Meet Former Intern - Paige Vanzo

Meet Paige Vanzo

I went from intern to staff member at MBT where I worked as Marketing Communications Coordinator for five years. I collaborated on a number of things from promotions, to grants to fundraising events which deepened my interest in nonprofit management and fundraising and storytelling. I took a job as Manager of Special Events and Donor Relations at Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Foundation. PVM works so hard for Michigan's seniors, and I was there (and loved it!) for two years. While working on staff at MBT and at PVMF I had the privilege of spending my evenings and weekends doing what I loved--working with local theater companies all over Detroit and having the opportunity to spend a good deal of time writing, acting, directing and doing tons of improv.

My life changed significantly when in 2018… 1). My daughter, Dylan was born and 2). My mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer (just days after D. was born). It became clear that I would head back home to Indiana to enjoy whatever time my family and I could with my Mom. I was delighted to join the Ascension St. Vincent Foundation team in Indianapolis as their new Donor Stewardship and Annual Giving Officer. Part of that time was spent working with amazing families who were getting their care from Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, St. Vincent's wonderful oncologists, cardiologists and others. Being able to tell those powerful stories to donors who wanted to help was so impactful and something I'll celebrate being a part of every day.
Outside of work, I spent those two years driving back and forth across the state to spend time with mom and/or to make it to medical appointments with her. Mom passed away from complications due to her cancer on March 14, 2020 (just before the COVID lockdown started).

In November 2020 I had the wonderful opportunity to join on as Development Director at Sheltering Wings, a domestic violence shelter and service provider located in Danville, Indiana (just outside of Indianapolis). I'm leading fundraising efforts, I oversee communications and our volunteer program and a small but mighty team of wonderful folks who want to celebrate our donors, volunteers and this wonderful community for the heroes they are!

When I tell people about my professional background they are always a little surprised to hear that Theatre has played such a huge part. I'm so thankful for the wonderful people I met during my internship, while on staff and the amazing amount of knowledge about various (sometimes random) things Theatre has given me. I'm hoping to get back to performing/directing/writing as I regain some bandwidth on the other side of grief, the baby/toddler stage and of course COVID.

P.S. I would also like provide this link http://freedomideserve.com/ which is a resource page developed by our Shelter to equip everyone to help anyone in an abusive situation. You likely know someone in an abusive relationship. If they came to you for help, would you know what to say? Take a look at the page, bookmark it, or share it with anyone who may need it.