Focused on advancing mission-centric organizations devoted to community and economic development

Mary Lou’s career began in large nonprofit fundraising departments where she learned that successful organizations are built on: 1) a compelling vision, 2) trust in leadership, and 3) clear plans. These elements motivate teams and compel donors to invest.

In 1997, when she started her consulting firm, she designed services around these three essential building blocks. Since then Mary Lou has worked with over 125 clients throughout New England, by entering into strategic partnerships with leaders to address systems improvement and change. 

Her clients range in size from start-ups to established colleges and national organizations that represent a wide-array of sectors — the arts, education, environment, economic development, healthcare, and social services. She works with clients who are ready to enter a growth phase and are looking for a strong partner to bring together their teams and ideas.

I worked with Mary Lou on developing a climate change education network. She was able to keep a group of strong leaders focused on a very complicated topic. She took us through big questions and helped us stay on target and on time. The Collaborative grew from a 13 member New Hampshire-based start-up to a 70 member New England-based initiative. Our members’ individual aspirations had to be meshed into a common purpose and set of strategic goals which was by no means an easy task. But remarkably, as the network coordinator and meeting facilitator, Mary Lou made it seem easy.

John Anderson
New England Aquarium

Continuous improvement, best practices, effective organizations

CAREER

MLK & Company was founded in 1997 and has now worked with over 125 organizations and small businesses. Prior to starting her consulting firm Mary Lou held fundraising positions as Director of Development at The White Mountain School, Capital Campaign Coordinator for Littleton Regional Hospital, and Director of the Leadership Donor Program at WGBH — Boston’s flagship public television and radio station. In these positions Mary Lou honed her skills in major gift and capital campaign planning.  From these experiences she built MLK & Company's portfolio of services -- all of which strengthen organizations and position them for success.

TRAINING

Mary Lou attended Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin where she earned a B.A. in Economics. Her academic interests to this day revolve around the wise use of and the distribution of resources — the intersection of natural resources, wealth, human capital, and public policy. In 2007 she was awarded the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) qualification — one of only 21 certifications in New Hampshire. (CFRE International grants this credential to experienced fundraising professionals based on their ethics, competence, and community service.)

VOLUNTEERISM

Mary Lou’s volunteer resume is extensive and reflects the best practices of nonprofit governance which she has learned throughout her career. As a volunteer she has been active in her children’s various schools, a variety of professional fundraising organizations, and participated on nonprofit boards improving community-based health care delivery, promoting the arts, and addressing energy, land use, and conservation issues. She also serves as the Town Moderator in Bethlehem, New Hampshire.