Jessica Lind Peterson Email & Phone Number

Duluth, Mn, Us

Duluth, Minnesota, United States

As Development Director, I provide development leadership to the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation by connecting generous individuals and organizations with the opportunity to make a difference in the community through charitable giving. I also oversee communications, developing and executing strategic communication plans that effectively promote the foundation’s mission, enhance its public image, and engage donors, partners, and the broader community.

An award-winning essayist, my work has appeared in many prominent literary magazines such as: Orion, Seneca Review, The Rumpus, River Teeth, Alaska Quarterly Review, Passages North, Anomaly and others. My first book, SOUND LIKE TRAPPED THUNDER, was awarded the prestigious 2020 Deborah Tall Lyric Essay Book Prize and is published by Seneca Review Books. To order click here: https://senecareview.submittable.com/submit/179699/order-sound-like-trapped-thunderMy essays are lyrical/imagination-forward and explore the nuanced, frayed and profound intersections between the human world and the natural world.

I am a widely produced, published playwright with over thirty professional productions in theaters in the Twin Cities and across the U.S. I write heartfelt, quirky, character-driven comedies. Mpls. St. Paul Magazine recently hailed me a "MinneSNOWta Christmas Send-up Master" for my cheeky Minnesota-themed holiday comedies. My recent projects include a stage adaptation of The NY Times Best selling novel, The Christmas Shoes, by Donna VanLiere for A.D. Players at the George Theatre in Houston and a holiday radio play, A Cattywampus Christmas, commissioned by A.D. Players at the George Theatre and Yellow Tree Theatre.

Duluth, Mn

I am thrilled to join the talented staff at the University of MN Duluth College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Dept. of Theatre as an adjunct professor teaching my very favorite thing...Playwriting!

St Paul, Minnesota, United States

Instructor at Hamiline University, Graduate Program in Creative Writing.

Duluth, Minnesota, United States

As the Development Director, I worked alongside the Depot Foundation board to expand the foundation's fundraising efforts, grow its community impact, and care for and support the arts and cultural organizations at the St. Louis County Depot in Duluth. Key accomplishments: • Raised over $50,000 in new funding to create a new scholarship program, Arts for All, which provides tuition for youth in the Duluth area to participate in dance, theater, music and art education through the Minnesota Ballet, Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, Duluth Art Institute, Lake Superior Railroad Museum, and Duluth Playhouse• Implemented new donor software, resulting in increased efficiency and improved donor relations• In a span of 18 months, increased individual and corporate donations by 130%

Osseo, Mn

Co-founder of professional nonprofit theater with thirteen years experience working in the following areas: development, fundraising, donor relations, grant writing, communications, strategic planning, press relations, social media, board recruitment and development. • As interim artistic director, served as artistic and administrative head of organization to realize the artistic and operational goals and mission, serving as primary ambassador to artists and broader community• As lead grant writer, secured and managed grants from national, regional and private foundations such as: National Endowment for the Arts, McKnight Foundation, Target, Great River Energy, IBM, Minnesota State Arts Board, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and others.• Lead copywriter responsible for written content including: marketing copy, website, press releases, newsletters, giving campaigns and social media. • Served as lead on organization's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives• Cultivated an engaging social media platform of over ten thousand followers.• Maintained press relations; appeared regularly on news programs such as WCCO's Finding Minnesota, Fox9 Buzz, CCX On the Town, and more; successfully pitched stories to news outlets such as: MN Monthly, Mpls. St. Paul Magazine, Mpls. Star Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press, Lavender Magazine, City Pages, WCCO, Fox9 and others.• Oversaw fundraising initiatives, donor relations and special events• Developed community partnerships with local schools, libraries, businesses and other organizations• Was key in distinguishing organization as a top professional theater in the Twin Cities; named “Most Unexpected Place to Find Great Theater” by Mpls. Star Tribune’s Best of MN; productions consistently garnered rave reviews by prominent media outlets; awarded the MRAC Arts Achievement Award; awarded a National Theater Company Grant by the American Theater Wing

Master Of Fine Arts, Creative Writing

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), English Literature And Theater Arts