Michelle Dirst

Senior Associate, Public Policy

Michelle Dirst, Senior Associate for Public Policy, joined Burness in August, 2013.  She brings with her extensive public policy experience from her time working in Congress, the executive branch and leading national substance abuse and mental health advocacy organizations.

Prior to joining Burness Communications, Michelle served as Director of Public Policy for the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD). During her tenure, she worked to educate the membership about the Affordable Care Act, and implications of the law and related regulations on substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Prior to joining NASADAD, Michelle worked as Deputy Director for the American Psychiatric Association and as a Legislative Expert for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration under the Department of Health and Human Services. She started her career working on Capitol Hill in various roles, including as a Professional Staff Member for the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Senator Mike Enzi of Wyoming. In this capacity, she worked on issues related to health disparities, aging, and mental health and substance use disorders.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from the University of Northern Colorado and a master’s in international commerce and policy from George Mason University.