MANP Connects: From Maine to the Nation, Telling the Nonprofit Story Together
Zoom
Event Details
September’s MANP Connects will explore the power of coordinated messaging and advocacy across the nonprofit sector at both the national and state levels.
This session will highlight why unified communication efforts matter, what organizations can gain by participating in sector-wide campaigns, and how aligning messages can strengthen the visibility and impact of nonprofits as a whole.
Join us to learn how your organization can tap into larger movements (such as the Nonprofits Get It Done campaign!), amplify its voice, and contribute to a stronger, more connected nonprofit ecosystem. The event is free and open to all.
Cost + Registration
- Free to attend and all are welcome!
- Register to receive access to the live event
- Registrants will receive a confirmation email as well as a reminder email that will be sent one day prior to the event.
- This MANP-hosted webinar will be hosted in Zoom Meeting and we ask participants turn off their cameras and mute themselves when joining.
- Watch previous MANP Connects on our Youtube Channel!
About the Panelists
Derek M. LaVallee, founder of Red Phone PR, is a communications executive with extensive public relations, public policy, and intergovernmental affairs experience. He has served in senior positions at the White House and the U.S. Department of Defense, and was a national columnist for The Hill newspaper — the paper for and about the U.S. Congress. Currently he counsels Fortune 500 companies and private sector innovators across a wide range of industries.
Danielle Smaha is Senior Director of Communications at Preble Street, a statewide nonprofit organization providing critical services and care that impact thousands of Maine’s most vulnerable community members each year.
Danielle believes that sharing people’s stories and allowing people ‘to look through each other’s eyes’ is a key part of developing the empathy and compassion needed to find solutions to the many problems facing our society today. For the past four years at Preble Street, Danielle has used a wide variety of communications, advocacy, and community engagement strategies to support the mission of Preble Street ‘to provide accessible barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty, and to advocate for solutions to these problems.’
Finding ways to lift up the nonprofit community has been part of Danielle’s life in Maine for nearly two decades. Prior to her current role, Danielle worked for Manomet, an environmental nonprofit, also focused on events, communications, strategic planning, and the development and execution of short and long-term goals. Additionally, Danielle volunteered for 6 years as a member of the board of Portland Buy Local.
Outside of work, Danielle loves reading, cooking, and traveling and spending time with her family.
Natalia Vanegas, Vice President of Communications at the National Council of Nonprofits, is a proven leader across government, communications, and public affairs. She served as a White House Presidential Appointee, holding the position of Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. There, she led all communications, media relations, digital strategy, and public engagement for a department of nearly 9,000 employees—advancing HUD’s mission to expand access to affordable housing and strengthen communities nationwide.
With broad experience in federal and local government, Natalia has held leadership roles in the City of Miami, the District of Columbia government, and the U.S. Congress. She has advised cabinet-level officials and members of Congress and led national public affairs campaigns. Throughout her career, she has also worked closely with nonprofits on efforts related to housing, food security, community development, health, and emotional wellness.
Natalia holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international studies and a master’s degree in community psychology and social change from the University of Miami. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, she brings an international perspective shaped by professional experience across Europe and Latin America. Her work reflects a deep commitment to clear, impactful communication that strengthens institutions and serves the public good.