The Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (AIAM), based in Rochester, has appointed Brittany Telander as executive director of the newly formed AIAM Foundation.
The foundation was established to provide broad support to the aerospace industry, primarily through talent development, enabling suppliers, and community collaboration.
Telander brings more than a decade of experience as a fundraising and communications professional, with a proven track record of strategic development, building and nurturing corporate and community relationships, and achieving revenue goals.
“This is an exciting new chapter for us,” says Tony Vernaci, president of AIAM. “Brittany’s level of experience and passion for impacting lives is what we need to advance the work of the Foundation and its mission. She arrives at just the right time, as we have identified several talent and supplier development programs that will greatly benefit Michigan and the aerospace business community for generations to come. I look forward to having Brittany’s vision and leadership to help guide us through these incredible new opportunities and beyond.”
As executive director, Telander will collaborate with the foundation board and AIAM leadership to develop and manage a strategic fundraising plan to meet annual and long-term resource development objectives. She will oversee and manage the AIAM Foundation’s fundraising events, recruit and cultivate major donors and sponsors, and oversee all grant proposal submissions and reporting.
“Leading the AIAM Foundation is exciting because of the strategic opportunities for industry growth,” notes Telander. “Michigan is an adventure state — it’s a place to dream big. The foundation will be a driver of progress and prosperity for Michigan aerospace companies and workforce. I look forward to working with the people, communities, and businesses that seek to fuel career advancement, grow innovative research, and realize increased economic development through aerospace. Together we’re going to uplift the aerospace industry in Michigan.”
Most recently, Telander served as director of donor relations for Lourdes University in Ohio, where she cultivated a portfolio of 200 donors and increased annual charitable revenue by 29 percent over three years. In previous positions she managed an annual revenue pipeline of $1.7 million in corporate and foundation giving, growing foundation giving from $30,000 to more than $400,000 over three years.
Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan established the charitable foundation in January 2023 as a response to unprecedented industry growth, which is expected to continue for decades to come. The growth has brought a significant need for more suppliers and talent to meet the increasing demands. The goal of the AIAM Foundation is to help bolster the aerospace industry — and with it, the state’s entire economy — by strengthening Michigan’s people, companies, and communities.
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