WENDY MITCHELL
Development Director
Wendy has dedicated her career to helping nonprofits thrive in the fields of education, the arts, health, and gardens. She began as a dance major at UCLA and later worked as a child therapist, using movement as a tool for learning and connection. Along the way, she discovered her gift for fundraising—helping people understand and advance the missions of the organizations she served—and ultimately built a career as a development leader.
Her work has taken her from UC Berkeley to Hawaii Preparatory Academy on the Big Island, and then to Portland, where she has held leadership roles at the Portland Japanese Garden, OHSU National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, Lan Su Chinese Garden, World Forestry Center, and 1000 Friends of Oregon. In each role, Wendy has guided organizations through strategic campaigns, milestone anniversaries, and donor engagement efforts that ensure lasting impact.
In the community, Wendy has been a dedicated advocate for arts and education for young people. She has served as both President and now Vice President of the Board of Directors for Portland Child Art Studio, where she champions creative expression as a vital part of child development. Beyond board service, she mentors emerging nonprofit leaders and shares her expertise in fundraising and community building with organizations across the region. At Portland Playhouse, Wendy is excited to bring that same spirit of connection—partnering with supporters who believe in the power of theatre to build belonging and celebrate the richness of human experience.
