Lead, MEDA @ 75

MEDA

About The Position

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) is hiring a Lead, MEDA @ 75 to guide a two-year initiative marking the organization’s 75th anniversary in 2028. The initiative aims to broaden participation in MEDA’s mission, reconnect generations of people who have shaped the organization, engage new entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, families and partners, and help build MEDA’s next generation of champions. It will also support MEDA’s $75 million Reaching New Horizons Campaign, strengthen the organization’s global relevance and influence, and contribute to the ambition of one million decent jobs by 2030. Reporting to the President & CEO, the Lead will turn the anniversary into a broader journey that strengthens MEDA’s story, constituency, resources and influence. The role will draw on MEDA’s Mennonite and Anabaptist heritage and its founding conviction of Business as a Calling, framing that story for contemporary conversations about enterprise, capital, responsibility and human flourishing. The Lead will reconnect existing supporters and former leaders while engaging new people and communities; develop partnerships and mobilize resources; advance activities leading to the 2028 anniversary, including work connected to Tampa 2026 and Niagara 2027; and collaborate across MEDA to move ambitious ideas forward. Success is expected to be reflected in stronger relationships, increased resources, a more engaged next generation, new partnerships and champions, greater recognition and influence, and a stronger platform for MEDA’s future. The position is full-time and fixed-term through May 2029. Locations: Canada or the U.S. preferred; global candidates considered.

Requirements

Demonstrated record of building something people wanted to belong to, such as a movement, campaign, community, network, institution, capital-mobilization initiative or mission-driven platform.
Experience may come from philanthropy, impact investing, entrepreneurship, business, university advancement, a global network or membership organization, international development, a foundation, a faith-and-business movement or another relevant field.
Demonstrated ability to turn a powerful story into engagement, relationships, resources and action.
Experience building relationships across diverse constituencies, including long-standing supporters, next-generation leaders, entrepreneurs, CEOs, philanthropists, investors, Board members and founders.
Ability to listen deeply, identify what is distinctive about an institution and articulate a narrative that changes how people see it and invites participation.
Comfort engaging people across generations, geographies, sectors and levels of influence.
Understanding of how people move from awareness to long-term relationships and investment.
Broad understanding of philanthropy, investment capital, corporate relationships, market access, expertise, mentorship, influence and legacy commitments.
Ability to structure, test and advance ambitious ideas while maintaining momentum.
Ability to convene the right people around important questions and translate convenings into meaningful follow-through.
Ability to connect MEDA’s work and entrepreneurs around the world with North American and international communities.
Intellectual curiosity about business, investment, development, technology, AI, climate, trade, entrepreneurship, jobs, faith and human flourishing, and the connections among them.
Ability to respect MEDA’s Mennonite and Anabaptist roots while opening the conversation to people from different traditions who share the conviction that business and capital can contribute to human flourishing.
Ability to hold MEDA’s past and future together and translate 75 years of history into a compelling proposition for the next generation.
Strong organizational collaboration skills and ability to get things done across an organization without needing to own everything directly.
Must be able to establish legal authorization to work in the country where the role is based during employment; MEDA cannot sponsor or assist with obtaining work permits.

Responsibilities

Articulate MEDA’s distinctive story and explain its relevance to the present and future, drawing on its Mennonite and Anabaptist heritage and the conviction of Business as a Calling.
Frame Business as a Calling as a contemporary conversation about enterprise, capital, responsibility and human flourishing amid changes such as AI, climate change, trade and capital flows, and the need for decent jobs.
Reconnect former leaders, supporters, families and partners, and invite them to help shape MEDA’s future.
Identify and engage prospective supporters and participants, including entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, corporate leaders, partners and younger generations.
Create pathways for next-generation entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders and MEDA families to participate, become champions and take on leadership roles.
Build relationships that move people from awareness toward engagement, participation, championing, investment and long-term connection.
Build partnerships and bring MEDA into relevant business, investment, development, technology, faith and human-flourishing networks.
Turn relationships into action through philanthropy, catalytic investment, corporate partnerships, mentorship, introductions, expertise, influence, legacy commitments and new champions.
Expand MEDA’s reach beyond its traditional constituency and strengthen connections with business, investment, philanthropic and faith communities in North America and internationally.
Coordinate work across MEDA so Tampa 2026, Niagara 2027 and MEDA @ 75 in 2028 form parts of a larger journey.
Advance activities between milestones, including family and former-leader engagement, major and legacy conversations, thought leadership, next-generation entrepreneurship, external platforms, global experiences and partnerships.
Help shape the 2028 Convention’s strategic ambition, audience, story and relevance.
Structure, test and advance an ambitious initiative while avoiding unnecessary process and maintaining momentum.
Convene influential people around important questions and ensure that convenings lead to meaningful follow-through.
Collaborate across the organization to deliver results without needing to own every component directly.
Perform other duties and meet other requirements as assigned.