Nonprofit leader in fundraising, governance, and association management
About Benita
Benita Blessing is a thoughtful, nimble leader with over two decades of success guiding nonprofit educational and professional programs in national and international academic and association settings. She is an accomplished administrator, interdisciplinary scholar, grant-writer, fundraiser, and storyteller skilled in relationship cultivation, collaborative spaces, compelling narrative building, and strategic program development. Dr. Blessing is inspired by the role of education in building civil society, both in and out of the classroom.
Professional Experience Highlights
Nonprofit Board Experience Highlights
Treasurer
Lois Roth Foundation
2026-Present
Vice President
American Institute of Parliamentarians: Betty S. Green Chapter
2026-present
Core Competencies
Leadership & Governance
Fundraising & Grant Writing
Strategic Planning & Operations
Mentoring
Technical Modernization
Accessibility & Inclusion
Communication & Outreach
Parliamentary Procedure
Education & Curriculum Development
Certifications & Training
Certificate in Fundraising
Oregon State University
2026
Certificate in Association Management
American Society for Association Executives (ASAE)
2026
Certificate in Administrative Skills
American Institute for Parliamentarians
2025-2026
Certificate in Nonprofit Board Education
BoardSource
2025
DEIA Microcredentials
ASAE
2024
Certificate in Nonprofit Management
Oregon State University
2023
Education
University of Wisconsin - Madison, dual PhD.
Departments of History and Educational Policy Studies (1992-2001)
Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, California, dual M.A.
Departments of German Studies and International Policy Studies (1989-1991)
Sample Work
Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, B.A. German and French
Magna Cum Laude
Phi Beta Kappa (1985-1989)
