Lynn O’Connell is a philanthropy scholar, serial interim executive director, and a longtime evaluator for the Unfunded List. She is an adjunct professor of philanthropy and nonprofit management, an interim executive director of nonprofits, and a leader within the women’s giving circle called Together Women Rise. She joined Dave for a long, wide-ranging interview about philanthropy, academic capture, and being the first ED of a nonprofit after a founder. Enjoy!
More about Lynn (from the Docs in Progress website):
Lynn O’Connell has more than 25 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector, including 19 years as an executive director. Previously, she had served as executive director of Computer CORE. Following the founder there, she led the organization as it worked to fulfill its mission to help low-income adults acquire the technological and life skills needed to pursue career aspirations. Before coming to CORE, Lynn worked for more than a decade with healthcare foundations. Prior to entering the nonprofit sector, Lynn was a U.S. Foreign Service Officer for 12 years. She is a Fulbright Scholar.
Lynn holds an M.A. from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in Philanthropy. She also has an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. Her undergraduate degree is a B.A. in Communications and French from David Lipscomb University.
Lynn has served on many boards of directors over the years including Little Theatre of Alexandria, Adventure Theatre, Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association, and Empowered Women International. She is a past board chair of Volunteer Alexandria, Washington Literacy Council, and the Association of Women in Communications-DC Chapter. She has served two terms as a member of the Alexandria Commission of the Arts. Currently, she is board chair of Dining for Women, a national collective giving network committed to global gender equality. Her volunteer time is spent on her passions – the performing arts, and international issues.
