Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle McGinty. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michelle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Without questions, DRA Collective’s most meaningful project is First Place (www.firstplaceaz.com)
The Collective was started by Denise D. Resnik in 1986 prior to her having children. When her youngest son was diagnosed with autism many years later, Denise become more than a young entrepreneur, she was now a mother on a mission.
Doctors, at the time, told our founder “to love but plan to institutionalize your son.” Fortunately, for the rest of the world, that was not an option for Denise’s family. She launched the internationally recognized Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) in 1997, SARRC continues to help families navigate diagnosis and interventions through adulthood.
As wonderful as SARRC’s mission and impact was, Denise was always searching for the solution to who would care for Matt once she and her husband were gone. After 20 years or research and dedication, First Place AZ was born and opened its doors in July 2019.
As journalists, marketers, researchers, artists, thinkers— the Collective are communicators in pursuit of strategy and content that is authentic, meaningful and will leave a lasting mark on this world. I am proud to say that we have been involved with the creation of First Place since it was an early vision back in the early 2000s. Convening experts across industries to help shape the vision for this entirely new vocational housing concept. We developed the brand, the brand story and helped rally the community behind this big dream. Now, successfully in its third year of operations, we are helping other communities bring the vision of First Place to their neighborhoods.
Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m a modern, savvy and driven business and community leader with more than 20 years of experience representing influential brands across industries. I serve the Phoenix community through numerous board appointment and committee chairman roles. As president of DRA Collective, I help lead game-changing, end-to-end marketing and community campaigns that deepen connections, accelerate revenue and drive brand growth.
I hope my peers consider me an innovator, collaborator, storyteller, strategist and partner.
My role is to oversee the many members of the Collective running the day-to-day operations of the firm, founded in 1986 by Denise D. Resnik. I’m the first stop for our high-profile clients representing companies across sectors including education, not for profit, commercial and residential real estate development and brokerage; regional economic development; and service organizations.
I’m lucky enough to be able to lend my professional and personal talents to various non-profit and community organizations focused on creating a better Arizona for future generations.
During my tenure with DRA, I have created innovative programs for such clients as the Arizona Department of Commerce, multiple DMB communities, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Valley Leadership, The Nature Conservancy, Urban Land Institute, Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, Arizona State University, Jewish Community Association and the Arizona Humane Society.
Prior to joining the agency, I worked on the Lexus Automotive account for a division of Saatchi and Saatchi in Los Angeles. I earned a bachelor’s degree in business and communications from Arizona State University.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Without question being involved in the community has fostered strong ties and helped bolster my reputation in the market. It is part of our DNA as a creative agency to actively serve projects and organizations within our community that align with our shared passions.
I currently serve on the Creative Impact Board at the ASU Art Museum, helping the Board address pressing social issues through art.
I also served as President of the Board for Valley Leadership completing 10 years of board service for the organization. We helped guide the creation of Valley Leadership’s Impact Maker to build the pipeline for future leadership in Arizona securing the largest gift in Valley Leadership’s history, $1 million, from community businesses and foundations.
I am also engaged in two major state-wide initiatives focused on sustainability, Arizona Thrives and affordable housing, Home Matters. I am an active volunteer for both First Place and The Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center and have served on the Advisory Council for Urban Land Institute.
In 2016, PBJ named me one of the Valley’s “Outstanding Women in Business.” I was also named one of PBJ’s “40 Under 40” in 2013.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Treat your team AS A TEAM not as employees. The number one cause of low morale is micro-managing.
I believe in sharing a leadership style that propels fresh ideas forward through autonomy and collaboration. In fact, the agency was far ahead of Zoom culture, moving our team to work from home optional in late 2019. When you work with professionals, especially creatives, they often have very full lives. Allowing us all the autonomy to pursue all our passions is extremely important to creating a good team culture.
As a result, the team has thrived amidst the recent pandemic chaos. We are enjoying new client challenges, the exploration of talents and increased motivation. Together we created deeper collaborations with like-minded communications firms, sourced a new Artificial Intelligence platform to enhance client services and renewed the firm’s commitment to serving our various passion projects.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dracollective.com
- Instagram: @smichellemcginty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.wedlakemcginty
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellemcginty/
Image Credits
Serina Magley