Michelle Gravenish is the current Chair of the AKJA certification committee and has been keeping koi since the early 2000’s. Michelle became a Certified AKJA Judge in 2017 and entered the ZNA Judging program in 2023. She has participated in judging seminars in the US and Japan as well as ZNA enlightenment seminars/weekends to add to her knowledge base.
Michelle has judged koi shows across the United States and in the Netherlands and throughout the year attempts to attend, judge or volunteer at least one koi show a month.
Living in Bloomington, Minnesota, she has adapted to the cold winters with a state of art winter system in her heated 4 car garage. Her Koi live in the garage from October through June and enjoy Minnesota sun for 4-5 months.
Michelle’s local club is the Upper Midwest Koi Club (UMKC) and has held positions as President, Vice President and Secretary and managed their website and Facebook page. Michelle also serves as Show Chairperson for the UMKC Show. Michelle believes in supporting local koi clubs and also holds memberships in ZNA Carolina and NMZNA.
Michelle joined Koi Health Advisor (KHA) program in 2016 to be able to help her fellow Koi hobbyist with Koi health issues.
She co-founded the Koi Keepers of North America Facebook group and serves as an admin.
In real life, Michelle is a Credit Risk Manager for Wells Fargo. In the Koi word, Michelle is a self-described gambler at heart, so her favorite koi variety is Showa. Michelle enjoys raising young showa and growing them out as it is one variety where “you might just get lucky”.
American Koi Judges Association (AKJA) 