WCU Magazine Summer 2025

Michele Prota ’06 isn’t following the traditional playbook — she’s rewriting it. As the global chief talent officer at Anomaly, an award-winning communications agency, she’s on a mission to redefine how people and talent strategy drive business success. Her approach blends a deep understanding of human behavior with a bold vision for unlocking what’s possible when people thrive, and it’s working.

Raised in Whippany, NJ, Prota was the first in her family to attend college, a milestone made possible by her parents’ fearless support, unwavering determination, and commitment to nurturing her curiosity and adventurous spirit. She chose West Chester University after a campus visit with friends, drawn to its classic college-town feel and standout psychology program.

During her time at WCU, she studied abroad in Madrid, led campus tours as a student ambassador, and joined Delta Zeta sorority. A psychology major with a Spanish minor, she loved understanding what makes people tick but didn’t see herself in a clinical role.

“I was hooked on the human condition, but New York was calling, and I wanted to jump right into the workforce. New York City rent is expensive,” she laughs.

Her breakthrough came thanks to Dr. Stefani Yorges, psychology professor and industrial and organizational psychologist, and Prota’s advisor. A pivotal conversation with Dr. Yorges changed everything. She introduced Prota to organizational development and human resources, fields that tied together her interests in behavior, business, and people.

“Having Dr. Yorges as my advisor was the single most impactful part of my WCU experience. She was the bridge between people and performance I didn’t know existed,” Prota reflects.

After graduating, Prota launched her career as a recruiter at Merrill Lynch, then pivoted into broader people leadership roles at agencies like J. Walter Thompson, The Barbarian Group, and Forsman & Bodenfors, before joining Anomaly.

At WCU, I found my footing, strong friendships, global perspective, and the belief that curiosity and heart could shape meaningful work.

 

Prota is a changemaker who has championed initiatives that have helped shape modern workplace cultures. Under her leadership, the companies she has worked for have been recognized as the first and only to be globally certified as Fair Pay Workplaces, and the first to earn global certification from The 3% Movement, which promotes inclusive ways of working, fair creative work, and a greater representation of women in creative leadership.

Her teams have also earned accolades such as Ad Age’s Agency A-List, Contagious Pioneers, Digiday’s Most Collaborative Culture, and Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies.

Personally, Prota has been recognized as one of the Top 25 Women Chief Human Resource Officers, Campaign’s Talent Person of the Year, and a She Runs It Working Mother of the Year. She also serves on several boards where she continues to push for accountability, equity, and systemic change.

“At WCU, I found my footing, strong friendships, global perspective, and the belief that curiosity and heart could shape meaningful work. That still drives me,” says Prota.