About McCaela Donovan 

McCaela Donovan is a creative strategist, principal consultant, civil servant, and successful business owner. Her dynamic career spans the arts, consultancy, and education, where she leverages her creative expertise to help organizations and individuals achieve their goals. She is the visionary behind theloftBRK Creative Consultancy, a forward-thinking agency based in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. The consultancy is renowned for its comprehensive services that promote the prosperity of small businesses, nonprofits, and arts organizations. It offers specialized assistance in interim and transitional leadership, administrative structuring, strategic vision implementation, marketing and digital strategy, team coaching, and event planning.

Additionally, she holds a leadership role at ShireHome Co., a premier boutique collection of luxury vacation rentals and property management services. Collaborating with her husband, Joe Short, she directs the daily operations and marketing strategies, ensuring the company remains a top-rated entity in the Berkshires.

Community Engagement and Previous Roles

Her commitment to community service significantly enhances her professional life. In Stockbridge, she plays pivotal roles in the Stockbridge Affordable Housing Trust and the Community Development Corporation of Southern Berkshires, where she advocates for affordable housing and economic growth.

Her previous positions highlight her extensive skill set and diverse experiences. As managing director at White Heron Theatre Company on Nantucket, she spearheaded marketing and development and launched an essential program for emerging artists. She also served as Assistant Director of Admissions and Recruitment at Boston University School of Theatre, where she managed both undergraduate and graduate programs. Her impressive resume includes engagements with notable institutions such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, and Framingham State University.

Celebrated Actor

McCaela Donovan's journey in the arts began with significant recognition as an Elliot Norton and IRNE award-winning actor. Her notable performances have appeared in Off-Broadway productions and leading regional theatres like the Huntington Theatre and American Repertory Theatre. She is a founding member of the Bridge Repertory Theater of Boston and holds memberships with the Actors Equity Association and Screen Actors Guild-AFTRA.

Hobbies & Interests

She is passionate about homesteading, including baking sourdough bread and gardening. She is also involved in building and designing sustainable homes with her husband. Her homesteading journey began after a transformative bread-making class in Hillsdale, NY, which has since become a significant aspect of her lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency and disconnection from technology.

Charitable Activities

Charity is a cornerstone of her life, with active participation and financial contributions to local organizations and broader causes like the ACLU and the Southern Poverty Law Center for over eight years. She supports various local arts organizations, including Jacobs Pillow Dance and Barrington Stage Co., highlighting her commitment to cultural enrichment.

Awards & Accolades

Her career is distinguished by various awards and recognitions. These include a nomination for the 2017 Best Advisor of the Year award from Boston University, the Elliot Norton and IRNE Awards for Best Actress in a Musical, and accolades from the Prague Quadrennial for her directorial work on 'Cabaret.' McCaela Donovan's impressive career illuminates the impact of combining creative insight, strategic thinking, and community involvement. Her dedication to fostering development in people and organizations underscores her remarkable success and influence.