Michèle Lena Gorgodian
1st June 1958 to 14th December 2023, London
Michèle Lena Gorgodian died peacefully at her home on 14 th December 2023. Michèle was a beloved daughter to Krikor and Anahid, and loving sister to Anna and Sonia. She was a devoted aunt to Georgia and Daniel and to their spouses, Martin and MJ, and delighted in her great-nephews and great-nieces: Robin and Rosalie, and little Sophie, Madeleine and James-Andréas.
Michèle gained her BA in Economics and French at Wellesley College, USA, while attending business courses at the MIT Sloan School of Management. She began her career in finance, returning to London to work for Price Waterhouse and subsequently Banque Nationale de Paris in Sydney as a credit analyst. After qualifying with an INSEAD MBA, Michèle consulted in marketing strategy. She then specialised in managing change, first at Ernst&Young and then as an independent coach and consultant in organisational change through her own company, Integra. She undertook her work with the utmost enthusiasm, vision,dedication and integrity and intended to keep going for at least another 20 years!
In 2010, Michèle was appointed to the MBA Advisory Board by Cass Business school in the City of London, and in recent years, she had used her experience in strategic leadership and change to develop a new role as a world-class advisor / Independent Non-Executive Director for a wide range of companies from FTSE 100s to private entrepreneurial. She was also a trustee of the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre. Michèle was proud of her Armenian heritage and was a former trustee of the Armenian Institute.
Michèle was a gifted pianist from an early age and loved the arts in all its forms. Her hobbies included writing fiction, poetry and sketching. She enjoyed playing tennis and walking with friends, swimming, reading and visiting art galleries. Michèle also had an adventurous streak and completed a solo paragliding experience in her 30s.
To her family and friends she was loving and loyal, always ready to provide perspective and lend a listening ear and helping hand in times of challenge. She was a pillar of the community where she was known for her kindness, generosity and support.Always thoughtful, compassionate and modest, Michèle brought a human touch to all her interactions.
She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, loved her and worked with her.