Bronlynn Thurman Email & Phone Number

Cleveland, Oh, Us

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area

- Advance GAR Foundation’s strategic priorities through the assessment and review of grant applications through an equitable lens.- Collaborated with Program Team members and provided leadership for community of practice, working groups, and planning on strategy to support systems change.- Managed and made recommendations on nearly $10 million in grants ranging from community development, arts, education, basic needs, and capital projects.- Developed and oversaw Essential Experiences, a $3.3 million arts education program that impacts every elementary school student in Akron’s local public school district, developed programming to address cultural awareness and foster collaboration among arts and culture institutions, and addressed communication challenges between partners and the school district.- Developed the Foundation’s equitable community development strategy, invested in capacity building for area community development organizations, developed workshops and educational programming, and acted as a sounding board for partners.- Facilitated dozens of panel discussions, designed and lead workshops, convened several dozen partners, and conducted several dozen initiative focused presentations.- Built relationships across sectors to support the development of a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem.- Drove internal initiatives to uplift the voices of BIPOC residents in the grantmaking process through the creation of the Foundation’s first Community Voice Committee.- Maximized grantmaking by creating a feedback loop for grantees through ongoing communication and relationship building.- Liaised between city government, county funding partners, banking institutions, and community development organizations.- Acted as a working group member and thought leader on strategy aligned initiatives in regional economic development, county-wide arts and culture strategic plan, city-wide neighborhood development and public space.

Akron, Ohio

- Assisted President and Senior Vice President in strategy-aligned initiatives.- Managed a $750,000+ grantmaking portfolio that included capital and arts challenge grants annually.- Acted as a thought leader and foundation representative for Akron Civic Commons. -Navigated dual role as a Program Assistant for John S. & James L. Knight Foundation.

Akron, Ohio

- Assisted with the review and management of the Akron office’s grant portfolio focused on community development and economic opportunity.- Co-developed Common Threads, a year-long program that focused on uplifting community voices and connecting experiences in unique neighborhood spaces.- Presented on community engagement at half a dozen convenings.- Successfully co-led Downtown Akron programming with mobile game developer Niantic for Pokémon Go that garnered national attention.- Played a lead role in Reimagining the Civic Commons (Akron) Communications Committee and acted as a core team and thought leader.- Supported the Program Director on internal administrative work.- Navigated dual role as Program Associate for GAR Foundation between 2016-2019.

Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area

Traditional editorial duties that included reviewing story pitches, conducting meetings, organizing contributors, and editing submissions.Wrote and photographed community arts stories.Highlighted historically marginalized residents and their contributions to a vibrant community.

Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area

- Coordinated with librarians to plan events and oversaw the execution of major main library programs.- Resolved problems as needed, ran sound equipment, processed reservations, and invoices.- Developed and designed an internal monthly newsletter that highlighted and uplifted staff voices and initiatives.

Akron, Oh

Handled circulation of library materialsFront desk customer service

Akron, Ohio

Create the main bi-weekly cartoon featured in the magazine.Research, attend, and report about local events.Photojournalism

Akron, Oh

-Crafting News Releases-Graphic Designer-Social Media writer

Master Of Science (M.S.), Information Architecture & Knowledge Management - User Experience Design

Bachelor Of Science, Advertising, Commercial And Advertising Art/Design, Marketing, & Psychology

Activities and Societies: Kappa Tau AlphaAdvertising degree with a focus in design and copywriting. Marketing and Psychology minor Dean's.

Graphic Design

Dean's List Fall 2008, Spring 2009