Meet Your Colleagues : Orneata Prawl
If you haven’t heard the news, the field of grants management is about to lose one of its finest – Orneata Prawl is scheduled to retire this June.
“It's hard to imagine the grants management field without Orneata. Analytical, critical, and authoritative would be stern traits for anyone else, but not Orneata. Her warm, passionate personality; sense of humor, and vivacious presence make her an authority you love turning to. She is truly unique and wonderful for it. Orneata has been my go-to person for years -- whether it is for professional advice or simply for a sympathetic ear. She is dear to so many; and I'm honored to call her my colleague, mentor, and friend. I don't say this lightly -- Orneata is my hero.”
- Adam Liebling, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation
Hanging proudly in Orneata’s home office is a Certificate of Achievement from the Grants Manager Network (GMN) which reads, “For superior achievement in fidelity, generosity, and great food.” No, she did not cook meals for GMN members, but she did host many GMN events – always making sure members were well-fed in mind and in body! The Grants Managers Network and the field it represents have meant a lot to Orneata – and she has spent her career serving both with passion and integrity.
In 1995, Orneata attended her first GMN meeting after seeing a notice in a foundation newsletter: “It was an afternoon meeting on a Thursday and I remember listening to this group -- Armanda Famiglietti, Ann Gael, Margaret Egan, Claudia Conner, Adrienne Fisher, and Heather Masters, among others -- who were ready to change the field of grants management and how each of us could contribute to the process. Early on I got hooked on the vision; and before I knew it, I had volunteered to be a member of the Manual Committee because we were going to document all those things we considered Best Practices… we set out to do what had never before been done. And then I became part of the steering committee formed in 1996 to create a national organization. I sat on that committee for more than a year as we wrestled with formulating the organization's bylaws, developing a strategy, dealing with issues of fundraising and fiscal sponsors, and putting together a board. We were a group on a mission and I look back with a sense of pride, honor and awe on what we accomplished.”
Since those early days, Orneata has been an integral part of GMN’s success. She has served on the Board of Directors, as part of the Nominating (co-chair), Finance, Best Practices, Program, and Membership Committees, and has been an active member of the New York Regional Chapter. “Today the organization is dynamic, forward-thinking, and has excellent leadership. It is redefining its mission, developing a strategic plan, and working to be sustainable. It is unlikely that any of this could have happened without the work by those early pioneers/volunteers who created the foundation for the organization in its formative years. I am a part of the organization's history as well as a "published author" and those are things I will never forget.”
Orneata’s long career in philanthropy began in 1976 when she joined the Rockefeller Foundation as a program secretary for the foundation’s arts program. She left the foundation briefly in 1985 to pursue other interests, but was convinced to return after a chance meeting with a foundation director at the Joyce Theater. Over the years, she has held many positions with increasing responsibilities on her way to becoming a grants manager, and she has always risen to the new challenges presented to her. As anyone who has worked with her in GMN would expect, Orneata is well respected at the foundation for her dedication, integrity and knowledge. “Orneata Prawl is one of the jewels in the Rockefeller Foundation crown. She has been a partner, helpmate, counselor and friend to three generations of Rockefeller Foundation program leadership and staff. It is hard to imagine the RF without her because she is so integral to our success. She has earned the respect, affection and admiration of countless people through her almost three decades of service to the foundation.”
- Darren Walker, Vice President, Rockefeller Foundation
Now that retirement is approaching, I asked Orneata what she would miss most about being a grants manager. She answered, “Sharing knowledge and mentoring people new to the field. It is very rewarding to feel like you are giving back and making a difference.” Her advice to the next generation of grants managers is as follows: “Be an active part of a network, develop organizational and managerial skills, and use them, and get a mentor if you don’t have one. My love for this business steadily grew because I had some really good teachers and mentors along the way. There were never any stupid questions that they did not take the time to answer; they guided and gently corrected and encouraged me. Getting involved with GMN gave me an outlet to voice frustrations and to develop potential solutions. Thanks to these activities, I have spent 22 years learning and growing and doing what I love. DREAM. Think of the possibilities about what you might want to see done differently, whether in your own organization or in the field. Talk to others and share your thoughts. GMN got started just that way, and who knows where your ideas and vision may lead. For those with significant experience in the field, be a mentor! Help the folks who are newer to the field of philanthropy, encourage them and really listen.”
We all know Orneata is a respected and accomplished grants manager, but here are a few things that might surprise you. She loves to dance to disco (even if it is just sitting and moving her feet to the music), and used to be the “queen of high heels.” In the summer, Orneata spends lots of time exploring various flea markets and loves a good old adventure or murder mystery movie.
When June finally arrives, Orneata will look forward to spending more time with her husband of 28 years, Norm Jennings, and her extended family, which includes four adult stepchildren, four grandchildren, a sister, two sisters-in-law, a godchild, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She plans to finally learn to swim, get a driver’s license, take a French class, and spend time at the Metropolitan Museum of Art enjoying the Monet and Egyptian collections. She also plans to look for opportunities to use all of the business skills she has acquired over the years by volunteering or consulting on specific projects. “As you can tell I don't think of retirement as stopping life. I think of it as the next phase of my life, with new adventures and a more balanced attempt at taking care of me.”
Orneata, it has been an honor working with and learning from you these last few years. I think I speak for everyone at GMN and the Rockefeller Foundation when I say that you will be missed; but you have done your fair share for this field, and it is now time for you to relax and enjoy the gifts life brings you!