Michelle Klipfel’s career is a testament to the power of curiosity, passion and persistence. From her beginnings in personal banking to leading one of the most dynamic divisions in retail today, Michelle has built a legacy centered around innovation, deep relationships and a relentless pursuit of meaningful impact.

Michelle began her professional journey in the financial sector, quickly realizing that traditional banking wasn’t where her long-term passion lay. When the bank she worked for was acquired, she made a pivotal decision to relocate to the Minneapolis St. Paul area to pursue a career in marketing. It was a bold move that set the stage for a career defined by growth and transformation.

Her professional background and love for consumer products led her to a position with Portu Sunberg Marketing, a Minneapolis-based retail agency. There, she began on smaller regional accounts and local Midwest retailers, gaining hands-on experience traveling, meeting buyers, setting up and working shows and managing seasonal product lines.

It wasn’t long before Michelle found her way onto the coveted Target account. It was a dream she’d had since she started shopping as a loyal Target guest herself.

Since then, Michelle has spent over a decade working closely with Target, holding roles across analytics, sales, account management and ultimately becoming the team lead in 2015.

Today, as president of The Barcode Group’s Target division, she not only oversees key accounts but also provides strategic guidance across brands and categories. Her comprehensive knowledge of the retail ecosystem — from product ideation and merchandising to consumer messaging — positions her as both a tactical leader and a visionary strategist.

Michelle thrives on finding white space in the market, unmet consumer needs that brands and retailers may not yet see. She once identified a product gap for a specific demographic then pitched the idea to a manufacturer and helped them bring the brand to life. And it all started with the simple concept on a sticky note!

The result? A disruptive, top-performing line that started as a Target exclusive and eventually expanded to specialty retailers, Michaels, Walmart and beyond. This truly encapsulates Michelle’s unique blend of data-driven insight and creative innovation.

Colleagues describe her as high-energy, deeply passionate and fiercely driven. She brings an objective lens and thoughtful perspective to every partnership. Her ability to rally a team, challenge norms and foster trust has earned her an impeccable reputation, particularly with major retail partners like Target. She sees herself as a strategic thought partner, helping brands understand their purpose and positioning in a crowded marketplace.

Michelle’s leadership style is rooted in authenticity and care. She believes that great leaders are both motivating and genuine, and she makes it a priority to ensure her team members feel valued and inspired.

“Respect is earned when people see your passion,” she says. “I want to make sure they feel respected and heard as well.” It’s a principle she lives by in every meeting, pitch and partnership.

A passionate advocate for women in business, Michelle encourages young professionals to stay curious, know their data and communicate with intention. Her advice? “You don’t have to be aggressive to be intentional. Be genuine in your approach. Make your point in an impactful way.”

Outside of work, Michelle leads an active, people-centered life. She and her husband enjoy hiking, playing pickleball and exploring with their dogs. She’s also a proud mother of two strong, accomplished daughters; one in medicine, the other in management. Both reflect the values of drive, empathy and leadership she’s modeled.

Looking ahead, Michelle doesn’t see herself stepping away from the work she loves anytime soon. “I love to work. It gives me a broader purpose,” she shares. As long as there are brands to build, retail partnerships to strengthen and white space to fill, Michelle Klipfel will be at the forefront, energizing teams, shaping strategies and driving meaningful growth.

To connect with Michelle or learn more about The Barcode Group’s capabilities at Target, contact us at info@thebarcodegroup.com.