At the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum in Boston, Amanda D. McMullen was inspired by more than the art. Susan Courtmanche, her supervisor, gave her advice that she puts into play still.
“She told me to choose your organization wisely. If the mission does not give you goose bumps, pass on the opportunity.” From those words, McMullen said she learned to align herself “only with the organizations that provide me with a deep personal satisfaction.”
These professional standards have buoyed each new success and led her to her current role as senior director of external relations at Meeting Street, a pioneering education facility following a series of triumphs along the way.
From director of leadership gifts at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay to corporate sponsorship director at the Smithsonian Institution, she continually surpassed fundraising goals, increased gift-giving, amped up memberships and developed innovative approaches to fund development that elevated financial results.
In 2002, McMullen came on board at Meeting Street as assistant director of development. Immediately she delved into the Meeting Street Annual Telethon, a funding program that had been on hiatus for four years. The re-launch helped the event grow from the traditional call-in and recognition telethon to a beloved community and signature event with advanced sponsor sales. The numbers reveal a stark truth: the financial success of the telethon increased 805 percent, or from $9,000 to $80,000, thanks to McMullen.
Now, as a member of Meeting Street’s leadership team, McMullen oversees the communications strategy, donor-relations efforts and new business- development opportunities. She helps determine all agency-wide strategic and operational decisions, and oversees fund development, financial aid and admissions. Responsible for ensuring effective agency positioning, her efforts have increased enrollment, fundraising and new business. •
