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Live from DMA: Harrison, Mitchell Receive Top Honors

The Data & Marketing Association (DMA) Nonprofit Federation awarded its Max Hart Nonprofit Achievement Award and Rising Leader Award during its 2018 Washington Nonprofit Conference.

Tom Harrison, retired chairman and CEO of Russ Reid, received the Max Hart Nonprofit Achievement Award, which recognizes outstanding career accomplishments by a fundraising professional. Shira Mitchell, director of direct response marketing at Special Olympics, received the DMANF Rising Leader Award, which honors young professionals under 35 that are making great strides in shaping the future of the nonprofit community.

“The nonprofit community is composed of inspired people who work tirelessly to make change in the world,” said Senny Boone, executive director of DMA’s Nonprofit Federation. “These awards honor the marketers and fundraisers who have a passion for their causes and successfully raise funds for their mission. Tom and Shira represent the best of the nonprofit world, and we could not be more proud to work alongside them at the DMA Nonprofit Federation.”

Before becoming a respected leader in the nonprofit world, Harrison built a successful career in public relations, serving for a decade with the international public relations firm Edelman Worldwide. He joined Russ Reid in 1985, and under his leadership, the agency grew to one of the largest direct response marketing firms serving nonprofits.

In 2007, Harrison was appointed chairman of Omnicom’s Nonprofit Group, a collection of agencies specializing in helping nonprofits grow. He led fundraising programs for World Vision, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, Boys Town, MADD, American Cancer Society, Covenant House, Operation Smile and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Harrison has also served as a member and vice-chair of the DMANF Advisory Council and chair of its Nonprofit Leadership Summit.

Mitchell started her career in nonprofit marketing in 2006 at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, serving six years as direct response marketing manager. She joined Special Olympics in 2012 as direct response senior manager and was promoted to director of direct response marketing in 2015. Mitchell serves on the DMAW Board of Directors and is a frequent speaker and moderator at industry events, including DMA Nonprofit Federation conferences.