McCaela Donovan

Creative Strategist & Principal Consultant

McCaela Donovan is a visionary leader and multifaceted professional who seamlessly blends creativity with strategic insight across multiple sectors, including the arts, education, and business consultancy. Based in the scenic Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, She is the pioneering force behind theloftBRK Creative Consultancy, a firm dedicated to enhancing the operational and creative capacities of small businesses, nonprofit entities, and arts organizations. Her consultancy is a beacon for transformative growth with a robust portfolio that includes transitional leadership, strategic vision implementation, and a slew of specialized services such as marketing and digital strategy, interpersonal and team coaching, and event planning.

In addition to her consultancy work, she co-leads ShireHome Co., a boutique collective specializing in luxury vacation rentals and property management. She steers the company's daily operations and marketing strategies with her husband, Joe Short, cultivating a reputation for excellence and reliability in the Berkshires' competitive hospitality sector.

Her commitment to community and public service is profound. She is an active member of the Stockbridge Affordable Housing Trust and the Community Development Corporation of Southern Berkshires, where she champions affordable housing solutions and stimulates local economic development. Her past roles are a testament to her diverse skills and capacity for leadership, having served as the managing director of White Heron Theatre Company on Nantucket and as Assistant Director of Admissions and Recruitment at Boston University's School of Theatre. These roles underscore her deep roots in the arts and education, further enriched by her experiences with prestigious institutions like Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Walnut Hill School for the Arts.

Learn More from McCaela:

Thornewood Inn project completed, now open to affordable housing units

Board & Staff Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire