Donna Murray-Brown is the inaugural Vice President of Strategy and Development of the National Council of Nonprofits. In her new role, Donna will lead the growth of NCN's core resources through practical and impactful strategic initiatives that integrate the knowledge, policy, and advocacy competencies and support the network in advancing those strategic initiatives.

Donna can trace her introduction to the nonprofit sector twenty-five years ago while serving on the United Way for Southeastern Michigan's advisory board. After transitioning from a 20+ year banking career serving in various senior management roles, including the vice president and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) director for Charter One Bank, she officially began her career in the nonprofit sector in 2009. Initially, she led the work of the Metro Detroit Partnership Office for Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA), a statewide membership organization serving nonprofits by providing a range of services, including advocacy, training, technology services, and civic engagement initiatives.

In 2013, Donna was named president and CEO of the MNA. During her tenure at MNA, she is credited for being a bold and inclusive leader who created space for groundbreaking nonprofit initiatives, including a Census 2020 Michigan complete count initiative, COVID-19 mitigation programs and strategies for nonprofits, and promoting strategies to support nonprofit leaders of color.

Twice honored as a NonProfit Times Power and Influence Top 50 leader in the nonprofit sector, Murray-Brown was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business in 2021 as one of the Most Influential Women in Michigan. She was also recognized as a 2024 Social Impact Woman to Watch by Nonprofit HR. She serves on the Board of Trustees for Candid, the McGregor Fund, and Housing Partnership, Inc., and as part of the Leadership Council for the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University.

She is a first-generation college graduate earning a master's degree in Community Development from the University of Detroit Mercy and a BS in Business Administration from Central State University. She also holds certifications in corporate community affairs from Boston College and strategic perspectives in nonprofit management from Harvard Business School.

Donna is a mother to three adult children and loves to travel and be with family and friends.  She resides joyfully with her husband, Stan, in Louisville, Kentucky.