Meet Our executive director

Megan O’Leary has a proven track record of organizational development in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Her unconventional career journey has given her a broad range of expertise, from fundraising and marketing communications to operations and finance. 

As Executive Director of Chops, Inc., a Minneapolis music nonprofit, Megan has expanded the organization’s steel-drum artist-in-residence program and launched two scholastic drumline initiatives that serve high-poverty public schools in the Twin Cities’ urban core. She is deeply committed to equity work in her professional and volunteer roles.

Previously, Megan was a development consultant for RECLAIM, a nonprofit mental health organization serving queer and trans youth. In this role, Megan raised more than $500,000 in foundation grants, individual donations, and event revenues in one year.

Megan is also an experienced nonprofit board leader, having successfully steered a major social services organization through a volatile executive transition and a capital campaign. In her roles as vice chair and chair of Hmong American Partnership’s board, Megan honed her thoughtful, consensus-based leadership style and developed a reputation for her ability to navigate cultural differences and honor stakeholders’ values.

Megan was previously Marketing Communications Manager at one of the largest community foundations in the nation, and Chief Operating & Finance Officer for a boutique law firm providing affordable legal services.

She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a B.A. in Zoology and Spanish. Megan currently lives in St. Paul with her two children, two dogs, and six backyard chickens.