RIESTER

Marketing for causes and ideas is a big part of what we do at RIESTER.

I heard about the new Nonprofit Academy for Excellence in Utah and was intrigued to learn more about what this organization is doing to help nonprofits become more effective. The Academy provides training and professional certificate programs to nonprofit professionals.

Anne O’Brien is the founder of the Academy. O’Brien left a secure job with a promising future in the high-paying technology sector to find a job closer to her home in Salt Lake City. She wanted to find work that would require less travel, allow her to grow her career, contribute to her community and make it easier to be a mother.

Rather than finding a job, she created one along with a brand new organization which is an invaluable resource for Utah and a model program for what’s possible anywhere. “Nonprofits see value in education and training and they make time for it. I love seeing the impact that the Academy is having on the community,” she said.

O’Brien is on the leading edge of learning about the latest communications platforms available through social media. The Academy offers courses and a certificate focused on mastering these new tools.

She finds Facebook fascinating. O’Brien says that Facebook is “really changing and it’s becoming an infrastructure, like Google. It’s not just some little thing that you’re using; it’s almost becoming how we communicate.” She mentioned the Utah Museum of Natural History, Make-A-Wish and Tree Utah as local leaders in using social media.

O’Brien commented on RIESTER’s social media and traditional work: “I’ve seen the work you’ve done for the Utah Symphony. I thought it was incredibly creative and fun. I also love the Alta ads. The ad with the bride is one I especially remember. I appreciate seeing that kind of quality creative work here in Utah because I think people in our state often seem to think they need to go to New York to get good stuff. Yet we have that talent right here. “

Thanks Anne. And thank you for the resource that you’ve created for nonprofits. The work they do is invaluable in promoting worthy causes, including: keeping our culture vibrant and alive, helping those in need, teaching about important topics and working to help people change behaviors in positive ways.

Learn more about the Nonprofit Academy for Excellence.

Anne O'Brien and her daughter, photographed at Alta.