Marty McConnell

Marty McConnell is the Director of Strategy & Innovation at the Chicago Poetry Center since 2022, focusing on initiatives that enhance literary creativity and promote social change through poetry, notably through the Critical Conversations @ Work: Anti-Racism program. As the Founder of Appreciative Solutions Group since 2014, Marty provides consulting support to nonprofit organizations across the U.S. with a values-centric approach. Previous roles include Director of Strategic Advancement at Alternatives, Inc., where key projects guided the organization into a new era, and similar leadership positions at the Partnership for After School Education and Declare Yourself. Marty has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing/Poetry from Sarah Lawrence College and a Bachelor's degree in Speech Communication from Miami University.