Michael Donnelly

Meet Michael

Experience Design Strategist

Events (Live & Virtual)•Digital Marketing•Branding•Business Development •Speaker

*Pictured, Michael delivering the Keynote Speech at the OnBrand Summit 2019.

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Michael has consistently provided the highest caliber of attention under conditions that can only be described as controlled chaos. The connections she enables move business and commerce to a socialized level that I have not seen to date. She ensures that every client, customer, and or event attendee knows they are valued. I am positive that working with her has done nothing but raise my personal standards as well.
— Laura Gay, Division SM, EBQ
 

ABOUT MICHAEL

 

Michael Donnelly has been planning memorable experiences since her 7th birthday party at Leaps n' Bounds. While consulting for clients nationally on marketing initiatives, sales, sponsorship, events, operational strategy, and increasing revenue; or as Founder of FWD (For Women & Diversity) Collective, a national movement hosting professional development programming featuring women and under-represented individuals for the experts that we are rather than the boxes we check, she carries the same tenacity as her 7y/o self, leading with the idea that "business gets done when people have fun.”

Michael has worked with DHL, Intel, the American Marketing Association, Verizon, Walker Sands, and a number of SMB's and start-ups on projects ranging from shaking up the way 'things have always been done' to figuring out how to rev up sales or launch a new concept to bring more dollars in the door. And, she has been the force behind building, producing, and expanding the Midwest's most popular large-scale tech and business events including Techweek and FUND Conference. Her vibrant personality shines through in constructing creative experiences and campaigns for clients, as well as in her time on camera with Entrepreneur.com where she created content and reported live at national events.

Michael lives in Chicago with her pup Lux, loves to standup paddle board, serves on a few local boards, and is all about the #scrappytosavvy life.

BUT, what is “Experience Design” — Experience design or XD is the practice of designing processes, services, events, omni-channel journeys, products, and environments with a focus placed on the quality of the user experience and culturally relevant solutions. Michael’s expertise is marrying marketing, business development, operations, and in real life experiences/events to create meaningful impact for a company's brand and bottom line. 


 
 
Michael delivering the Keynote at OnBrand Omaha 2019 representing Elevate.

Michael delivering the Keynote at OnBrand Omaha 2019 representing Elevate.

 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

 
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Events:

Planning & consulting on in-Person & Virtual - OR Hire MiChael to Speak, HosT, OR EmCee

 

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Branding:

What’s Your story & How does it Connect you with your audience

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Business Development:

Innovative & Profitable Strategies that lead to rapid growth

 

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Digital Marketing:

Creative Authentic CAMPAIGNS to grow your audience & create connection

Michael Donnelly is a fearless, creative, energetic and leadership oriented problem solver of whom I have enormous respect. Any organization seeks to find people who have the ability to pull factions together for the greater whole and work beyond a specific job area or silo - who recognizes and builds towards the greater good. Michael is such a person.
— Bill Bell, SVP Fox Associates
 

EXPERIENCE

See: Experience Overview Page linked here for a few work and client highlights.

 

*Logo’s above are few original concepts, consulting clients, partners, and brands Michael has worked with.

EDUCATION

 
 
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University of Phoenix 2015

mba with a Concentration in marketing

 

 
 

University of colorado at boulder 2009

ba communication with honors, cum laude

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University of newcastle Australia 2008

semester studying abroad