Michael Harley was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, and enjoyed sports, reading, and spending time with family growing up.  Attending Loyola High School, Michael was first introduced to the Jesuit concept of “Magis” while performing volunteer hours at an elementary school.  From an early age, Michael knew he wanted to do more and make a lasting impact on the community and people around him.  Always yearning for a desire to expand his understanding of the world, Michael ventured to the University of Hawaii in August of 2001 to complete a bachelor’s degree in English.

Upon earning his degree, Michael was commissioned into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. After completing various military training schools, Michael deployed overseas twice, where he led soldiers in combat and N.A.T.O peacekeeping missions.  He left the military in the rank of Captain in 2010. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Ranger Tab, and Airborne wings, among others.

Michael’s journey in the field supporting neurodiverse people began in August 2011 when he began working as a Direct Support Professional, teaching independent and supported living skills to young adults. He also worked as a Manager of Services for a residential program for neurodiverse college-age students. In a short time, it became clear that he had found his new calling.  Seeing a need for qualified vendors to provide services to the expanding neurodiverse population in the Los Angeles area and having the belief that his background experience and knowledge could bring a new service design concept to the people he supports, Michael partnered with Shannon to launch Level Up Solutions in 2015.

He has assisted in the development of agency policies, procedures, and life skills curriculum, as well as building community and strategic business relationships.  Michael combines a unique blend of direct support experience and analysis to craft unique service plans that speak to the needs and desires of the people he supports.  Always a team player focused on shared results, mutual respect, and inclusion, Michael prides himself on providing high-quality services and building hard-working, compassionate teams while crafting the agency's service design.  He holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) from Creighton University.  Any day, you can find him teaching in a classroom, meeting with concerned support circles, or interacting with the staff and participants he supports in their homes and the community. In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife Molly, labrador retriever Mookie, horseback riding, scuba diving, and being outdoors.