Leslie Donaldson Email & Phone Number

Traverse City, Mi, Us

Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States

Traverse City, Michigan, United States

Responsible for the launch of a new, 4-story, state-of-the-art, nonprofit real-estate cooperative designed as a community hub for the arts, food, families, and wellness. Engaged and collaborated with a range of regional stakeholders, board members, staff, and co-op owners including seven commercial tenants, 20 residential tenants, and countless community owners. Oversaw the development of creative programs, services, and project management systems to drive mission-driven goals. Set strategy with the staff and board, supported policy development, and oversaw processes and operations including HR, staffing, co-op governance, membership, fundraising, property management, financial management, budgeting, DEAI, and ecosystem development. Fostered opportunities to support area affordable housing, aid nonprofit organizations, promote community well-being, and contribute toward the development of a newly expanding commercial corridor.

Pittsburgh, Pa

Served as a full-time faculty member in the Master of Arts Management (MAM) Program and held an appointment in the College of Fine Arts with a courtesy appointment in the Heinz College of Information Systems, Public Policy, and Management. Designed and delivered courses in-person, online, and through hybrid modalities in creative placemaking, public art, museum operations, exhibition management, fundraising, grantwriting, grants management, cultural policy and advocacy. Advised 12-14 capstone students annually on systems change research projects for external clients. Supported the administrative efforts of the program as a faculty advisor, member of the curriculum development committee, and member of the admissions committee. Committed to teaching excellence and regularly worked with the Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence and Educational Innovation on strategies to elevate diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in the classroom.

Interlochen, Mi

Promoted in 2015 to a newly-created leadership role and division to design and oversee institutional engagement initiatives on campus, off campus, and virtually. Crafted a strategic engagement plan designed to cultivate, activate, and deepen relationships with alumni, parents, and friends of the institution across the United States. Developed a national ambassador program in seven key cities, expanded the charter and constituent make-up of the Alumni Council into the Engagement Council, mobilized a campus-wide team to track and measure stakeholder engagement through events, and served as a liaison between the institution and regional community entities. Continued to oversee the College of Creative Arts until an administrative restructure was completed in the fall of 2017. Managed a team of five and more than 25 highly-engaged volunteers.

Interlochen, Michigan, United States

Directed the institution's continuing education division and designed and led the strategy to expand its programs in music, visual arts, creative writing, media, and professional development for adult learners. Recruited and hired more than 125 contract faculty and guest artists from across the United States. Led rebranding of the College and set a new marketing strategy to reach local, regional, and national audiences. Significantly increased overall program activity to achieve a 202% increase in attendee enrollment and a 53% increase in program revenue in two years.

East Lansing, Michigan, United States

Designed and taught Introduction to Arts and Cultural Management to first year MA candidates in the College of Arts and Letters. Visiting appointment held while serving as the Director of the College of Creative Arts for Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Lansing, Michigan Area

Recruited to serve as the chief executive of the organization working alongside a 21-member board of directors. Cultivated strategic local, regional, and statewide municipal and business partnerships to meet cultural needs, raise funds, and deliver direct programs and services to 140 arts and cultural agencies and 200 artists in three counties. Oversaw the administration of state, county, and city-funded grant programs and established three new endowment-funded grant programs for artists and arts and cultural organizations. Led the creation and implementation of Michigan's first-ever regional cultural economic development plan "ArtWorks: A Collaborative Cultural Economic Development Plan for Greater Lansing" alongside area stakeholders and local and state government leaders. Spearheaded regional marketing and arts advocacy efforts on behalf of the arts and cultural community. Sold $1.2M agency-owned real estate asset to establish an arts endowment and created a separate arts investment fund from a sizable bequest to design and deliver three new grant programs for artists, creative practioners, and arts organizations from investment proceeds. Coordinated Silver Bells in the City from 2005-2010, downtown Lansing's largest one-night festival, State tree lighting, and electric light parade; achieved 20% increase in fundraising revenue and grew attendance from 80,000 to 150,000.

East Lansing, Michigan, United States

Designed and taught Color and Design foundations course to undergraduate art students in the College of Arts and Letters. Visiting appointment held while serving as the Executive Director of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing.

East Lansing, Michigan, United States

Led the planning, marketing, fundraising, and operations of the East Lansing Art Festival as its Director from 2001-2005. Elevated the Art Festival's status to 29th Best Art Festival in the United States as determined by Sunshine Artist Magazine. Launched the festival's first-ever Emerging Artist Program to foster and promote emerging talent. Created and directed (SCENE) Metrospace, a city-owned creative placemaking initiative aimed at presenting cutting-edge programming to attract visitors to downtown East Lansing. Recognized as a best practice model for creative placemaking as a part of Governor Jennifer Granholm's Cool Cities Initiative. Served the East Lansing community and city leadership as an advisor on arts and cultural economic development matters.

East Lansing, Michigan, United States

Conceptualized, designed, and operated an alternative art space in downtown East Lansing. Served as one of three artistic partners to organize and curate local, regional, and national contemporary art exhibitions and performances. Received local, statewide, and national recognition for exhibitions.

East Lansing, Michigan, United States

Developed and managed 400 community classes in dance, visual arts, music, theater, and yoga for youth to adults. Coordinated public arts events to engage the community in the fine arts program, including a collaboration with the National Folk Festival and Michigan State University on a community-wide fiber arts open house.

Master Of Fine Arts (Mfa), Painting / Printmaking

Graduated with honors. Conducted additional coursework at Brown University, Multimedia and Electronic Music Experiments Program

Bachelor Of Fine Arts (Bfa), Studio Art / Painting

Recipient of the Ralf Henricksen Award, the Liquitex Artist-in-Excellence Award, the Distinguished Recognition Award in Painting.