Debbie McKeon
Partner and Senior Advisor, Strategic Partnerships
Williamsburg, Michigan, United States
I'm a seasoned C-suite executive with a proven record of leading transformational change, strategy & business development while delivering high value in philanthropy and the NPO sectors. As the founder of McKeon & Associates Inc., I’ve worked on six continents to drive impactful results.
Preferred Type of Position/Role
Project Specific
Primary Area of Expertise
Philanthropy & Nonprofit & NGO, Organizational & Corporate Strategy, Change Management, Organizational & Corporate Strategy
Years of Professional Experience
40 Years
About
Debbie contributes her expertise, experience and learnings from decades in nonprofit and philanthropy leadership and small business and nonprofit development to Kind Capital’s mission achievement. Debbie’s deep commitment to equity, cross-sector partnerships and activating catalytic capital has resulted in a track record of successful equity-centered initiatives, innovative philanthropic strategies, impact investing field-building, and systems-level change. Debbie nurtures Kind Capital’s strategic partnerships and the conditions to co-develop scalable, sustainable impact with equity-centered, systematic, integrated solutions across multiple stakeholders: community, public, private and philanthropy that leverage the full spectrum of impact investing tools. Debbie was CEO of San Diego Grantmakers, of Philanthropy California; COO of the Council of Michigan Foundations; founding Executive Director of NorthSky Nonprofit Network; founding board member and Managing Director of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas (20 countries of the Americas); and founder and small business owner of McKeon & Associates, Inc.(M&A) that provided executive management and consulting services on six continents, and building international public-private partnerships. Debbie received a Bachelor of Music, Central MI University; League of American Orchestras Management Fellowship; Small Business Counselor Certification Grand Valley State University; and certifications in governance, strategic restructuring, community philanthropy, fundraising, & healing circle facilitation.
Experience
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Founder & CEOKind Capital · ContractDec 2020 – Present · 4 yrs 1 moKind Capital’s mission is to drive positive impact on a billion vulnerable lives—prudently, conscientiously, sustainably and profitably. I support partnerships and shared services development, contributing to an equity-centered social impact mission leveraging impact investing tools across stakeholders. |
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Retired, Nonprofit and Philanthropy CEOOct 2020 – Dec 2020 · 3 mosConcluded a nearly 40-year career spanning nonprofit leadership and impact philanthropy across six continents. Retired from San Diego Grantmakers (SDG), where I catalyzed equity-centered solutions, and left behind a legacy of trust, collaboration, and justice-driven impact. |
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President & CEOSan Diego GrantmakersApr 2019 – Oct 2020 · 1 yr 7 mos · Greater San Diego AreaLed SDG’s equity-driven transformation, expanded into Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, and launched collaborative initiatives like the ImPower Initiative, Small Business Relief Funds, and regional impact investing platforms. |
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Executive Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerCouncil of Michigan FoundationsSep 2018 – Apr 2019 · 8 mos · MichiganDirected strategic framework execution and operations alignment; advanced equity and impact investing; guided public policy; and built member value for 300+ philanthropy organizations across Michigan. |
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Senior Vice President Member ServicesCouncil of Michigan FoundationsDec 2012 – Aug 2018 · 5 yrs 9 mos · MichiganLed organizational transformation and strategy implementation focused on equity, innovation, and impact. Scaled DEI initiatives, strengthened data-informed decision-making, and led civic and community-based collaborations in education, clean energy, and economic development. |
Education
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Central Michigan UniversityBachelor of Music1977 – 1981 |
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League of American OrchestrasBA, Orchestra Management Fellowship1982 – 1983Residencies with New York Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony, and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestras. |
Licenses & Certifications
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Business Development CounselorGrand Valley State University, Small Business & Technology Development Center |
