Brenda Macon Email and Phone Number

Oversees the operations, finances, marketing and development of a 56 year old non profit with a staff of 20. Responsibilities include: maintaining high quality and relevant programming, working closely with an engaged board of directors and a hard working staff, helping with the care of a 100 year old building in the heart of the downtown; a branding overhaul, budget oversight and public relations management. -Successful at employee retention, donor recruitment, program growth and capitalizing on opportunities to further the mission.DAC is a multi-faceted hub for community arts that hosts and promotes contemporary visual and performing arts, arts education, dynamic exhibits, and the annual Durango Autumn Arts Festival along historic E. 2nd Avenue. Over the years, DAC has built its reputation as a local arts industry leader and has been working diligently to ensure that the arts continue to thrive in the Four Corners region and beyond.Mission: The Durango Arts Center enriches the community through innovative visual and performing art, and arts education. DAC advances appreciation and participation in the arts as a cultural leader in the region.Vision:The Durango Arts Center strives to be a cultural destination and a creative catalyst, inspiring our community through engagement in the arts.

This company was created by Brenda to bring artistic confidence to art students in the Durango Area through art instruction. Over time it became a business of custom artwork, where Brenda painted for clients around the globe. She painted pet and child portraits, cars, and home/garden-scapes for her clients, and offered exclusive personal calligraphy correspondence services.

Taught art to all middle school grades in a project-based learning environment. Mountain Middle School was a brand-new charter school at the time and Brenda was instrumental in integrating an artistic component to all of the core class projects. Brenda created a non-judgmental learning environment in order to foster creative expression, which allowed her to enjoy an excellent rapport with her students, coworkers and families.

Art instructor for the Fort Lewis College Adult Education program. Taught both drawing and Yupo watercolor painting classes.

Responsible for the operations and numerous projects of the owner's office of the Strater Hotel in downtown Durango. Coordinated a successful 2011 District Rotary Conference. Responsible for the research and development of the historic hotel Room Dedication project and corresponding historical dossiers now posted to hotel website.

Responsible for planning and execution of special events, while managing an annual event budget of $900,000. Collaborated with Fort Lewis College on a new sustainable educational partnership in service to the Durango youth, named "Classroom on the Rails", where local college student teachers created lesson plans for student groups (K-12) who rode the train. Pioneered "Diesels & Easels", an 'art train' for art and history lovers. Responsible for managing all licensed/trademarked events such as Polar Express, the Great Pumpkin Patch Express, Day Out with Thomas, etc. and all D&S Museum events, a total of more than 25 events per year.

Brenda managed her family's law office in downtown Ann Arbor, overseeing the HR, billing and general operations of a busy firm specializing in real estate law, estate planning, and business law.

Promoted from a different position within the company to manage this half-million dollar budget for five annual leadership and education programs, including Leadership Ann Arbor. Directed four events per month. Responsible for the funding, marketing, coordination, and development of each program. Recruited and managed volunteer committees and University of Michigan undergraduate and graduate interns. Coordinated with vendors, marketing professionals, and volunteer committees on each of the programs. Orchestrated large scale meetings and retreats. Worked closely with local municipalities and the University of Michigan in order to plan program content.

Brenda worked for the U of M Department of Analytical Chemistry during her college summers. She was responsible for the daily clerical functions of a busy chemistry laboratory and University office of Dr. Mark E. Meyerhoff, professor and inventor of Heparin and the Protamine Sensor. She coordinated his office remodel and took care of the general maintenance of the graduate lab.