SUSAN PUTNAM

989-430-8552 | susan.putnam1526@gmail.com | www.linkedin.com/in/susan-putnam

NONPROFIT DIRECTOR
An award-winning, innovative community relations professional with an MBA and a versatile background in
both the nonprofit and corporate worlds. Extensive fund development and community investment skills that
generate revenues and enable the leveraging of resources that change lives for individuals, organizations and
communities. A relationship builder with a big picture view able to add value by collaborating with others to
solve community problems. Accomplished in volunteer and employee engagement, program operations,
board development, public speaking, marketing and much more.

SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

Nonprofit Management Public Speaking Community Relations Communications

Fundraising Event Planning Government Relations Public Relations
Board Relations Team Leadership Grant Management Community Outreach
Program Management Marketing Corporate Relations Issue Management
Corporate Philanthropy Strategic Planning Operations Management Volunteer Management

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Strategic Growth -- Grew Big Brothers Big Sisters revenues by 160% between 2006 and 2016,
allowing the agency to triple the number of children served.
Leadership -- Won United Way of Midland Countys Strosacker Award for agency and community
leadership while at Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Fund Development -- Led United Way of Midland Countys annual campaign during first year to a
record breaking year and launched the first online corporate giving tool to 10,000 employees.
Advocacy -- Represented IBM to the Minneapolis/St. Paul community and forged partnerships with
nonprofits to enhance the companys corporate image through philanthropic donations of technology.
Led IBM to winning the Quality of Life Award from the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce.

EXPERIENCE

Memorial Presbyterian Church 2017 - present

Volunteer Consultant

Serve as member of Growing Leaders 2020 work group, designing a strengths-based leadership program to
identify, recruit and train members of the congregation who will lead our church into the future.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region, 2006 2016
President and CEO

Hired to reinvigorate agency programs, eliminate budget deficit, and increase visibility in order to broaden
agency impact. Established aggressive grant writing initiative and community outreach campaign.

Eliminated budget deficit within six months through successful grant applications and expanded donor
relationships. Nurtured a culture of philanthropy among staff and Board.
Increased volunteer inquiries by 20% through an extensive community speaking schedule.
Created the third largest Big Brothers Big Sisters agency in the state of Michigan by spearheading two
mergers during 10 years allowing the agency to triple the number of children served.
During tenure received national recognition for Gold Standard performance putting agency in the top 10
in the nation; Board of Directors recognized as Board of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of
America.
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United Way of Midland County, Midland, MI, 2002 - 2006

Campaign Director

Recruited to become first Campaign Director of United Way of Midland County and launch new corporate
online donation program.

Lead the strategy and implementation of United Ways annual $4+ million campaign and led campaign
to a record level in first year on the job through development of strong relationships with top executives
at large corporations as well as small businesses.
Trained and managed more than 100 campaign volunteers.
Led the project team which successfully implemented first online giving technology tool, eWay, at the
communitys largest employer with more than 10,000 employees.

IBM Corporation
Regional Manager, Community Relations and Public Affairs, Minneapolis, MN, 1994-2002

Promoted to become IBMs representative to the Minneapolis/St. Paul community including management of
local government relations efforts, corporate philanthropy programs, volunteerism and community involvement
in order to enhance external relationships and IBMs image in the community.

Forged community partnerships with nonprofits to enhance job training opportunities and workforce
development in the Twin Cities with focus on technology and youth development.
Increased employee community involvement and volunteerism by 40% in three years and invested IBM
contributions in multiple Midwestern cities, advising local IBM executives concerning community
priorities and managing a $500,000 contributions budget
Led IBMs annual Employee Charitable Contribution Campaign for the Midwest regions 20,000
employees.

EDUCATION

MBA, Business Economics and Public Policy, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
BBA, International Affairs, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
Associates Degree, Delta College, University Center, MI
Harvard University, IBM Presidents Class (3-week intensive executive course taught in Armonk, NY)
IBM Middle Management School, Armonk, New York
Executive Television Workshop, Washington, DC
United Way of America, management training, Fairfax, VA

AW ARDS AND AFFILIATIONS

Strosacker Award from United Way of Midland County for BBBS and community leadership, 2013
Gold Standard Award, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, 2007 and 2008
Agency Board of the Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, 2008
Quality of Life Award from Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce for IBMs corporate community
leadership, 2001
Great Lakes Bay Regional Leadership Institute, class of 35 leaders from 4-county region, 2013
Midland County Career and College Access Network, Leadership Team, 2013 - 2016
Midland County Historical Society, Board member and committee chair, 2005 2009
Leadership Midland Class of 2003
Zonta Club of Midland, member and former officer, 2003 present