Board of Advisors

Meet Our Board of Advisors

Michelle Rose Gilman
Michelle Rose Gilman
Michelle Rose Gilman founded Fusion Academy and Learning Center, a private, alternative one-to-one school. Fusion students do not fit into the one-size-fits-all model of traditional education. The school started humbly 35 years ago, within her San Diego garage.

It has grown to over 82 campuses in 18 states across the country and the District of Columbia. There is also Fusion Global Academy, the fully online, international version of the school. Fusion is now the leader in the individualized education industry.

Michelle has written 9 books and has been awarded numerous honors for her achievements. Most recently, she was recognized by the 2020 San Diego Women Who Mean Business Awards, and has placed on Inc. Magazine’s 500 Fastest Growing Companies 4 years in a row. Michelle is also a regular blogger for the Huffington Post, and sits on the Board of Advisors for the non-profits The Fusion Scholarship Foundation, The Ambition Program and Rock to Recovery (championed by Wes Geer, former guitarist for the band Korn).

She is a lifelong artist and owns Featherpunkstudio.com. Michelle currently coaches women and men in business through her private practice The Well-Heeled Warrior. Her latest endeavor, The Wanderlust Warrior Project, an empowerment book for young women ages 13-23, written with her husband, was published in 2019.

In her free time you can find Michelle in her garden, painstakingly trying to keep her 100 roses alive. She lives in Cardiff By The Sea with her husband and fur baby, Reggie.

Howard Dell
Howard Dell
Former Olympian Howard Dell approaches every avenue of his life with the same drive, passion and persistence that propelled him, at breakneck speed, down the icy rollercoaster-like slopes of the International Bobsled circuit. Rich in abilities, wide-ranging interests and diverse pursuits…

the multi-talented Dell is an accomplished actor, a musician and composer, and an expert on fitness, health and nutrition. He has crystallized his eclectic interests into his current role as a motivator and positive force for change.

Born and raised in Canada, Dell works around North America while maintaining a home-base in Orange County, California. As a medal-winning athlete, Dell has a deep understanding of what it takes, emotionally and physically, to excel in the elite sports world. He imparts that knowledge through a thriving consulting business, which he juggles with his demanding acting career. Moving easily from on-camera work to projects as a film and television sports advisor, he also trains top North American and European athletes in tennis, track, football and basketball. Dell is currently translating his hard-won, hands-on knowledge about nutrition for health and vitality into a book, Eating Left Because Right Didn’t Work, written for anyone who wants to feel and look better.

Dell consistently makes time to speak out on behalf of various charities. A former national spokesperson for Multiple Sclerosis, he has also donated his talents to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Alberta Lung Association. A passionate advocate for non-violence and anti-drug programs, Dell dreams of one day establishing a basketball camp for kids. He is also currently developing several children’s book ideas.

Early in his performing career he starred in the Canadian stage hit, The Black and Gold Review, where his vocal range, ready wit and transcending charm captivated sold-out audiences and garnered rave reviews. In his spare time, he indulges this life-long passion for music with composing and informal nightclub performances as a pianist and singer in his favorite local hangout.

Dell made his national TV debut on the hit Cosby spin-off TV series A Different World. Other credits include guest and co-starring roles in: Navy NCIS, The Young and The Restless, Malcolm and Eddie, That 70s Show, Psi Factor, Mean Streak, First Wave and Queer as Folk. He also guest starred in Full House, Jack’s Place, The Joe Torre Story and L.A. Heat. Film credits include Totally Blonde, Doomsday Rock and Panic in The Sky.

Dell’s favorite quote is from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Now is the time to make real the promises of your potential.” It is a maxim he lives by.

For more information about Howard, click here.

Alex Murray, MBA
Alex Murray, MBA
Alex Murray is the Market President for BNY Mellon Wealth Management in BNY Mellon’s Newport Beach office. In this role, he oversees the firm’s Wealth Management business for Orange County and San Diego as well as working directly with ultra high net worth individuals…

multi-generational families, and business owners to address their investment and wealth management needs.

Alex joined the firm in 2023 and has more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. His previous experience includes serving as a Managing Director at SVB Private. Prior to that he served as an Executive Director at J.P. Morgan Private Bank and a Vice President Account Manager at PIMCO in Newport Beach, CA.

Alex received a bachelor’s degree from The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD where he was a member of the Varsity Football team. He also holds a master of business administration from The University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School in Chapel Hill, NC. He currently lives in Newport Beach, CA with his wife (Jessica), three children (Tatum -17, Tucker -15, and Boden -10) and black lab, Tilly.