Life & Work with Martha Brown of Muskegon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Martha Brown.

Hi Martha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was raised in a small, close family. I am the oldest of four. My mother is Korean, and when she first came to the United States, she wasn’t fluent in English. Watching her trying to navigate a new country without any family, with three small children, was difficult. There were times she struggled with communicating, and people weren’t always willing to help. She didn’t let that stop her. My mom persevered and took night classes to learn how to read, write, and speak English. There were a lot of times when I had to be the “interpreter” for my mom. I think that pushed me to want to learn so I could be more helpful to my mom.

Being the oldest, I also had to help with my younger siblings. Leadership came with that responsibility. I had to take charge and be accountable for what we needed to do at home and in school. I think that played a part in my desire to help others and be of service.

Today, I work in a nonprofit, managing scholarships and cultivating relationships in the community to support grantmaking opportunities. This year, I also assisted with a leadership development class focused on service, authenticity, and collective impact.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth or easy road. I’ve had to pivot a lot. Being a mom came first. I often put my goals on hold to make sure my children had what they needed. That wasn’t always easy, especially when I wanted more for myself. I understood sacrifice because I watched my mom. I also saw her give of herself and make the most of what she had.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do my best. I focus on connecting people to resources. Listening and learning people is key to how I work. This translates into every space that I am in. Philanthropy requires me to show up and hear the stories of how donors want to make an impact. Grantmaking provides the opportunity to marry up impact with intention. It’s such a beautiful story to be a part of.

It’s all about relationships, showing up for others, and giving my best.

What sets me apart is my ability to build trust across different spaces. I can talk with students, donors, school leaders, and parents, and meet them all where they are. I know what it’s like to struggle, to lead, to grow, and to start over. That range makes me relatable and real. I don’t pretend. I just serve. And I keep showing up.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
My siblings would probably say that I was bossy. That’s so funny to me. I was a talker and never met a stranger. I was also inquisitive. I always wanted to know the who, what, why, and how. But I could also be sort of shy until I got to know you. I enjoyed school and loved to read. Academic excellence was important to me. I took a lot of pride in being on the honor roll. Even though my family didn’t have much, I had a strong love for style and fashion. I would find ways to create looks with what I had. It was my way of expressing confidence when I didn’t have my voice.

Knowing who I am in God has been a major lift in building my life. I am so grateful to be her.

Contact Info:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-brown-7b4b42234