Dr. Michaela O’Donnell is the Executive Director of the Max De Pree Center for Leadership where she oversees the center’s vision, strategy, program, and team, all with the goal of helping leaders like you respond faithfully to God in all seasons of your life and leadership.
Michaela’s first book, Make Work Matter: Your Guide to Meaningful Work in a Changing World is due out in October with Baker Books. It’s already getting rave reviews from folks such as Dave Evans, Mark Labberton, Missy Wallace, Luke Bobo, Dee Ann Tuner, Kara Powell, and more. This book is a reflection of Michaela’s heart as both an entrepreneur and a practical theologian. Drawn to the real life working out of big issues, it is a how to for anyone walking the road of calling in a changing world.
Click here to view Michaela's profile.

Make Work Matter Book Club
Is there a way to get beyond “diversity training” that isn’t merely driven by liability or political correctness, but instead seeks to get at the heart of the matter?
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What Did God Birth in You This Year?
I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the…
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Ask “What If?”
Part of work in a changing world is to think outside the box and to take seriously God’s invitation to imagine what is possible.
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Practice Empathy Along the Way
Much of the meaningful work we desire to do can be traced back to empathy.
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Go Ahead and Feel all the Feels
Whether you’re excited or exhausted by this current season of work, God promises to be with you, caring for you and directing you in this time.
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Name What You’re Wrestling With
Seasons of wrestling in our work and life are often opportunities to make meaning and be transformed by God.
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Online Course:
Meaningful Work in a Changing World
An Online Course on Fuller Equip Where do you want to go? Who will you become? How will you get there? Meaningful Work in…
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Women Leaders are Meeting this Moment
Women Leaders are Meeting this Moment. Let’s Hope it’s Not Costing Too Much. Pre-pandemic, as part of my work, I would travel around to…
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Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Right now, a staggering number of people are considering quitting their job.[1] Let’s face it, the pandemic turned our world upside down. If the…
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Wayne Park is Our New Program Specialist
I am excited to announce that Wayne Park (DMin 21’) will be joining the De Pree Center in the role of Program Specialist. In…
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Webinar: Finding Joy at Work
Webinar with Angela Gorrell, hosted by Michaela O’Donnell Long.
Research tells us that seasons of challenge often holds extraordinary opportunity for joy.
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Investing, Not Exploiting
Every choice we make to spend money is a way of investing in systems and goods and communities.
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Investing in People
In life, we have people whom God trusts us with and people whom God trusts with us. Our investment in each other truly can pay dividends in God’s Kingdom.
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