Testimonials
Testimonial from pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on my LIFElines-based team development program for faith-based organizations.
Recent letter from Brazoria County Alliance for Children regarding board development and facilitation services.
And from Project Joy and Hope this testimonial on fundraising and proposal writing support.
And from a Vistage chair for my presentation Creativity and Leadership.
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“When Dion listens you feel heard and you begin to hear, appreciate, know and trust your own authentic voice, too. I have experienced this as an individual and as part of a group as Dion guides in visioning and planning. He never starts by telling; he always starts by listening. This is what makes Dion unique.”
Charity Ellis Former employee/leader of alumni and community programming September 26, 2014
Dion McInnis is an outstanding speaker. He is clear, articulate, humorous and talks on fascinating subjects.. He is down-to-earth, witty, and relates well to audiences. I have seen an audience held spell-bound with his words and gestures and the brilliance of his thoughts. His blogs are full of insights that originate from everyday events and the life that surrounds us. He has the capability of taking the routine, focusing on it and deriving lessons that benefit us all if we but know where and how to look. Any event planner who is looking for a speaker or workshop coordinator to provide value, interest and a learning experience, should engage him in an event.
Robert Sholly, Colonel, USA Ret. – Co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize 1988, speaker and best-selling author.
October 30, 2015
“During our annual Alumni Celebration, everyone looked forward to the part where honorees were called and awarded. With Dion as emcee, what could have been a simple listing of names and accomplishments turned into a beautiful story of each person – a celebration of who they are, not just what they do.”
Charity Ellis Former employee/leader of alumni and community programming September 26, 2014
Dion McInnis is a great resource for any organization, business, or individual looking for a motivational speaker and/or consultant for fundraising, problem solving, etc. With his strong professional background in leadership roles at universities related to fundraising for 27 years he brings to his new business extensive skills–motivational speaker, photographer, author, and a host of other talents. We have known him for more than half that time.
He excels at analyzing and creating scenarios that will lead to a workable plan and a successful outcome for all parties, as he listens well and is able to create a plan that resolves multiple issues to create a consensus. Dion also brings a personal approach to each project. These skills can be applied to any organization, business, or individual seeking to improve performance and accomplishing goals.
We highly recommend Dion McInnis to work with your organization or business to help develop your plan. His experience and creativity abound in all of his endeavors.
Pat & Wendell Wilson September 26, 2014
Dion McInnis became a colleague of mine when I managed a foundation for the arts. His passion for helping individuals and organizations reach their potential is phenomenal – he is unique in his ability to think strategically, articulate needs and solutions, and transform organizations. His impeccable expertise and creativity, coupled with his wealth of experiences, brought new energy to everyone he worked with; this, in turn, led to greater financial, material, and personal investments in the arts arena.
Sue Garman September 26, 2014
Over the course of the last ten years we have had the pleasure of knowing and observing Dion McInnis’ expertise in successfully leading major fund raising projects for the University of Houston- Clear Lake. His impressive track record is due to his demonstrated skill to focus on the needs of the program, the clarity of his message, as well as his total commitment to the project. In addition to these many fine attributes, he thinks strategically, and skillfully identifies major donors who he connects with in a very likeable manner.
Sandy and Gary Mossman September 26, 2014
“It seems to me that we have lost the art of listening to other people, and appreciating that everyone has many stories to tell that can enrich our own lives. This is especially true in the high-tech healthcare field, where caregivers are so rushed to move patients and families throughout complex systems. That is what has impressed me about you and the work that you are doing.”
Patricia September 26, 2014
I had the pleasure of working with Dion for more than six years, and I can attest to his ability as a strategic planner, coach and fundraiser. I personally observed Dion successfully develop fundraising strategies with individuals, major donors, area corporations and private foundations – even during tough economic times.
Before any funds are solicited, Dion begins by coaching client staff and board members to realize their short, mid-term and long-term visions for their specific endeavors. He then effectively identifies unique partnership opportunities that serve to realize these visions while at the same time furthering the missions of the individual, corporate or foundation funder. Dion has also developed innovative ways to cultivate current and prospective donors that go beyond the traditional plaque and recognition banquet. Always asking “why before how,” Dion ensures that his clients remain focused and attentive to the task at hand: advancing their organization’s mission through stakeholder engagement, fundraising, and effective promotion of their organization’s work to the community it serves.
Carol Bornstein September 26, 2014
I worked with Dion McInnis for more than ten years. Not only did he help raise significant funds for art initiatives at University of Houston-Clear Lake, he led the process with vision, strategies and tactics that were easy for the faculty members to understand. As an art professor for my entire career, my work has always been the creation of art and teaching others. I did not fully understand the processes of conceptualizing ideas, developing plans, creating a vision that would be fundable and working with the internal and external constituencies to benefit the arts. He taught me as he worked with me and others to raise funds. Perhaps one reason we collaborated so well is because Dion is an artist, too.
I believe that the success of the International Art Consortium that I manage is due to a large extent because of Dion’s help over the past few years. Not only did he help secure the funds, but he also served as an art-aware ambassador to national and international artists for the benefit of the consortium and the university.
Many faculty members benefited from his mentoring and coaching ways. His vision led to hundreds of thousands of dollars for the arts. His guidance continues to serve me as I develop ideas for art programs and outreach that serve multiple aspects of the university’s mission and plans.
Sandria Hu September 26, 2014
