Michelle Tafoya

Michelle Tafoya is the Managing Executive Director of Development for UC Davis Medical Center, where she leads strategic philanthropic initiatives that fuel innovation in health care, research, and patient care. A dedicated advancement professional since 2003, Michelle has built a distinguished career at UC Davis Health grounded in vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to transforming lives through philanthropy.

Throughout her tenure, Michelle has led and elevated some of the institution’s most impactful programs. She successfully managed the Children’s Miracle Network team for UC Davis Children’s Hospital, strengthening community engagement and expanding critical funding for pediatric care. She founded and built the grateful patient program for UC Davis Health, creating meaningful pathways for patients and families to give back in honor of the care they received. She also developed the employee giving program into the highest participating program across the entire University of California system—an achievement that reflects her ability to inspire a culture of generosity and shared purpose. In addition, Michelle has overseen health campus endowments as well as gift and accounting operations, bringing both strategic insight and operational excellence to her leadership.

Michelle’s connection to health care is deeply personal. Having spent most of her life in hospital settings and having witnessed both extraordinary medical miracles and profound loss within her own family, she brings compassion, resilience, and authenticity to her work. These experiences fuel her unwavering dedication to supporting the patients and families served by UC Davis Medical Center each day.

A passionate advocate for philanthropy as a catalyst for healing and discovery, Michelle Tafoya continues to champion transformative partnerships that advance medicine and strengthen the future of health care for generations to come.