When Donna Murray-Brown joined the Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) 12 years ago, she’s steadily made her mark — especially as the first woman to lead MNA when she became CEO eight years ago.
As the organization’s first woman (and woman of color) at the helm, Murray-Brown continues to make huge strides in the non-profit world in southeastern Michigan and beyond.
“(It was) really a huge honor for me to demonstrate what it means to be a woman leading a statewide association and being a woman of color. It is important to me to share with folks (because there are) not many women, and women of color, leading state associations or organizations,” she said.
Today, the Detroit native told exclusively to the Michigan Chronicle that she is leaving her post and officially resigning due to her husband accepted a new job offer in Louisville, Kentucky. The move will take her family out of state. Murray-Brown, however, will stay on through Dec. 31 and provide consulting services as needed through the first quarter of 2022.
“(We are) excited about what our future holds,” Murray-Brown told the Michigan Chronicle, adding that, however, the move will be “bittersweet.”
“My hometown is Detroit; we (my husband and I) went to Cass Tech High School, we knew each other since then — it is a big move for us,” she said, adding that she is “open to what the future holds” for her career-wise.
MNA has already begun the establishment of a search committee, headed by Incompass Michigan CEO Todd Culver, to begin its hiring and recruitment efforts. Both internal and external candidates will be considered, and the board is making stakeholder input a high priority. The search process is expected to commence in the coming weeks.
“This is difficult news for all of us,” said MNA board chair Scott Schropp. “During challenging times, the gift of great leadership is one to cherish more than ever, and Donna has been a reliable source of unruffled, courageous and profound direction each and every day. Her work will have a tremendous impact on our state’s nonprofit sector for generations to come.”
During her tenure, Murray-Brown has led significant restructuring and engagement efforts among the organization’s programming and leadership. She has been a consistent champion for innovation and has developed essential partnerships with state and national organizations, making sure our state was included in important national conversations. Her leadership has been recognized repeatedly at the state and national levels, including honors from the Nonprofit Times’ Power and Influence Top 50. “Donna has led Michigan’s nonprofit community with skill and grace through one of the most significant, complex, and turbulent periods of modern nonprofit history,” said Rip Rapson, president and CEO, Kresge Foundation. “Her clarity of vision about the vital role of nonprofits in fortifying the state’s civic culture and her unwavering commitment to improving opportunities for the State’s least fortunate citizens will leave an indelible mark on our community. She has left the state a better place.”
Most of all, however, Murray-Brown is known for her efforts to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion in the nonprofit sector.
“When I think of the many talented people driven to help build justice and opportunity in southeast Michigan, Donna’s name rises to the very top of the list. She is wise, brave and effective,” said Allandra Bulger, executive director of Co.act Detroit. “Her work in our region has made it a significantly better place. I know how hard it will be for her to leave us, but I also know we all are better for her time here. Her collaborative efforts have fostered the kinds of changes that will be truly transformative for generations to come.”
“There are strong leaders, and then there are game-changers like Donna,” Schropp said. “Through her efforts, the MNA is in a position that’s stronger than it’s ever been. We are looking forward to identifying a worthy successor who can take the baton and propel our organization forward to all the amazing work we still want to do to advance and support the people of Michigan.”
Murray-Brown said that despite her move, her roots are in Detroit and they will always be, regardless of her physical location.
“Me and my family, we love Detroit,” she said. “We’re going to miss our hometown and take all the things we know to be true here and have that as a part of our experience and take that to Louisville.”
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