Curriculum Vitae           Download CV

Ann Donner has more than 20 years experience managing complex public/private projects and initiatives. During the course of her career, she has spearheaded $300 million dollars in successful city planning, public space usage and real estate projects; raised millions for various clients and organizations; and managed budgets of up to $8 million. Ms. Donner is particularly adept at creative problem solving and at building consensus among diverse interests in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.


Areas of Expertise

Nonprofit Administration

• Served as the executive director of two nonprofit organizations and as a consultant to nonprofits.
• Reversed deficits and diversified funding opportunities.
• Improved organizational performance; board and membership participation; and staff morale.
• Measurably increased organizational visibility and influence.
• Raised millions from private gifts, foundations, special events and government sources.
• Developed business plans and budgets.
• Led strategic planning efforts.
• Managed marketing and communications efforts.

Urban Planning

• Experience overseeing and facilitating public participation on major urban planning projects.
• Managed interdisciplinary teams of design, urban planning, environmental and transportation consultants for the development of new roadway designs and a pedestrian accessibility plan.
• Created a model for and facilitated consensus on complex public projects with multiple constituencies.

Public Policy

• Designed and organized over 100 public policy forums on transportation, infrastructure and community issues.
• Served as Commissioner on the Boston Employment Commission for four years.
• Played a key role in designing and implementing citywide employment, training and recruitment program for thousands of Boston residents.

Health Care

• Former director of program development for the largest hospice provider in Massachusetts.
• Designed, developed, and managed new patient care programs, including a palliative care consultation service in hospitals and long term care facilities; and an operations plan for 12-bed hospice residence.
• Board member of a statewide coalition on improving end-of-life care.

Real Estate Development/Project Management

• Experience securing public approvals including land transfers, licenses, zoning variances and design reviews.
• Provided oversight and management of $500,000 marketing effort.
• Spearheaded funding and public approvals for $2.7 million outdoor civic space completed on time and on budget.
• Led interdisciplinary teams of design professionals, urban planners, transportation consultants and construction managers.
• Handled comprehensive government and community relations efforts.

Employment History

Principal, Ann Donner Consulting, (1996-1998, 2004-Present)
A niche consulting firm providing interim management, project management and program development services to business, government and nonprofit clients.

• Interim Management Assignments:

Interim Executive Director, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Massachusetts Affiliate, June 2008 – October 2008.  Interim executive director of local affiliate of the national Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation.  Managed staff, supported board of directors, and provided strategic oversight of statewide policy, program and fundraising initiatives.

 Acting Administrative Director, The Executive Leadership Program for Educators at Harvard Graduate School of Education, January – June, 2006. Served as the interim administrative director during the project’s start-up phase. Harvard was awarded a $5 million grant from The Wallace Foundation to create an innovative training opportunity for senior teams of state and district education leaders involving faculty from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard Business School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government 

Acting Senior Planner, Medical Academic Scientific Community Organization, Inc., January – May, 2008.  Served in interim role responsible for multiple transportation improvement studies and infrastructure improvements to Boston’s Longwood Medical and Academic Area.

Director of Planning and Program Development, Hospice of the North Shore, (2003-2004)largest hospice provider in Massachusetts.

Executive Director of the Trust for City Hall Plaza (1999-2003)
Led a collaboration between the business community and municipal, state and federal agencies to plan and implement improvements to the 11-acre Boston City Hall Plaza.

Executive Director of Move Massachusetts 2000 (1991-1995)
Directed the activities of diverse coalition of 46 labor, business, environmental and community-based proponents of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project.

Manager, Program Development, Forest City Development (1988-1991)
Managed marketing, communications, public approvals and community relations for a $250 million, 2.3 million square foot, mixed-use real estate project.

City of Boston (1984-1988)
Served in a variety of roles with increasing responsibility—from staffing and managing the schedule of the Mayor of Boston to senior official in the Mayor’s Office of Jobs and Community Services.


Awards

WalkBoston Golden Shoe Award on behalf of Move Massachusetts 2000 for Central Artery/Tunnel Pedestrian Issues Forum – 1996

Willo von Moltke Urban Design Award, Boston Society of Architects for the Rutherford Avenue Corridor Transportation Study as member of Frederic R. Harris Team. Client: Boston Transportation Department - 1999

Build Massachusetts Award, Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts, on behalf of the Trust for City Hall Plaza Community Arcade – 2001


Professional and Community Leadership

Commissioner, Boston Employment Commission, 1991- 1996

Chair, Midtown Cultural District Child Care Committee, 1988 – 1989