Covering the education beat: public, private and homeschooling. In addition, community features on business and nonprofit organizations. Occasional features on intriguing people

Helping nonprofits, public agencies, and civic organizations elevate their talent so they can get more money, get more people, and get more done.Creator of numerous innovative professional training modules:StrengthsCafePerfect PitchThe NIMBLE BoardEntrepreneur AcademyBoard CoachingAmong the most notable nonprofit, public and education agencies served:- United Way- Pennsylvania Department Of Education- Easter Seals- National Alliance of Mentally Ill- Alzheimer's Association- Penn State University- University of PittsburghMore at michaelbrand.org

Providing Strategic Thinking services (via the FASTstrategy mode)l to a select few of their clients in Colorado. As we open up from lockdowns, many nonprofits face a new and confusing environment. I will be guiding them on developing a nimble mindset to quickly take advantage of unexpected opportunities.

the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program is a powerful learning program designed to educate and engage participants in the fundamental aspects of an entrepreneurial mindset and the unlimited opportunities it can provide. Built for rigor and relevance, this highly interactive program enables participants to learn directly from the first-hand experience of successful, "unlikely" entrepreneurs. The overall objective is to empower learners by exposing them to entrepreneurial thinking while immersing them in real-world entrepreneurial experiences.

Guided 53 candidates through a nine-month process of building a profitable professional speakers business. Find Your Audience - Discover Your Voice, Your Tribe, Your Niche Powerful Narratives - The Art Of Storytelling Get Their Attention - Developing Your Pitch, Title And Tagline  Landing Initial Gigs - Getting Started With Marketing  The Message - Crafting Your Keynote or Presentation Own The Stage - Platform Skills  Diversify - Developing Products And Multiple Income Streams  New Heights - Growing Once You’ve Laid The Foundation 39 of 53 had secured paid speakeking gigs before the Academy graduation.

Engineered turnaround of venerable 110-year-old business association.- Increased dues-paying membership from 274 to 322- Eliminated over $20k in debt and cleared off 9 months of back taxes.- Added additional value to membership by launching several innovative programs:- Generated over $33,000 in new grant funding.- Increased sponsorship dollars from $8000 to $12000 annually - Reduced overhead by 13%- Restructured staffing to reduce payroll costs while maintaining all previous operations.- Using event analysis tools, eliminated unproductive fundraising events.- instituted new branding strategy.

Executive coaching utilizing strengths-based analysis. Faculty of Rising Leaders Program (professional under-30 leadership development). Providing governance and strategic advisory services to board of $8 million minority based early education program.

Co-founder of the Transformational Leadership Series which created forum for LCC alumni to showcase their specific talents in forums for local nonprofit leaders. In board leadership, fiscal sustainability, strengths-based leadership. Developed and delivered skill sessions for alumni on various management and leadership topics relating to service as a nonprofit board member

Program Officer:Co-administered $1 million grantmaking initiative designed to build organizational leadership capacity in area nonprofits. Team member in developing overall strategy for the initiative. With another program officer, conducted full-scale organization analysis on 91 nonprofits, designed grant application and evaluation criteria. Coordinated grant review panels comprised of community, business and nonprofit experts. Partnered with other program officers to seamlessly manage multiple grants to the same organization; administered grant contracts and reports; Served as technical advisor to grantees. Developed long term strategic Senior Project Specialist: Created Leadership Circle, an exclusive, invitation-based initiative to bring small circles of Executive Directors together on a monthly basis to foster connection and collaboration. Created several curricula for Board Leadership and Nonprofit Management. Oversaw the development of distance learning products (webinars, screencasts, online courses) as well as providing Executive Coaching for nonprofit managers. Executed strategy to expand the reach of the Partnership initially across NW Pennsylvania.Director Of Leadership Development: Expanded and institutionalized Leadership Circle. Lead Organizer of NW PA Nonprofit Day, an annual conference bringing together 400 attendees, 26 vendors, nationally noted keynote speakers as well as regional experts in nonprofit management. Forged strategic partnership with local, regional, and national organizations in laying the foundation for a Social Innovation Institute

Providing training/coaching services on an 'as needed' basis to faculty and staff of Penn State. Developed and delivered content on range of leadership issues.

Full contractor for Pennsylvania Department of Education as well as Pennsylvania Department OF Public Welfare. Created 'First Monday', a monthly webinar series for nonprofit and public leaders across the state. Forward thinking topics such as: 'Creating A Culture Of Innovation', 'What A TRUE Sustainability Plan Looks Like', 'Building The Better Board'. Conducted multi-layered program evaluation for the state: compiled, analyzed and presented important data on county-based family and child programs. Advised 21 county based collaborative boards on eliminating funding silos between education, justice, human service organizations.

Staffed $1 million capital campaign in conjunction with contracted consultant. Consolidated fundraising and volunteer departments to reduce overhead. Reconfigured fund office to institute best practices which increased annual giving from $50,000 to $190,000. Handled all media relations, developed all public information/education materials and liaison functions with local government. Supervised 1.5 staff. Integral part of senior management team which guided organization to successful merger with larger health care system.

Provided strategic development consultation to several nascent refugee groups in the Czech and Slovaks Republics.

Provided research support on project analyzing 'Goal Deflection' in Nongovernmental Organisations. Scheduled research interviews, compiled data, authored narratives on select portions of research