Michelle Ellingson Wears Many “Hats”

Michelle Ellingson is the Assistant to the City Clerk/Administrator in Caledonia and has been in that position for five years. In that role, she works closely with the Economic Development Authority for the City of Caledonia and is the coordinator for the Southern MN Initiative Foundation (SMIF) Rural Entrepreneurial Venture program (REV).

“In my current role, I enjoy supporting local businesses in Caledonia by offering them resources to grow and opportunities to promote their business,” said Ellingson. “And honestly, to just have fun and engage with the community through events like Business Trick or Treat and Light Up Caledonia.”

Wearing various work and volunteer “hats” around Houston County, Minnesota, she is also the Caledonia Chamber of Commerce secretary and organized the 2025 Christmas Home Tour, the 2026 Garden Tour and the 2026 Music in the Park series.

Managing Two Nonprofits

For two decades, Ellingson has been the Owner/Operator of Windy Ridge Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center and Touching Moments Animal Assisted Activities, which are both nonprofits she founded. Ellingson explains the passion behind them on their shared website: https://touchmoments.org/.

“Touching Moments Animal Assisted Activities program was founded in 2006 with the idea stemming from a confirmation project that required an act of kindness be performed. The program’s founding family were aware of the benefits of pet therapy and felt there was a need in Houston County for such a program. Soon after, Touching Moments joined the La Crescent Area Healthy Community Partnership group as a partner program.”

Ellingson launched Windy Ridge Ranch in Hokah, Minnesota, in 2007. “It all started with the love of horses and wanting to share this magnificent animal with others. Windy Ridge Ranch was established when American Bashkir Curly horse, Storm, joined the Ellingson family. Growing up around horses, Ellingson knew that spending time with horses brought a sense of peace and connection with the natural world. Shortly after attending a fundraiser and being introduced to therapeutic riding by a friend, Ellingson pursued the idea of implementing a riding program and began her research. Windy Ridge Ranch offers seasonal lessons to residents in Houston County and surrounding communities through the pony club program.” Each nonprofit has a Facebook page.

Ellingson is detail oriented as she juggles the activities on her plate. “I am very organized and depend on my Outlook Calendar to keep my schedule on track,” she said. “I use lots of Post-it notes. It also helps that I have a wonderful pool of volunteers that I can rely on for both Touching Moments and Windy Ridge Ranch. The programs wouldn’t be successful without them.”

Experience and Work Life Balance

“I grew up on French Island, and we had pets growing up ,including horses,” said Ellingson. “I graduated from Logan High School and went directly into the workforce with over 32 years in manufacturing in training and development.” She has since earned several certifications at various local colleges related to training employees, supervisory management, evaluating employee performance, grant writing and nonprofit related topics, and LEAN manufacturing.

There have been changes over time that have had impacts on her career and how Ellingson performs work.

“Being in a manufacturing setting beginning in the late ‘80s, I have seen many changes in technology including the use of robotics and computer programs for setting up machines,” she said. “When I first started my career in manufacturing, everything was manual, safety was a huge concern and effective training of employees crucial. Because I enjoy helping others succeed in their roles, the training role was a great fit for me.”

“The Chamber continues to evolve,” she added.

With over three decades of experience in the workforce in administrative, human resources, training and quality assurance, her tips for other working women to find a healthy work life balance are, “No matter how busy you are, make time for yourself, too; and it’s okay to say no if your plate is getting too full. Do the things that you really enjoy.”

In her spare time, Ellingson has hobbies and a new work “hat” vision coming to fruition. “I am an avid reader and love a good mystery novel,” she said. “I also enjoy riding our horses and scrapbooking photos of my family and five grandchildren.”

In addition, Ellingson is a writer embarking on a new adventure.

“I am currently working on a locked-room mystery novel that I hope to publish soon,” she shared. “Even though I have enjoyed being in the workforce, my priorities are beginning to shift, and retirement is becoming more desirable. I look forward to continuing my work as a writer, but mostly, I am looking forward to more family time with our children and grandchildren and spending time with my husband enjoying everything that we have worked so hard for.”

One day she hopes to don another hat – a literal one while attending the Kentucky Derby.