Communications & Marketing Manager
Mary Stillwell Power (she/her) is the Communications and Marketing Manager at BELONG Partners. In that role she project manages and implements the organization’s communications and marketing plan to drive program attendance, engage school and organizational partnerships, attract and engage donors and funders, and support a positive and transparent workplace culture.
Mary had a previous career in libraries – including working for public and corporate libraries, the State Library of Washington, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She also had her own consulting business for nonprofits and libraries, conducting training on public access computing and various software and technology tools. After her daughter was born, she was a stay-at-home mom for a while, volunteering on the board of co-op preschool and later becoming an over-committed PTA volunteer. She became interested in parent support and was the Program Director for PEPS (The Program for Early Parent Support) for six years. During her years at PEPS, Mary became very interested in brain development in children, the impact of trauma on development, and support for children and families in overcoming the impacts of ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences). Joining BELONG Partners in 2017 has given her the opportunity to learn so much and contribute to an organization that makes an incredible difference for so many parents, educators, and children.
Mary grew up moving up and down the east coast and received her BA from the University of Central Florida. She has an MLIS (Master of Library & Information Science) from the University of Pittsburgh.
What was your proudest moment?
Being accepted to graduate school, and any time I get to watch my daughter perform on stage.
What are people most surprised to learn about you?
I had my own consulting business and spent a fair amount of time traveling and working in the Arctic. I spent two months in Alaska, based out of Anchorage and Kotzebue, traveling by seaplanes and snowmobiles to remote villages, in order to help libraries get connected to the internet and develop their public access computing policies. I did the same kind of work in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada.
What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Read and recommend books (once a Librarian…), travel, see every musical theatre production in town, and spend time with my daughter, Miranda, and our dog, Ramona.
Why are you passionate about BELONG Partners?
I was originally attracted to BELONG Partners because I wanted to support children and families impacted by ACES. I soon learned there is so much important work to be done in the intersection between parenting, our education system, trauma-informed practices, social-emotional learning, and racial equity. Personally, working here has been a game-changer for me. I better understand my own family and experiences, and approach everyone I interact with in a more empathetic way. Because of our work, I’ve had the opportunity to see schools where all children are thriving and know they matter and belong, and I want that experience for all kids.