Michaela's expertise in formulating clearly presented and unbiased research based on facts and figures was developed during her tenure with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  As Manager for European Affairs she conceived and developed a series of acclaimed public policy reports for the transatlantic business community.  These reports were used by government officials and industry leaders on both sides of the Atlantic as key documents in the formulation of their policy agendas. 

From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Michaela went on to establish and implement a high-profile research group for the high-technology industry.  There she examined key industry trends ranging from the global competitiveness of the U.S. high-technology industry to an annual assessment of technology employment at the national, state, and local level.  Michaela developed one of the most commonly accepted definitions of the high-technology industry based on the U.S. government's industry classification coding system.

Most recently, Michaela has been engaged as President of Content First.  She is the founder and the hands-on researcher for the firm.  Working with prominent international, business, and industry trade associations, public affairs firms, corporations, and presidential commissions she strives to identify the research her clients need to promote their public policy activities.  The goal?  Good, well-presented, and objective data to support her clients public advocacy activities, public relations work, and to meet her client's internal and external research and information needs.

Content First's diverse clients include the Aerospace Industries Association, the American Society of Association Executives, the Confederation of British Industries, the National Venture Capital Association, the Organization for International Investment, the Representative of German Industry and Trade, the Software and Information Industry Association, the Space Foundation, the Transatlantic Business Dialogue, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Coalition of Service Industries, the U.S.-India Business Council, and the U.S.-Korea Business Council.

Over the years, Michaela has worked with public policy leaders on such diverse issues as:

• Aerospace and space industry trends
• Counterfeiting and piracy
• Defense trade
• Education and workforce trends
• Europe's internal market program
• Green technology
• High-technology industry policy issues
• Immigration
• Insourcing
• International trade and investment
• Software and information industry trends
• U.S.-German trade and commercial relations
• U.S.-Korea trade and commercial relations
• U.S.-United Kingdom trade and commercial relations
• TradeRoots
• Venture capital

Michaela has authored dozens of acclaimed policy studies, industry analyses, and economic reports over the years.  The most prominent include:

• American Made: The Impact of Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Professionals on U.S. Competitiveness, National Venture Capital Association
• Associations Matter: Associations by the Numbers, American Society of Association Executives
• The Future of Transatlantic Trade Relations:  Recommendations for the Transatlantic Business Dialogue, Transatlantic Business Dialogue
• Cybernation:  The Importance of the High-Technology Industry to the American Economy, American Electronics Association
• Cyberstates:  A State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry, American Electronics Association
• Cybercities:  A City-by-City Overview of the High-Technology Industry, American Electronics Association
• CyberEducation:  U.S. Education and the High-Technology Industry, American Electronic Association
• Defense Trade: Keeping America Secure and Competitive, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Impact of Travel and Tourism on the U.S. and State Economies, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Travel Industry Association
• The Economic Impact of the Venture Capital Industry on the U.S. Economy, National Venture Capital Association
• Insourcing:  A State-by-State Analysis, Organization for International Investment
• German Business Matters, Representative of German Industry and Trade
• Patient Capital: How Venture Capital Innovation Drives Revolutionary Medical Innovation, National Venture Capital Association
• Software and Information: Driving the Global Knowledge Economy, Software & Information Industry Association
• Sterling Assets: British Investment Creating U.S. Jobs, Confederation of British Industries