“John and I worked together in public health on policy, systems, and environmental change efforts (i.e., bike lanes, smoke-free policies, nutritious food access). He's fun to work with and has a competitive edge that drives teams to be and do more. He's a passionate advocate for his community and Louisiana in general. It's been a joy over the years to watch him engage in disaster response, recovery, and fundraising to make measurable and meaningful impacts in the lives of the most vulnerable members of his community.”
John O'Donnell
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
2K followers
500+ connections
About
As CEO of Shield and Castle Consulting, I lead an obsessively mission focused team…
Contributions
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Here's how you can fulfill the key responsibilities of a Nonprofit Leader.
Fundraising has changed a lot in the post-COVID social sector. In the past we were able to rely on certain funders or philanthropic individuals to annually support the same organizations. It built a security and predictability in our budgets. Post COVID we're finding that donors and funders care more about the causes they're supporting, rather than the organization or its brand. This makes being "mission forward" as an organization not just the right thing to do, but paramount for sustainability. Creating strong relationships with donors who are passionate about the problems that your team solves, involving them in that work, and (not or) robustly documenting that work using new media will dictate success in funding in this new environment.
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Here's how you can fulfill the key responsibilities of a Nonprofit Leader.
I think that the most important aspect of strategic planning in non-profit is the diverse inclusion of the people involved in the plans creation. It's extremely important to have community stakeholders, funders, and the staff charged with executing the plan all involved in the planning process. If you're creating a plan whose success depends on the ability to keep the plan funded, create impact, and get executed in an efficient and equitable way, then the people at each of those levels need to be intimately involved in the creation of that plan.
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Here's how you can fulfill the key responsibilities of a Nonprofit Leader.
Crafting a vision is a science. Articulating a vision is an art form. As a non-profit leader you have to walk both. Crafting vision and mission requires the experience and data to be able to make a plan that not only moves the needle, but is also realistic in execution and funding. However, you can have an amazing vision on paper but it will stay on paper if you can't communicate, articulate and more importantly relate it to your team and stakeholders. That's the art part: Your visions success is dependent on your ability to not just explain it, but explain it in a way that relates it to the personal experience of your audience. That's not possible in a single all staff meeting. It requires time, patience, and lots of relationship building.
Activity
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Can’t wait to dive into this new report on women giving trends. A quick scan shows an increase in size of gifts from single women compared to single…
Can’t wait to dive into this new report on women giving trends. A quick scan shows an increase in size of gifts from single women compared to single…
Liked by John O'Donnell
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The Texas Medical Center is evolving its plans for the BioPort manufacturing campus, shifting focus from acquiring land to exploring existing…
The Texas Medical Center is evolving its plans for the BioPort manufacturing campus, shifting focus from acquiring land to exploring existing…
Liked by John O'Donnell
Experience
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Shield and Castle Consulting
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Education
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McNeese State University
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Activities and Societies: Student Government Director of External Affairs and Senator. President and Founder of Blue and Gold Goes Green (2009 Recyclemania National Champions). Vice President of the Academic Forum. President and Founder of The McNeese Chess Club.
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Volunteer Experience
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Race Director/President of Board of Directors
Lake Area Runners
- Present 11 years 9 months
Health
Lake Area Runners is a non-profit organization who's mission is to promote health and fitness in Southwest Louisiana through the sport of running. The organization hosts 10-15 running races a year varying in distance from 1 mile to 13.1 miles (Half Marathon Distance) and raises money for area track teams and running clubs. As race director, former President, and now member of the board of directors my job is to help organize and promote events, liaise with businesses and organizations to help…
Lake Area Runners is a non-profit organization who's mission is to promote health and fitness in Southwest Louisiana through the sport of running. The organization hosts 10-15 running races a year varying in distance from 1 mile to 13.1 miles (Half Marathon Distance) and raises money for area track teams and running clubs. As race director, former President, and now member of the board of directors my job is to help organize and promote events, liaise with businesses and organizations to help fund raise, work with municipal and law enforcement organizations on logistics and planning, facilitate decisions as a board, and much more.
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St. Jude Hero
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Present 10 years
Children
As a St. Jude Hero I hosted fundraising events, approached area businesses, individuals and organizations, and ran races to raise money and awareness for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In 2015 I raised over $7,000 for St Jude using social media, social networking and grass roots marketing.
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Member of Board of Directors
Imperial Calcasieu Museum
- Present 8 years 4 months
Arts and Culture
The Imperial Calcasieu Museum is the leading historical, cultural, and fine arts museum serving the Southwest Louisiana region who's mission is to encourage and support the visual arts and artists; enhance art awareness and appreciation by providing educational opportunities for the community; and to serve as a repository for objects unique to the culture of the old Imperial Calcasieu region.
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Member Board Of Directors
THE LITERACY COUNCIL OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA, INC.
- Present 8 years
Education
he Literacy Council provides programs for adults, children and families. Programs for adults include adult basic education, HiSET preparation, computer literacy, English as a second language, and workplace skills development. Programs for children include tutoring at partner sites, tutoring for middle and high school students at the Central School, and summer programs. Family programs include partnerships to support Early Literacy Foundations, Prime Time Family Reading Time®, Reach Out & Read…
he Literacy Council provides programs for adults, children and families. Programs for adults include adult basic education, HiSET preparation, computer literacy, English as a second language, and workplace skills development. Programs for children include tutoring at partner sites, tutoring for middle and high school students at the Central School, and summer programs. Family programs include partnerships to support Early Literacy Foundations, Prime Time Family Reading Time®, Reach Out & Read and Reading is Fundamental.
