In 2021, the Board of Directors of the Mission Viejo Nadadores Foundation hired Michele Mitchell to be the FIRST Executive Director in the organization's 55-year history.

Her new role came after completing 4 years as the Head Diving Coach at the newly renovated Marguerite Aquatics Complex. A former Olympian for the Nadadores, Michele arrived back in Mission Viejo for her legacy job having retired from the University of Arizona after 22 years: 17 as Head Diving Coach and 5 years working in Athletic Administration.

During her tenure as the Nadadores head coach, she expanded the diving program from less than 60 divers to 200+, doubled the budget, significantly increased fundraising, and recruited numerous events, including the first FINA Grand Prix event held in U.S. in 30 years. Michele's divers won both individual national titles, and the national championship team title - the first one in 18 years.

Michele's personal diving accomplishments speak for themselves. She is a two-time Olympic Silver medalist on the 10-meter platform (1984 & 1988), World FINA Cup and Pan Am gold medalist and a 9x national champion among many other accolades.

She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and an M.A. in Sports Administration. She has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of USA Diving along with many other positions in the organization and Chair of the NCAA Swim and Dive Rules committee. Michele was a member of the University of Arizona Hall of Fame committee as well as the Gender Equity committee. She has served as a speaker for numerous corporations and has an extensive background in television and radio broadcasting – including the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games.

As Executive Director, Mitchell has been tasked with expanding the Nadadores aquatics programs, rebranding the team, enhancing fundraising and positioning both the Nadadores and City of Mission Viejo for success leading up to the LA 2028 Games.

She is married to Tim Sutton, a sports television director, and has two children: Ariana, a Captain in the Army, and Dakota, a nuclear technician in the Navy. In her spare time, she enjoys jet skiing, riding bikes and keeping in touch with friends from around the world.