TRACIE GUY-DECKER
Writer. Speaker. Doodler.
Credentials
PROFESSIONAL INFO
You are not obligated to complete the work.
Neither may you desist from it.
Pirkei Avot 2:21
I'm a writer, public speaker, project manager, strategist, facilitator, educator, and commentator.
My originality, logical priority-setting skills, strategic thinking, and knack for creative solutions complement a deep emotional intelligence and a fundamental commitment to finding the win-win-win.
My career has ranged from higher ed to philanthropy to museums, but the through-line has been a deep commitment to using my talents and experience to help individuals and institutions thrive.
WORK EXPERIENCE
2021-PRESENT
Senior Partner
Joyous Justice, LLC
As my passions and my profession align, I continue to wear a number of hats:
CONTENT CREATION
• Podcast co-host and sometime video editor
• Course co-creator and tech support
• Blog, email, and webcopy writer and/or editor
ADMIN and OPERATIONS
• Primary architect of new infrastructure in Kajabi platform
• Consult on Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable processes and procedures
• Contribute to long-term strategy and tactics for organization growth and scalability
EVENT and COMMUNITY SUPPORT
• Provide support on Zoom webinars and other meetings
• Co-plan / facilitate select programming
• Serve as moderator / facilitator for online communities
2020-PRESENT
Curriculum Developer & Facilitator (Consultant)
For Jewish and more general audiences, I develop and/or deliver curriculum around race and racism, antisemitism, oppression, and power. I specialize in making complex concepts (e.g. the effects of White Supremacy Culture or the dynamic nature of antisemitism) digestible. I meet my audience where they are and help them deepen their analysis while staying present for the discomfort that arises.
Clients have included the University of Maryland Office of Diversity & Inclusion, the Baltimore Jewish Council, Kesher Pittsburgh, and the Elijah Cummings Youth Program.
2010-PRESENT
Writer & Fundraising Consultant
Whether as copywriter with a marketing agency, in-house talent, or pro-bono for organizations I believe in, I've helped raised millions of dollars over the past decade.
My specialty is long-form fundraising direct response packages. I take a holistic view of every direct-response fundraising campaign, with an eye to list selection, package components, timing, ask strategy, and multi-channel execution.
2018-2020
Deputy Director
Jewish Museum of Maryland
2015-2018
Associate Director for Projects, Planning and Finance
Jewish Museum of Maryland
At a small museum, everyone wears a lot of hats. That was especially true for me.
WRITING and EDITING
• Grants (city, state, federal, and private)
• Publications (annual reports, exhibit catalogs, in-gallery and marketing brochures)
• Fundraising (donor menus, direct response letters and emails, stewardship and thank yous)
• Membership communications (6+ renewal touches per membership level, membership acquisition, thank yous and new member packets)
• Blogs and newsletters
• Exhibit scripts (interpretive and label copy)
ADMIN and OPERATIONS
• Annual Budgets (created and managed annual budget for the Museum between $1.5 and $2million)
• Accounts Payable (review all transactions and provide coding for accountants)
• Facilities Management (two historic synagogues, the Museum building, and 2 additional owned-properties)
• Staff retreats and cohesion efforts
• Processes and internal controls for finance and quality assurance
PROJECT and PROCESS MANAGEMENT
• Implementation of project management software
• Adoption, configuration, and data transfer for new constituent relationship management software and point-of-sale solution
• Exhibit project management for more than ten exhibits
• Multi-touch, multi-channel renewal process
• Strategic briefs and after-action documents for all major projects
• Consultation for exhibit evaluation projects
FUNDRAISING
• Stewardship and solicitation for a small portfolio of donors
• Segmentation and strategy (pipelines, ask strings, benefits)
PUBLIC SPEAKING and FACILITATION
• Lectures and presentations (live and via digital platforms)
• Small-group facilitation
• Moderating for panels and speaker Q&A
• Spokesperson for Museum with radio, TV, and newspaper journalists
2013-2015
Senior Associate Director, Marketing & Communications
Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Johns Hopkins University
As the lead marketer for the office of undergraduate admissions, it was my role to develop a strategic marketing plan, overseeing and integrating marketing deliverables, including print, web, social media, and in-person events.
2011-2013
Director of Marketing
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater
Oversaw an internal marketing agency for the Federation and the Jewish Community Center, 14 client-departments in all, ranging from fitness to cultural arts to philanthropy. Produced an award-winning publication Returning to Work, Hampton Roads in support of a newly-launched infant care program.
2010-2011
Assistant Director, Direct Marketing
College of William & Mary, Annual Giving Programs
Provided strategy, project management, and best practices for all of the direct response fundraising and select stewardship activities for the Fund for William & Mary and four constituent funds. More than 500,000 pieces of mail or email through more than 50 distinct projects annually raising nearly $1,000,000, with 100% on-time and on-budget record.
COMMUNITY
Chair, BHC Justice | Chair, Antiracist Working Group
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
2015-PRESENT
2018-PRESENT
2016-2019
Co-Chair, Baltimore Leadership Council
Jews United for Justice
Chair, Baltimore Fundraising Committee
Jews United for Justice
EDUCATION
2000-2004
Divinity School of the University of Chicago
M.A. Religious Studies (concentration: History of Judaism)
Ph.D. coursework (concentration: Modern Jewish Thought)
1994-1998
Oberlin College
B.A. English & Religion, Minor in Politics.
Inducted to Phi Beta Kappa, Zeta of Ohio.