Michael Woods is a dynamic leader in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, bringing over 20 years of experience in business leadership and ministry to his current work. His journey started in Anderson, Indiana where he began as a dishwasher in 1999 before moving through roles in healthcare as a chaplain and social worker, certified activities director ,a admissions and marketing director, and eventually Executive Director of Customer Service and Senior HR Leadership.

Alongside his healthcare career, Michael served as Senior Pastor of the Salvage Yard from 2007 to 2013, a mission-focused church that fed 107,000 families and operated a skate park, music venue, and small chain of daycares serving urban at-risk youth. From 2001 to 2015, he also served as a director for Acquire the Fire and Teen Mania Ministries, and as project Director for Global Expeditions.

In 2021 he founded the Dream Center Indianapolis and the Dream Big Network. Michael oversees regional and national initiatives designed to disrupt and reverse the cycle of poverty for single mother and former Forster youth. The Dream Big Network creates synergy by leading leaders across various disciplines, including nonprofit, for-profit, media and arts, education, and community to amplify their collective impact.

In 2026, Michael also launched an investment fund pairing market-rate capital with philanthropic capital for mission-driven real estate.

Michael currently serves on the boards of directors for Charitable Allies and The Renaissance Foundation.