Attendees of the 2013 U.P. Nonprofit Conference will focus on pulling together resources, knowledge and contacts, so they can make a difference in their communities. The theme stems from the idea of collective impact, an approach to solving societal problems based on the idea that no organization acting alone can solve complex issues. It is our desire that attendees leave with new connections, feeling invigorated and enthused as well as equipped to make a difference. (Conference Poster)

The keynote speaker for the 9th Annual Upper Peninsula Nonprofit Conference will be Donna Murray-Brown, President and CEO of Michigan Nonprofit Association.

Donna joined MNA in late 2009 as Director of our Metro Detroit Partnership Office.  Later, her responsibilities increased to become Senior Director of Capacity Building, expanding her work across the state of Michigan.  In her dual role, she led a successful strategic alliance program for arts and culture organizations in Metro Detroit; led the merger negotiations of four organizations to create the Belle Isle Park Conservancy, attracted national program partnerships including New York based, National Urban Fellows to catalyze a culturally diverse pipeline of nonprofit leaders and Wisconsin based, Public Allies, a national service program to augment the education achievement and workforce development work of Metro Detroit nonprofits; and  to bring a national service program cultural competency program investment from the New York based National Urban Fellows, and Public Allies.  Additionally, she led an internal MNA team to create Stronger Communities, one of the boldest civic engagement and cultural competency ever embarked upon by MNA.  Most recently, Donna led in partnership with the Council of Michigan Foundations, the first-ever conjoined conference in Michigan for philanthropy and charities attracting nearly 900 participants. 

On April 2, 2013, the MNA Board of Directors appointed Donna as their new President and CEO.

Prior to joining MNA, Donna was Vice President and Community Reinvestment Act Director for Charter One Bank where she led a statewide Community Investment Strategy. Her nearly 25 years of trusted leadership in the community has earned her great respect as a champion of change in the nonprofit and corporate communities. 

2013 Conference Reception: