Blog
Over 40 & Unstoppable: Celebrating Michelle Hodgson, CEO and 2015 Cover Winner

Over 40 & Unstoppable: Celebrating Michelle Hodgson, CEO and 2015 Cover Winner

F XOct. 27, 2025

When purpose meets passion, extraordinary things happen. Meet Michelle Hodgson—CEO of Synergy Benefits & Wellness, founder of Children Helping Children, and our second featured leader in the Over 40's & Unstoppable series. As the 2015 Over 40 & Fabulous Cover Winner, Michelle has spent years proving that success isn't just about what you achieve—it's about who you lift up along the way.

A Legacy of Partnership and Impact

Michelle Hodgson is a trailblazer in the Atlanta community, dedicating her career to creating impactful programs and opportunities for those in need. As the CEO of Synergy Benefits & Wellness, she leads a boutique employee benefits agency that offers proactive solutions to employers, guiding them through the complex process of selecting the best insurance for their most valuable asset—their people.

Through innovative technology and HR services, Synergy helps curate efficiency in the benefits process, acting as an extension of the HR department and allowing companies to run their businesses better. But what truly sets Michelle apart is her commitment to building a company grounded in four foundational principles: Culture, Service, Growth, and Give Back.

Empowering the Next Generation Through LOVEFEST

Michelle is also the founder of Children Helping Children, a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers youth to be more philanthropic in the community. Through signature initiatives like the LOVEFEST festival and the LOVETRAIN, Michelle provides children and teens with platforms to showcase their talents and execute in-kind donation assemblies to benefit area children in need of food, clothes, school supplies, and more.

The annual LOVEFEST has become a beloved Atlanta tradition, bringing together families, young performers, and community members in a celebration of giving and creativity. Her innovative approach to youth philanthropy has created lasting impact, giving young people the tools and opportunities to become compassionate community leaders.

Mark your calendars! The Winter LOVEFEST is returning on December 4, 2025. This year's event promises to be another beautiful gathering where children shine, community comes together, and love is put into action through meaningful giving.

Living Your Best Self at Every Age

What makes Michelle truly unstoppable isn't just her impressive resume—it's her unwavering belief that true success comes from giving from a place of abundance. She's proven that you can run a thriving for-profit business while maintaining a deep commitment to nonprofit work. She's shown that being over 40 means you have the experience, wisdom, and resources to make an even greater impact than you did in your earlier years.

Michelle's journey reminds us that being unstoppable after 40 means leading with clearly defined values, creating opportunities for others, and finding balance between professional success and community impact.

Read Michelle's Complete Story

Want to learn more about Michelle's philosophy on wellness, giving back, and what it means to lead with purpose? Discover her insights on taking a proactive approach in a reactive industry, why for-profit businesses should partner with nonprofits, and her powerful advice for achieving true health and wellness.

Read Michelle Hodgson's full feature in Best Self Atlanta: https://bestselfatlanta.com/2021-over-40-fab-synergy-benefits/

Her feature celebrates her unwavering commitment, leadership, and the positive influence she continues to have in the lives of so many—making her a perfect example of what it means to be Over 40 & Unstoppable.

Connect with Michelle: Synergy Benefits & Wellness: www.synergybenefits.com Children Helping Children: www.chcatlanta.org

Over 40's & Unstoppable is a celebration of leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who prove that the best years are often yet to come. Stay tuned for our next featured leader who continues to redefine what's possible after 40.