Michael Armand is the founder and executive director of Idaho Empathy Network Corp, a nonprofit organization that focuses on community-based social and criminal justice reform efforts across Idaho. 

Michael operates as a community organizer focusing on local and statewide issues in the area of social justice advocacy, criminal justice advocacy, and political engagement. He has served on the boards of the PEER Wellness Center, NAMI Idaho, and BarNone Inc. Michael is a Fellow of JustleadershipUSA, class of 2020. 

While with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare as a Program Specialist (Behavioral Health Division), he organized and managed Idaho’s Recovery Coach Program, was part of the team that organized Idaho’s first four Recovery Community Centers, and chaired the Idaho Peer Support Connection Conferences from 2015 to 2017. He also developed Idaho’s Recovery Coach training curriculum currently used throughout the state for Certified Recovery Coaches. Michael is a trainer of Certified Peer Specialists. His speaking engagements have included numerous social justice forums/trainings, peer support trainings, and peer support focused conferences across the state of Idaho.