Celebrating 15 Years

Michele

Kuhrt

EVP

Lincoln Electric

Cleveland,

Ohio

Industry

Industrials

Area of Expertise

Finance

Immediately Qualified to Serve

Finance

Michele currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer at Lincoln Electric Holdings (NASDAQ: LECO), where she leads the company’s enterprise transformation strategy. She is responsible for developing and aligning the strategic transformation vision and ensuring its successful execution.

Her cross-functional experience includes serving as Chief Human Resource Officer, where she led Lincoln’s global human capital strategy, including talent development and employee engagement. She also served as Chief Information Officer, leading the company’s information technology strategy, including cybersecurity and digital transformation.

A trusted financial expert, visionary digital pioneer, and inclusive leader, Michele fosters a culture where employees thrive. Her curiosity and ability to connect across functions have directly contributed to Lincoln’s global growth and long-term success.

Michele joined Lincoln in 1997 as Director of Taxes. In 2006, she was named Senior Vice President, Taxes, where she took on broader finance responsibilities in addition to leading Lincoln’s global tax strategies.

Before joining Lincoln Electric, Michele served as Group Director of Tax for Elsag Bailey Process Automation NV (a unit of ABB) in Amsterdam, and as an international tax manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers. While in Europe with ABB, she led the integration of a $2B M&A transaction.

Michele has also demonstrated her leadership in the nonprofit sector, serving as board chair of Seton Catholic School, where she led a $3 million capital campaign to complete the campus footprint. She has been an active voice in manufacturing industry advocacy groups, supporting legislation that benefits U.S.-based multinationals, including testifying before the U.S. Congress.

She holds leadership roles with both the Ohio Manufacturer’s Association (OMA) and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Michele is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accountancy from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Code of Conduct: Governing Data & Emerging Tech

Boards are no longer observers of emerging technology; they are stewards of how it’s governed. This panel goes beyond awareness to examine how directors can structure oversight, define accountability, and measure governance effectiveness in AI, data use, and digital innovation. Panelists will share practical strategies for building governance systems that ensure transparency, ethical decision-making, and responsible innovation at scale.

Your First Board Meeting: A Director’s Playbook

Designed for aspiring and newly appointed directors, this session offers practical guidance on how to step confidently into your first boardroom. Learn what to expect in early meetings, how to contribute with purpose, and how to quickly build credibility and trust among seasoned peers. Gain insight into board dynamics, unspoken protocols, and the critical questions new directors should be ready to ask and answer.

Tactics that Work: Case Studies in Navigating Shareholder Activism

In this tactical, director-focused session, participants will engage in case-based exercises to dissect real campaigns and pressure scenarios. From activist letters to proxy fights, explore how boards can craft strategic responses that reinforce governance integrity, protect corporate reputation, and align with long-term priorities. Walk away with actionable tactics and frameworks to strengthen board preparedness in the face of growing investor scrutiny.

Inside the Boardroom: Resilience Planning in Action

This interactive session places directors inside the boardroom during moments of disruption. Through tabletop exercises and real-world scenarios, participants will explore how boards can apply structured frameworks to assess geopolitical risk, anticipate threats, and make decisive decisions under pressure. Designed as a classroom-style session, this breakout provides practical tools to strengthen oversight and build a proactive board response strategy in an increasingly uncertain world.

Reputation & Response: How Boards Navigate Shareholder Activism

As shareholder activism intensifies, boards face mounting pressure to defend strategy, protect corporate reputation, and engage stakeholders with clarity. This panel brings together seasoned directors to explore how boards can respond effectively while maintaining credibility, board alignment, and stakeholder trust. Hear real-world insights on navigating activism in today’s high-stakes, high-visibility environment.

Navigating Global Markets: Trade, Tariffs, and Supply Chain Strategy

As global disruptions reshape business models, this panel will explore how boards can navigate the practical complexities of trade, tariffs, and supply chain shifts across regions. Panelists will share how directors are guiding companies through regulatory changes, sourcing challenges, and new market risks, while seizing opportunities for growth and operational agility.

Strengthening Oversight: Risk Management and Board Resilience

This keynote will equip directors to think globally about risk through the lens of geopolitical foresight, cross-border tensions, and long-term instability. Learn how boards can strengthen oversight and guide enterprise-wide resilience by anticipating disruption and embedding a proactive risk culture in a changing world.