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Donnie Belcher Executive Director of Communications and Engagement Minneapolis Public Schools Minneapolis, Minn. Nominated by: Minnesota School Public Relations Association
Donnie Belcher’s leadership in Minneapolis Public Schools reflects the transformative power of strategic communication, authentic engagement and community trust. As executive director of communications and engagement, Belcher leads a growing team responsible for internal and external communications, media relations and stakeholder outreach across a diverse, urban district serving nearly 29,000 students who speak more than 100 home languages.
Since joining MPS in 2021, Belcher has redefined how the district communicates—both within and beyond its walls. She developed the district’s first internal communications plan with strategic emphasis on strengthening staff morale. Under her leadership, positive media coverage of the district increased from 12% to 41% in just six months.
As a former high school English teacher and nonprofit leader, Belcher brings both empathy and precision to her work. She has guided major district initiatives, including communications for the superintendent transition, a citywide School Finder Fair aimed at helping families explore educational options and support informed enrollment decisions, and the district’s most representative community feedback campaign to date. Her approach to family engagement—meeting caregivers where they are, from school events to cultural celebrations—produced data that now shapes districtwide decision-making.
“She builds trust in our school communities through compassion and inclusivity,” said Superintendent Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams. “From national teacher recognitions to snow days and crisis management, the effective dissemination of information from Minneapolis Public Schools is anchored by Ms. Belcher.”
Belcher is also a connector. She created a cross-departmental structure in which communications liaisons are embedded in key projects, such as enrollment marketing and the relaunch of the district’s $88 million Career and Technical Education program. In 2024, she led communications for the Superintendent’s 100-Day Listening Tour and oversaw the district’s Caregiver Priorities Survey—an engagement effort that broke records for diversity and participation. She supported a successful collective bargaining process, including livestreamed sessions, a robust communications plan and a joint press conference between the district and the teachers union. In addition, Belcher launched MPS’ first student communications internship, empowering youth to co-create content and present their work to district leadership.
Her influence extends nationally. While serving on the MinnSPRA board, Belcher helped develop a new strategic plan for the association and co-created a widely attended conference session on crisis communications following a teacher strike. She is also a contributor to the Council of the Great City Schools’ Leadership Transition Guide and regularly mentors colleagues across the country by sharing tools, strategies and support.
Belcher's selection as an Echoing Green Fellow underscores her commitment to social innovation and her leadership in creating impactful community-focused initiatives.
“Donnie has become a go-to expert for school districts across the country and brings innovation, strategy and heart to every project she touches,” said the MinnSPRA Board in its letter of support.
Belcher continues to build cross-sector connections that position school PR as both a profession and a force for change. Her forthcoming book, I Am: Intend Align Manifest, reflects her holistic, future-focused approach to leadership—one that values voice, vision and impact.