact, and she became a guiding force behind Pick Up Pennsylvania, the state’s signature community improvement program.
Known for her warmth, patience, and unwavering dedication, Michelle has spent more than twenty years encouraging volunteers, supporting community partners, and building lasting relationships in towns and neighborhoods statewide.
At the heart of her work is a simple but powerful belief: everyone can make a difference. She understands that volunteerism and stewardship do more than clean up communities, they bring people together, build pride of place, and foster a lasting sense of shared responsibility.
Under Michelle’s leadership, tens of millions of pounds of trash have been removed from Pennsylvania’s roads, parks, rivers, streams, and communities, a reflection of what is possible when people come together in service.
“It was an honor to be recognized for 22 years of work to help keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. My time at Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, alongside our dedicated staff and volunteers across the state, has truly been a blessing. I look forward to continuing to see the incredible projects that Pennsylvanians are leading to enhance and preserve our communities,” said Dunn.
“What makes Michelle truly special is the way she connects with people. She genuinely cares about our volunteers and partners, and she goes above and beyond to support them, celebrate their successes, and help them make a real difference in their communities,” said Shannon Reiter, Executive Director of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
“Her kindness, dedication, and unmatched commitment to service have left a lasting impact on all of us. We wish her all the best in this next chapter.”
A graduate of California University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Natural Sciences, Michelle has built a career defined by leadership, compassion, and a deep commitment to the Commonwealth.
The Governor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement is a fitting tribute to the lasting legacy she has created across Pennsylvania.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s vision is a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania. Since 1990, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has supported hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the state in their community improvement efforts.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s core programming focuses on litter and illegal dump prevention, cleanup, community greening, and proper waste handling and sustainable practices
(Photo: Jessica Shirley, Secretary of DEP; Thomas Gilbert, President, Pennsylvania Environmental Council; Phobe Wetzel, Chair, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful; Michele Dunn, Governors Award recipient; Shannon Reiter, Executive Director, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful; Natasha Fackler, Chief of Staff, DEP; Heidi Pedicone, Director of Programs, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful; Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary of DCNR.)
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