The Michele E. Dufault Foundation
The Michele E. Dufault Foundation was established by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dufault in 2013 to honor the life and legacy of their daughter, Michele E. Dufault. The Foundation’s mission is to expand education and career opportunities for young people, especially girls and young women, in Massachusetts in the fields of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM).
About Michele
Michele grew up in Scituate, MA where her interest in the natural world – especially the ocean and outer space – started at a young age. At Noble & Greenough School, Michele was co-captain of the cross-country and women’s crew teams and was an incredibly driven student who excelled in science and French literature. She volunteered at New England Village supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and taught children about wildlife as a camp counselor with the Audubon Society.
At Yale, Michele pursued a double major in Astronomy and Physics. She also played saxophone in the Yale Precision Marching Band. Michele interned at the Institute for Astronomy in Hawaii and at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) on Cape Cod. She had planned to continue exploring her passion for ocean sciences after graduation with an internship at the University of Washington before pursuing a PhD at MIT and WHOI.
Michele was curious – always on a quest to understand nature’s mysteries. She was a humble leader and always her authentic self. Michele was incredibly generous and she treated everyone with respect and understanding. Her legacy will live on through the Michele E. Dufault Foundation.
Grant History
Trustees
Diane Dufault
Robert Dufault
Caroline Dufault
Advisory Committee
Brooke Kingsland
Mary Brannelly
Contact Information
There is no formal grant application process, and grantees are selected at the discretion of the Trustees. For additional information, please contact:
Jessica Coakley, Philanthropic Advisor
Hemenway & Barnes LLP
75 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
jcoakley@hembar.com
(617) 557-9774