Michelle Montoya
Michelle Montoya is an accomplished Associate Project Manager in Facilities Asset Management at Walt Disney World, bringing over 24 years of experience in facilities operations and project leadership. She has built a career providing exceptional service across all lines of business within the organization, managing complex projects that span development, design, contracting, budgeting, and closeout. Michelle currently oversees a multi-million-dollar project portfolio, ensuring successful execution while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence.
Throughout her tenure at Walt Disney World, Michelle has held progressive leadership roles, including Facilities Engineering Services Manager at both Disney Hollywood Studios and Disney Animal Kingdom. In these positions, she has led large teams, managed daily operations, implemented process improvements, and mentored staff to develop skills and foster career growth. Her expertise includes project planning, risk management, budget oversight, and client collaboration, allowing her to deliver projects that meet operational, guest, and business objectives.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science & Arts in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Valencia College. She has also earned certifications in Project Portfolio Management and advanced Scrum practices. Fluent in English and Spanish, Michelle combines technical proficiency, leadership acumen, and a commitment to mentorship to drive project success and support the growth of her team.
• Licenses & certifications
LinkedIn logo
• Scrum: Advanced (2017)
• University of Central Florida
• Valencia College
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work and determination, starting from the early stages of my career and steadily working my way up. I’m now thriving as an Associate Project Manager at Walt Disney World and genuinely enjoy every minute of the work I do.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. I’ve seen this firsthand, balancing full-time work, caring for my family, and now preparing to graduate with my Bachelor’s degree in just a few weeks.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is simple: keep dreaming and keep setting ambitious goals. Stay focused, work hard, and trust that your dedication will lead you to success.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field right now is finding the balance between delivering excellent work and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Excelling professionally while supporting your personal life is essential for long-term success and fulfillment.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are commitment, support, and giving back. I strive to be there for my team at work, just as I make time for my family and community—volunteering with my daughter’s swim team and helping at local animal shelters, which combines my love of animals with meaningful service.