Beyond Limits. Beyond Goals.
Beyond Giving
Speaking
Engagements
Book Mary-Ellen Lavigne for your next event.
Looking for a speaker who can make fundraising, philanthropy, and nonprofit strategy actually exciting? Mary-Ellen Lavigne, Founder & Principal here at TRANSCEND Advancement, brings two decades of experience in nonprofit advancement, a background in theater, and an uncanny ability to break down complex topics with humor, energy, and actionable insights.
Whether you need a keynote speaker, a panelist, or a hands-on workshop leader, Mary-Ellen delivers inspiring and practical presentations tailored to your audience.
Meet Mary-Ellen
Above, Mary-Ellen looking very professional. Below, Mary-Ellen and two of her favorite people in the whole world—her wife Lauren and her son Jean-Luc.
Mary-Ellen Lavigne
Founder and Principal,
TRANSCEND Advancement
Mary-Ellen Lavigne is an institutional advancement leader, trans rights and DEIJ advocate, and future lawyer. She has spent two decades helping nonprofits—especially independent schools—turn fundraising from stressful to strategic (and maybe even fun).
She didn’t take the usual path into nonprofit leadership. Having studied theater and mathematics (yes, really) at Wesleyan University, she’s mastered the art of storytelling and data-crunching—a killer combo when it comes to advancement. Her journey has been anything but conventional—Hurricane Katrina disrupted her undergraduate experience, forcing her to adapt and chart a new course. Yet, as a lifelong learner, she embraces challenges head-on and never shies away from an opportunity to grow, starting her law school journey at age 40 to further her advocacy and leadership.
Mary-Ellen is a trans woman who began her transition in her late 30s, and in a short time, she has amassed extensive lived experience navigating the professional world as a trans woman. She has faced unconscious and conscious anti-trans bias, transmisogyny, and a generally challenging social and political landscape, all of which have shaped her into a resilient and resourceful leader. Now, she helps others develop the same resilience and adaptability, guiding organizations and individuals to thrive despite adversity.
At her core, Mary-Ellen believes fundraising isn’t about money—it’s about people. She thrives on building connections, engaging communities, and making philanthropy accessible and exciting. And when she’s not doing that? You’ll find her solving puzzles, crushing it at karaoke, or fully embracing her inner nerd through board games and RPGs. (She might discount her speaking rate if there's karaoke involved at your event!)
Based in L.A. but working nationwide, she’s here to help nonprofits think bigger, raise smarter, and go beyond limits, beyond goals, beyond giving. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Topics
Mary-Ellen speaks on a wide range of topics related to fundraising, nonprofit leadership, and inclusive philanthropy, including:
Beyond Giving – How to Build a Donor Community That Lasts
The Data-Driven Fundraiser – Balancing Numbers with Narrative
Fundraising for Small Teams – Big Impact with Limited Resources
Revolutionizing Annual Giving – Making Recurring Donations the Norm
Gifts Aren’t Just From Donors – Focusing on Your Team’s Strengths to Transform Your Advancement Office
From Burnout to Brilliance – Sustainable Strategies for Nonprofit Leaders
Storytelling for Impact – How to Inspire Action & Investment
LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Philanthropy – Building Truly Diverse Donor Bases
It’s Just a Projector – How Inexpensive, Unexpected Tools Can Transform Your Work and Your Team
The Board’s Not Ready, But They Will Be – Leading Boldly to Overcome Inertia Through Radical Partnership
Resilience & Reinvention – Thriving Through Life’s Unexpected Turns
Working While Trans – Challenges and Solutions for Queer Professionals
Embracing Change – What Fundraisers Can Learn from Life’s Detours
Why Book
Mary-Ellen?
Engaging and Entertaining – Fundraising isn’t boring, and neither are Mary-Ellen’s talks. Expect a high-energy, interactive experience.
Practical and Actionable – Attendees leave with real strategies they can implement immediately.
Customized for Your Audience – Every presentation is tailored to fit your organization's needs and challenges.
A Proven Expert – With a track record of fundraising success and nonprofit leadership, Mary-Ellen brings both experience and fresh insights.
An Advocate for Change – Passionate about inclusion and equity, Mary-Ellen ensures conversations around philanthropy are forward-thinking and impactful.
Resilient and Inspirational – Mary-Ellen’s personal journey of overcoming obstacles offers invaluable lessons on perseverance and adaptability.
Who
Should Book?
Nonprofit conferences and summits
Independent school leadership retreats
Board development workshops
Professional associations and networking groups
Fundraising boot camps and trainings
Women’s leadership forums
Events focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and beloning
You (probably)
Formats
Keynotes
Captivating, thought-provoking, and inspiring talks designed to energize and motivate audiences.
Workshops and Trainings
Hands-on sessions with interactive components and real-world applications.
Panel Discussions and Roundtables
Insightful contributions to group discussions on philanthropy and nonprofit leadership.
Custom Presentations
Tailored content to fit your event’s unique theme and goals.
Let’s Make Your Next event
Unforgettable!
Whether you’re planning a conference, retreat, or staff training, Mary-Ellen will bring the energy, expertise, and practical takeaways your audience needs.
Ready to chat? Let’s talk about how we can craft the perfect session for your event.
Mary-Ellen will be in touch within 48 hours after you submit your form.