Molly O’Donnell

Molly O’Donnell is the President of New Profit, a national venture philanthropy organization investing in social entrepreneurs expanding access and opportunity in education, economic mobility, and democracy. She brings more than 15 years of experience in philanthropy, nonprofit management, and strategic advising, having most recently served as Managing Partner of Portfolio Strategy & Operations, where she oversaw a 35-member team across New Profit’s three investment vehicles of Catalyze, Build, and Transform. Under her leadership, New Profit grew to its largest and most diverse portfolio across issue areas, impact models, and communities served, increasing from a total of 26 grantees to 78 in four years. 

Molly has been a driving force in shaping New Profit’s philanthropic strategy and impact. She led the redesign of New Profit’s portfolio strategy, producing a new “Impact Compass” which guides our portfolio stance and approach, and developed innovative cohort-based investment models in response to a rapidly evolving funding landscape. A key leader in major fundraising efforts — including stewarding New Profit’s largest-ever gift of $50 million — she also serves as a trusted leadership coach, strategic advisor, and board member to grantee organizations navigating strategic planning, executive transitions, and organizational change.

Molly holds a dual MBA/MPP from The Heller School at Brandeis University and a B.A. in International Affairs from Lewis & Clark College. She serves on the boards of Big Picture Learning, Fair Count, and the Bruce J. Anderson Foundation. Her work has been featured at SXSW EDU, Grantmakers for Education, and the Aurora Institute, and she is a published co-author on the intersection of public health and social entrepreneurship.