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Member Board Of Directors
THE VOLUNTEER CENTER OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA INC
- Present 8 years
Poverty Alleviation
The Volunteer Center of Southwest Louisiana was founded in 1987 as a project of the Junior League of Lake Charles. Since that time it has served as the central clearinghouse for volunteerism in our region. Under the leadership of Beverly S. McCormick since 1990, ServicePoint Southwest Louisiana, the Department of Housing and Urban Development mandated Homeless Management/Client Management Information System and HandsOn SWLA.
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Fundraising Volunteer Athlete
Smile Train
- Present 7 years 4 months
Health
Team EMPOWER gives athletes all around the world the opportunity to make their race count toward providing free cleft surgery and comprehensive care to children in need. Every step, every lap, and every mile means more than crossing the finish line — it means new smiles, new beginnings, and the opportunity for cleft children to live full and productive lives. In 2018 I will be competing in Ironman Texas, a triathlon featuring a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run to raise…
Team EMPOWER gives athletes all around the world the opportunity to make their race count toward providing free cleft surgery and comprehensive care to children in need. Every step, every lap, and every mile means more than crossing the finish line — it means new smiles, new beginnings, and the opportunity for cleft children to live full and productive lives. In 2018 I will be competing in Ironman Texas, a triathlon featuring a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run to raise money for Team Empower and Smile Train. My goal is to raise $3,000, or the cost of 10-12 surgeries to repair cleft pallets in children in the developing world. Help me achieve this goal by donating here: https://my.smiletrain.org/fundraiser/11899
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Board Member
Team Green/Keep Greater Lake Charles Beautiful
- Present 7 years 4 months
Environment
Keep Greater Lake Charles Beautiful-Team Green is a Mayor's Commission whose mission is to develop and sponsor projects which will enhance the appearance and quality of the environment in Southwest Louisiana. Keep Greater Lake Charles Beautiful-Team Green is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep Louisiana Beautiful and participates in the annual Great American Clean-up. The group is made up of citizens appointed by the mayor to serve on a voluntary basis.
Honors & Awards
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Visit Lake Charles Top 11 Instagram Accounts in Lake Charles
Lake Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau
From Visit Lake Charles: "We’ve got an awe-inspiring destination to explore here in Southwest Louisiana. Really, it’s remarkably photogenic! And not just for travelers – our locals are out and about taking in all the sights, sounds and flavors the area’s got to offer. Here are 11 of the best local Igers, aka Instagrammers, who you should be following. (In no particular order.) "
https://www.visitlakecharles.org/blog/post/11-best-instagram-accounts-in-lake-charles/ -
Chosen to be an Only Louisiana Ambassador
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
I was chosen to be an "Only Louisiana" Ambassador by the State of Louisiana to help promote our states culture, and natural beauty to those wishing to travel here.
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N Plus One Apparels March 2017 Athlete of the Month
N Plus One Apparel
I was selected as N Plus One Apparels Athlete of the Month for March 2017. I did a short interview with the company to talk about Louisiana, Triathlon and Life. You can see it here: http://nplusoneapparel.com/blog/john-odonnell-march-athlete-of-the-month/
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Thrive Magazine's 2017 Thriving Thirty Something's
Thrive Magazine
I was chosen to be one of Thrive Magazine's Thirteen Thriving Thirty Something's in 2017 for being an outstanding member of our community excelling and 'thriving' in my professional, personal and philanthropic endeavors. http://thriveswla.com/Images/Interior/30%20something/thriving30something2017_page.pdf
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SEED Center Business Pitch Competition
SEED Center
Winner of the Business Pitch Competition in the general business category.
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Commendation By The Lake Charles Police Department
Lake Charles Police Department
I was awarded a commendation by the City of Lake Charles Police Department "for the heroic assistance rendered by assisting the Lake Charles Police Department in apprehending a dangerous fleeing robbery suspect."
Languages
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English
Native or bilingual proficiency
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Spanish
Professional working proficiency
Recommendations received
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LinkedIn User
1 person has recommended John
Join now to viewMore activity by John
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I have exciting news!! “The Bride” has been accepted into an international juried exhibition: The Surreal Salon hosted by the Baton Rouge Gallery. ✨…
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Please stay safe and secure online this holiday season. Global Data Systems and I are well positioned to help you protect your employees, data, and…
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What an amazing time at the National Summit in Kansas City! So happy to meet with all the affiliates and learn together in workshops like 'Maximizing…
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Trust is critical to our work in philanthropy and the nonprofit world. Trust is hard to earn and easy to lose and even harder to rebuild. I’ve…
Trust is critical to our work in philanthropy and the nonprofit world. Trust is hard to earn and easy to lose and even harder to rebuild. I’ve…
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On the Gulf and East Coasts a major hurricane strike on your home, business, or community is not an 'if'—it's a 'when.' The 2024 hurricane season…
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Exactly one year ago, I proposed to Mayor Hunter the idea of Lake Charles becoming a “Louisiana Development Ready Community” (LDRC), an in-depth…
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