“I’m incredibly grateful for the guidance and support I received from Chief Moriarty throughout my Chief of Police promotional process. She brought not only expertise but also a genuine commitment to my success. She offered thoughtful feedback and supported me throughout the process. Chief Moriarty helped me sharpen my approach and feel more confident in my abilities.  I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for mentorship and guidance.” 

Chief Michele Wagner

 

“Working with Chief Michelle Moriarty has been one of the greatest privileges of my

career. As a leader, mentor, and steady source of support, she set the standard for

professionalism, integrity, and calm, confident leadership. She didn’t just guide me—she

invested in me. Through countless conversations, training sessions, and real   - world

challenges, she prepared me for the responsibilities of the Interim Chief’s position with

patience, honesty, and unwavering belief in my potential."

 

"Her commitment to developing future leaders was more than words; she lived it. The

knowledge and confidence I carry today are a direct result of Chief Moriarty’s intentional

mentoring and the example she set every day. Her influence helped shape the leader I

am today, and I remain deeply grateful for the opportunity to work side by side and

learn from her."

 

"I would wholeheartedly recommend Chief Moriarty to anyone fortunate enough to work

alongside a leader of such character and dedication.”

Commander Tory Jantz

 

“When I first reached out to Michelle (Shelly) about career coaching, I had learned that she had recently retired as the Chief of Police for Black Hawk. At the time, I was approximately 18 months into my role as a sergeant at an agency of 36 sworn officers. I was looking for someone who could mentor me, challenge me, and provide guidance as I continued developing as a female frontline leader in law enforcement.

 

From our very first conversation, Shelly understood what I was looking for. She has helped me develop a plan focused not only on navigating changes within my agency, but also on becoming the best leader I can be for the officers I supervise and the organization I serve.

 

One of the things I appreciate most about Shelly is that she has never pushed me to pursue promotion simply for the sake of moving up the ranks. She has been patient and supportive of my desire to first build a strong foundation as a patrol sergeant. She understands that becoming an effective leader takes time, experience, self-reflection, and a willingness to continually learn.

 

Shelly has provided me with practical coaching methods and tools that I can immediately apply to my leadership role. What sets her apart is that she doesn't simply provide advice and walk away. She continues to check in, ask about my progress, and help me evaluate what is working and where I can continue to improve. She is consistently available when I need guidance or a different perspective.

 

Having someone with Shelly's experience, knowledge, and leadership background has been incredibly valuable. She has helped me navigate challenges with greater confidence while encouraging me to think critically about the leader I want to become.

 

I would highly recommend Shelly to anyone in law enforcement who is looking for a career coach, mentor, or leadership resource. Her experience as a police chief gives her a unique perspective, but it is her genuine investment in the people she coaches that makes the greatest difference. She has become an important part of my continued growth as a leader, and I am grateful to have her in my corner.”

Sergeant Corissa Cygan

 

“Few people shape both a career and a life the way Michelle Moriarty shaped mine. From my earliest years as an officer, she saw potential in me, challenged me to pursue excellence, and always made time to listen and offer honest guidance through both professional and personal challenges. Because she believed in me, I had the confidence to pursue my first special assignment with our newly formed Community Response Impact Team, an opportunity that went on to define the next 20 years of my career. Even as she rose through the ranks to Commander and later Chief, she never stopped being a mentor. She has been the constant I’ve always turned to for advice and guidance, becoming not only a leader I deeply respect, but also a lifelong friend for whom I’ll always be grateful.” 

Dave Curtice (Master Police Officer)

 

“Michelle Moriarty is the type of leader who helped shape my career and inspire me to be better. She was my Commander when I was a brand-new patrol cop, and she invested in helping me grow both professionally and personally. She has an incredible ability to challenge you in the best way - by asking tough questions, pushing you to think critically (which I needed help with!), and helping you find confidence in your own abilities. What sets her apart is how much she genuinely cares about her people. She’s incredibly intelligent, direct, supportive, and invested in seeing others succeed. The time she spent mentoring me helped me find myself and feel more confident as a cop, and now five years later. I’m grateful not only for her guidance when we worked together, but for the mentorship and leadership she’s provided me since then as well.” 

Sam Tierney (Assistant Programs Director)

 

“I was graciously hired by Chief Michelle Moriarty in 2022 as a 911 dispatcher when she was the Chief of Black Hawk.  I remember during my interview with her, we had conversations about her values and philosophy for the department, which reflected her character. During that conversation, I immediately knew that Black Hawk was a good fit for me. A few years later, she allowed me to attend the Police Academy and become an officer, which was a goal we had discussed in our initial conversation."

 

"From the very beginning, she invested in me one-on-one by sharing her wealth of knowledge. She can recognize the potential in others, including me, and has challenged me to grow, providing mentorship and guidance throughout each step of the way when I needed it most, and she still does to this day. One thing she told me I will always remember and cherish is “short-term discomfort for long-term gain,” which has been a huge motivator in my life, not only professionally but also personally.”

Jake Steerman (Police Officer)