Michael Dep, an associate at ScottMadden, joined the firm in 2020 after receiving a B.A. in political science and environmental science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Michael works across both Energy and Corporate & Shared Services practice areas. He is also an active leadership member of the Supply Chain Community of Practice (CoP) and the pillar lead for our Environment and Emissions Corporate Responsibility work.
Clicking In
Michael was born and raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with his older brother, Andrew. From a young age, music and the outdoors were central to his upbringing. Time was often spent with his father bonding over an eclectic range of music, from classic rock like Simon & Garfunkel to crooners, including Frank Sinatra. Michael would even receive a mix of music from his father’s friends and reveled in the ability to constantly discover new sounds. Inspired by this musical backdrop, eight-year-old Michael picked up the guitar and later the saxophone in middle school. He then further committed himself to his craft by signing up for marching band in high school and starting a rock band with his friends, named “The Necks,” after a childhood gang. When Michael wasn’t recording music with his friends, he would spend his time outdoors. Biking the town and trails of Chapel Hill was one of his favorite activities and sparked in him an appreciation for the environment.
Shifting Gears
For college, Michael stayed close to home and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After initially studying biomedical engineering, he shifted gears to focus on environmental studies and political science—a path that more closely resonated with his passion for energy, sustainability, and the environment. While at the E3P department at UNC, Michael completed research projects about technology corridors and several energy and sustainability projects in North Carolina. While in college, he worked as a photographer, picking up various graduation and automotive photoshoots for students and enthusiasts in the Triangle. Between academics and hobbies, Michael also worked at a taco restaurant where he met Anna, his now partner of more than six years.
Upon graduating, Michael was driven to find himself a job that could harness his creativity while exploring his interests for energy and clean technology. In 2019, he met ScottMadden at UNC’s Cleantech Summit. He connected with a colleague at the firm, interviewed, and later landed the job. Michael began as an analyst and is now an associate. In his time at ScottMadden, he has worked both energy and shared services projects. Today, Michael serves as the Supply Chain CoP’s learning pathway pillar lead and continues to stay closely engaged with his sustainability interests by leading the firm’s energy and environment corporate responsibility work.
In the Zone
Outside of work, Michael’s artistic and adventurous spirit is still evident and reflected in his hobbies.
In 2020, gravel cycling first started out as a way for Michael to safely exercise outdoors during the pandemic. Now, it has become one of his greatest passions. He rides one to two hours daily around the Triangle, and when he can, he ventures across the Carolinas for day-long events. Diversity in the sport and riding for a cause is important to Michael. He currently rides with the Raleigh-based Jigawatt Cycling Team and has helped organize grassroots efforts to increase interest in the sport while raising money for organizations such as the Triangle Land Conservancy. Whether it’s 20 or 100 miles, gravel cycling provides Michael an outlet to enjoy North Carolina’s beauty while surrounding himself with an incredible biking community.
Between cycling and work, Michael cherishes spending quality time with his family, friends, and dog, Dimo (fun fact: Dimo was named after his Airbnb host on the Island of Hawaii). Although he is sad to be leaving his home state of North Carolina, he is excited to pursue new adventures with his partner, Anna, in Santa Barbara, California!
