A market-leading multi-family investment, development and management firm.

Michelle Yeager-Thornton Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer

As the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer for The Champion Companies, Michelle Yeager-Thornton leads Champion’s operational efforts and oversees the day-to-day actions of the company’s portfolio of communities, which includes nearly 5,000 apartment homes with assets totaling more than $400 million.

Michelle has overall responsibility for setting the operational strategy, driving execution and creating best practices for Champion. She oversees the company’s marketing and communications efforts, sales and leasing operations, maintenance systems and our customers’ satisfaction.

Michelle also ensures that monthly goals are met at each Champion community, including occupancy goals and property appearance standards, while keeping the community budgets balanced.

Michelle prides herself on leading Champion’s philanthropic initiatives, including the creation of the Champion Cares Foundation in 2014. She has a passion for helping others and continually supports local organizations that allow her to give back to those in need, including the YWCA Family Center, Children’s Hunger Alliance, Habitat for Humanity, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio.

Michelle has been honored with a Columbus Business First 40 Under 40 Award. She also has guided Champion to becoming a Columbus Business First Fast 50 company for seven consecutive years. Most recently, Michelle was inducted into the 2018 class of YWCA Women of Achievement, as well as named a recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the East Central Region.

In addition to her work at Champion, Michelle is a member of the Reeb Center Advisory Board, as well as a former board member for Children’s Hunger Alliance.