Daniel O. Ash

Senior executive position with broad brand management oversight. Direct responsibility for developing, overseeing and implementing civic engagement programming, content marketing, and public and government relations’ strategies that advance the Trust's mission to lead and inspire philanthropic efforts that measurably improve the quality of life and the prosperity of the Chicago region. Recent accomplishments in this role include: On The Table 2014 & 2015 – Developed and led, the Trust’s major initiative to create a public dialogue around issues that matter. In 2014 and 2015—the first two years of the initiative—more than 40,000 Chicago area residents gathered in small groups, from living rooms to conference rooms, on a single day to discuss how residents and leaders can improve the health and quality of every community. This effort sparked a redesign of the Trust’s own strategic plan. Trust brand positioning and visual identity – Led the recreation a new logo for the Trust. The Trust’s new brand helped to enhance and improve regional awareness, understanding, and perception of the Trust, especially among donors and nonprofit organizations. The brand positioning effort resulted in an overall strategic shift and focus. This effort occurred over an18-month period. cct.org – The Trust’s new website is now a prominent channel for the Trust’s brand. It shifted from a static, infrequently used website, to a vibrant hub, featuring the stories of Trust donors, grantees, and partners. Audience has grown over 400% since May 2015 launch.

Senior executive position with oversight of primary revenue streams, audience development and services, and key strategic initiatives. Direct accountability for individual giving revenue ($9M annually), corporate sponsorship ($5M annually), in addition to core marketing and communications and audience engagement functions. Supervised six direct reports in a department with 22 employees. Accomplishments: Increased annual corporate sponsorship revenue by nearly 50% from 2009 to 2011 Developed and launched “High Fidelity,” a monthly giving program that transformed WBEZ’s individual giving program. Fifty percent of annual membership revenue results from the program, and the cost of fundraising dropped by over 30 percent. Participated in all stages of Chicago Public Media’s strategic planning process, which included lead role in brand repositioning initiative for WBEZ. Created of the OFF-AIR series, Chicago Public Media’s monthly event programing that featured a diverse, often-sold-out opportunities for audience to interact with the radio station. Directly assisted CEO in supporting revenue, distribution, event management, and brand management of CPM’s national productions: This American Life, Sound Opinions, and Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me (co-produced with NPR).

Senior brand management and marketing position with direct responsibility for external affairs, including special event planning, donor communication (i.e., direct mail solicitations, annual reports, speech writing, and program updates).

Senior management position responsible for cause marketing, development, and media relations for the division with an annual budget exceeding $50 million. Served as direct liaison to Mayor’s Office of Communications.

Senior management position responsible for external affairs and brand management. The Center was founded in 1995 as part of the Ford Foundation’s Strengthening Fragile Families Initiative.