the 2009

VANGUARD

awards

sponsored by

DARA T. MUNSON

Dara T. Munson became President and Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit (BBBSMD) on May 1, 2007 and immediately took on the role of leading one of the nation’s oldest and largest mentoring organizations. For more than a century, the organization has been the leader in one-to-one youth service that’s committed to developing positive relationships that make a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of children in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
 

Munson is a seasoned nonprofit executive whose career has largely focused on meeting the needs of at-risk children in southeastern Michigan. Prior to joining Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit, Munson held a number of leadership positions with United Way for southeastern Michigan. Previous to United Way, Munson worked in the criminal justice and juvenile just fields.

Munson has served on the Board of Directors for Alternative for Girls where she chaired the organization’s Development Committee. Other civic memberships include the Michigan Women’s Foundation-Mini Grant Committee and Open Arms Grieving Children’s Program Advisory Committee. Munson is a Leadership Detroit Graduate, Class 27. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; a former member of the Leadership Team of Leadership Next with United Way for Southeastern Michigan. She is 2008 recipient of the inaugural Braylon Edwards Foundation Champion in You Service Award and the 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit’s Excellence in Mentoring Award.

Munson holds a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Eastern Michigan University. Munson is passionate about serving youth and lives it every day. She is a mentor to two young ladies through Big Brothers Big Sisters, one of which she has been mentoring since June of 2005.