NLI Staff
Michael Kumer, Executive Director
Michael Kumer is the Executive Director of Duquesne University’s Nonprofit Leadership Institute (NLI) and Associate Dean of the University's School of Leadership and Professional Advancement.
Since assuming the directorship of the NLI, Michael has helped nonprofit boards successfully achieve excellence in all areas of governance, including strategic planning, board member recruitment, and effective board structures. An exceptional facilitator, he is often called upon to help organizations achieve consensus.
Due to his reputation as an enthusiastic, energetic and inspiring speaker, Michael’s presentations on nonprofit excellence are much in demand. These programs have enjoyed a cumulative enrollment of thousands of board members, staff and volunteers representing hundreds of nonprofit agencies. He is a frequent guest speaker on the topic of board leadership at local, regional and national conferences.
Michael serves as Program Director for Duquesne’s Master of Science in Community Leadership degree program, offered by the School of Leadership and Professional Advancement. This program can be completed entirely online and is available to practitioners of nonprofit leadership throughout the world.
In addition to the knowledge he imparts on current trends in nonprofit leadership, Michael enjoys sharing the wealth of personal experience he has accumulated as a board or advisory council member for several nonprofit organizations, including the Allegheny County Library Association, Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, Music for All, Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Youth Education in the Arts. He is a past Board Chair of the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society and the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble.
kumer@duq.edu
412.396.5270
Allison Jones, Director, Boards-by-Design
Allison Jones, Director of Boards-by-Design, a program of the Nonprofit Leadership Institute (NLI) at Duquesne University. In that role, Allison works with over 250 nonprofit organizations in the Pittsburgh region and over 1200 individuals to help place civic-minded individuals onto nonprofit boards. In 2005, Allison created an event called Nonprofit Speed Dating which has placed over 100 individuals onto nonprofit boards.
Prior to joining the NLI in June 2004, Allison was a high school choral director and musical director where her productions earned a total of 14 Henry Mancini Awards for excellence in musical theater. Allison continues her musical involvement as a volunteer cantor and substitute conductor for the St. Bede choir in Point Breeze. Allison has also served on boards and/or board committees of Ten Thousand Villages and Bethlehem Haven and currently serves on a committee of the City Theatre. In 2007 Allison was appointed to the Propel Pittsburgh Commission and was named as one of Pittsburgh Magazine's "40 Under 40" recipients. "40 Under 40" recognizes 40 individuals under the age of 40 who are making a positive impact in the Pittsburgh region.
jonesa@duq.edu
412.396.4171
Elaine Franks, Management Assistant
Elaine is a 20 year veteran of Duquesne University’s School of Leadership and Professional Advancement. Her specialties include financial reporting, budgeting, payroll, contracts, and event management. Elaine assists with interviewing, matching and referring candidates in the Boards-by-Design program. She also provides logistical support for Nonprofit Leadership Institute training programs, and strives to ensure a high degree of client satisfaction.
franks@duq.edu
412.396.6231
Peg Fiedler, Project Manager/Consultant
Peg currently provides project management and business development services to the Nonprofit Leadership Institute at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.
Peg's 20-year professional experience has allowed her the opportunity to work within the for-profit, nonprofit and academic sectors. The areas of focus within Peg's general consulting practice are: planning & organizational development, marketing & business development, project management, communications, grants management, fundraising and training & education and coaching.
She formerly served as a development officer and the director of marketing within the St. Francis Health System and is also a licensed realtor in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Peg received her Masters of Science degree in Professional Leadership from Carlow University and has a certificate in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from Duquesne University. She also serves as adjunct faculty at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, teaching in the Graduate Professional Leadership program.
fiedlerp@duq.edu
412.396.2135