Michelle Kangas
Welcome to the digital home of Michelle Kangas Huff, a respected entrepreneur, creative leader, and advocate for wellness, empathy, and innovation. This platform showcases Michelle’s multifaceted career in the market data industry, where she has spent over two decades driving growth, leading with purpose, and designing elegant brand solutions as managing director of Finaeon. Known for her unique blend of business acumen, artistic sensibility, and human-centered values, Michelle Kangas Huff has built a reputation for excellence and authenticity. Beyond her professional success, she is deeply committed to fostering resilience, supporting recovery, championing animal welfare, and encouraging others to live with integrity and grace. Through her work, advocacy, and creative vision, Michelle Kangas Huff continues to inspire individuals and businesses to thrive—not just in their achievements, but in the way they show up for the world around them.
About Michelle Kangas Huff
A Life Rooted in Nature, Creativity, and Purpose
Michelle Kangas Huff, a lifelong resident of San Clemente, California, is a vibrant individual whose passions span business, design, wellness, and compassion. Surrounded by the coastal beauty of Southern California, Michelle finds continual inspiration in nature and embraces an active, health-conscious lifestyle. Her days often begin or end with walks on the beach or invigorating hikes through nearby trails—experiences that ground her and foster a deep sense of gratitude.
While her surroundings provide the backdrop for her daily life, Michelle Kangas Huff’s inner world is just as rich. A lover of creativity and expression, she finds joy in art museums, theater performances, and fashion. Whether attending a show at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles or browsing an art fair in Orange County, Michelle’s appreciation for aesthetics and culture shines through every aspect of her personality.
Professional Journey: Leadership in Market Data
Michelle Kangas Huff is the managing director and co-founder of Finaeon, a company she helped launch in 2008. With over 25 years of experience in the market data industry, she has carved out a niche in sales and client relations, building long-term partnerships through trust, strategic thinking, and a customer-first mindset.
Her extensive background in data-driven technology, analytics, and market solutions makes her a recognized leader in the space. She thrives in a field known for complexity and fast-paced change, yet what sets Michelle apart is her blend of technical expertise with a designer’s eye. She is actively involved in shaping her company’s visual identity—designing logos, websites, and branding materials that reflect the firm’s values and appeal to clients across industries.
While she rarely touts this creative work as a favorite pastime—it’s part of her daily job—Michelle’s contributions to Finaeon’s design and communication efforts are as essential as her executive leadership.
Passions Beyond the Office
Outside of work, Michelle Suzanne Huff’s interests span many areas, all rooted in a desire to experience beauty, wellness, and human connection. She is a self-proclaimed enthusiast of art, interior design, and fashion. Her love for these fields is not just about appearances but about expression and storytelling. She often draws inspiration from visual arts, curated spaces, and the timeless elegance of classic fashion.
In her downtime, she frequents her favorite restaurants, including Fleming’s, Joey Newport Beach, Fisherman’s, and King’s Fish House. These culinary destinations are not just indulgences but places where she finds joy in good food and meaningful conversation.
Michelle Suzanne Huff also practices Pilates regularly and views physical health as an extension of emotional and mental well-being. Her approach to beauty is balanced—she enjoys looking good but rejects the pressure of perfection. Having battled and overcome an eating disorder, she advocates for inner beauty, self-acceptance, and kindness. Her story is one of healing, resilience, and the ongoing commitment to gratitude.
A Journey of Recovery and Empowerment
Michelle Kangas Huff is a proud and active member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), an organization that has played a critical role in her personal journey. While the program is traditionally anonymous, she is open about the profound impact it has had on her life. AA has not only helped her maintain sobriety and recovery from an eating disorder, but it has also given her the tools to help others in their own healing journeys.
Through her involvement, Michelle Suzanne Huff has become a beacon of hope for those struggling with addiction or body image issues. She lives each day with intention, constantly aware of how important it is to uplift others, especially in a world where criticism and judgment are often louder than encouragement. She is particularly passionate about standing against bullying—especially among young people—and works to create a world where empathy, not cruelty, shapes the next generation.
Devotion to Family and Relationships
At the heart of Michelle’s world is her family. She beams with pride when talking about her daughter, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), whose talent and drive have made her a rising star in the creative industry. She also shares a deep admiration for her daughter’s partner of five years, who is currently studying law. Watching the two of them pursue their dreams brings Michelle immense joy and hope for the future.
Remarkably, Michelle Kangas Huff also maintains a strong, supportive relationship with her ex-husband, Mike Cerneant. The two continue to work together professionally and share the responsibilities of parenting. Michelle credits Mike as being not only an incredible father but also a wonderful stepfather, and she values their ongoing friendship and professional partnership. Their relationship is a powerful example of what mutual respect and teamwork can accomplish, even after life takes new turns.
A Heart for Giving
Michelle Suzanne Huff’s deep compassion extends beyond her family and work to the broader community. She is a committed supporter of the ASPCA and donates regularly to animal welfare causes. Her love for animals is more than a sentiment—it’s a belief that all creatures deserve kindness and protection. For Michelle, wealth and success are only as meaningful as the good they can do in the world. “You can’t take money with you,” she often says, “but you can make sure it helps someone else while you’re here.”
This belief fuels her generous spirit and shapes how she leads, gives, and lives. Whether through quiet acts of kindness or more visible charitable contributions, Michelle Kangas Huff is always looking for ways to give back. She believes that our purpose as humans is to serve, to support, and to help one another find joy, healing, and hope.
Michelle Kangas Huff is a woman of rare balance—equal parts professional powerhouse and nurturing soul, creative visionary and grounded realist. She leads with authenticity, celebrates the success of others without envy, and lives with purpose in every role she fills. Whether she is closing a deal, mentoring someone in recovery, designing a brand, or spending time with loved ones, she shows up fully. Her story is not just one of success but one of transformation, service, and deep gratitude.