Mary Cipollone

About Mary Cipollone

I am dedicated to making work work better for humanity. I value authenticity, community, and fun, and those values fuel the work of Big Onion Partnerships.(Fun fact: Cipollone translates to “big onion” in Italian.) I have worked alongside inspiring communities in Harlem, Nicaragua, and Ecuador, and recently served as Executive Director of Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce\'s Small Nonprofit of the Year. I hold a B.A. in Biology from Dartmouth College and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Michigan, and am a fluent Spanish speaker.I am an experienced CEO and entrepreneur who is known for attracting and retaining top talent, transforming organizational culture, and defining strategy for sustainable growth. I understand the joys and challenges of leading people and companies, and my sweet spot is creating clarity from chaos. With 20 years of experience working alongside communities of color, and people living in low-income households, I infuse everything I do with my commitment to expanding equitable opportunities. I am passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to cultivate the layers of resilience essential for sustainability. In addition to working alongside invigorating leaders, I carve out time for frolicking outdoors, dancing to live music, and meaningfully connecting with my friends and family.Clients of Big Onion Partnerships experience-Higher employee satisfaction and retention-Fewer misunderstandings and smoother communication-Faster recovery from mistakes and setbacks-Teams that feel more connected, energized, and effective What we offer-Offsite and retreat design and facilitation: Foster connection, alignment, and momentum for your teams at key moments-Leadership coaching (Group + 1:1): Strengthen the cohesion and effectiveness of your executive team-Manager excellence programs: Clarify purpose, set expectations, and equip managers with the skills that drive engagement and performance-Practical Skills Training: Build the everyday habits and mindsets that make your culture more human and your team more effective-Collaborative Work Sessions: Translate strategy and values into daily behaviors that sustain a healthy, high-performing culture

Experience

1. Founder and Principal

   Big Onion Partnerships

   Aug 2021 — Present · Denver, CO, US

   Big Onion Partnerships is committed to making work work better for humanity. And the beautiful research backed truth is that investing in your people makes business sense too. Companies that care about staff wellbeing are more than twice as likely to meet financial targets (Bersin, MIT Sloan, Aug 2022).Together we can develop an intentional workplace culture where people are valued, connected, and collaborate effectively. This might take the form of designing retreats, crafting people management frameworks, or bringing your values to life. Our work will amplify employee engagement and retention, and help your people and your business flourish!

Education

• Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

  Master of Public Policy

• Dartmouth College

  Bachelor's degree

Skills

• Public Policy
• Curriculum Design
• Grant Writing
• Teaching
• Program Evaluation
• Volunteer Management
• Program Management
• Public Speaking
• Research
• Admissions
• Program Development
• Policy Analysis
• Community Outreach
• Event Planning
• Policy
• Strategic Planning
• Fundraising
• Leadership Development
• Nonprofits