Creative Discovery Museum (CDM) is proud to announce the appointment of Donyel Johnson as Vice President of Advancement. With a rich background in nonprofit work and a deep commitment to making a difference, Donyel brings a wealth of expertise and passion to the organization.
Donyel's philanthropic journey began with esteemed organizations like Tennessee Aquarium and Girls Inc. of Chattanooga. There, she spearheaded revenue-generating initiatives to support programs empowering youth and fostering holistic development. Her dedication to transforming communities through education and youth empowerment aligns seamlessly with CDM's mission to inspire curiosity and lifelong learning.
“We are excited to welcome Donyel to the CDM team,” said Tim Sears, President and CEO of CDM. “As a master relationship builder with a proven track record of exceeding fundraising goals, Donyel will play a crucial role in advancing the Museum’s mission to inspire all children to explore, innovate, create, and play.”
Donyel’s visionary leadership and strategic acumen have consistently driven positive outcomes, earning her recognition such as the Women of Distinction Award and a coveted spot in Chatter Magazine’s Top 20 under 40 feature. She is also deeply involved in community engagement and mentorship, serving on the boards of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the UTC Public Service Education Advisory Board, as well as other nonprofit boards.
“I am thrilled to be joining the team at CDM,” said Donyel. “Not only does the Museum align with my career goals professionally, but I’ve personally been impacted by the Museum through time spent with my son, Austin, as members. I look forward to jumping into CDM's current fundraising efforts and bringing my connections and expertise to enhance those efforts."
Donyel started in her role at CDM in January and has immediately gotten to work mapping out a strategic development plan for the year and providing support to the Advancement department. Her diverse experiences, coupled with her steadfast dedication to philanthropy, position Donyel as a valuable asset to the CDM team as the Museum continues to pursue the vision of making our community the best place for a child to grow up.
