Team Member Spotlight: Matthew Muench

What is your job title? 
Associate Director of Development 

How long have you been with Penn-Mar?  
In April it will be 10 years. 

How did you get connected with Penn-Mar?  
A friend of mine recommended that I apply. 

What was your previous work experience prior to Penn-Mar and how did it prepare you for your current role?  
I’ve spent 20 years working in the nonprofit sector, where I built experience in grant proposal writing and learned the value of strong data practices. That background prepared me well for my role at Penn-Mar, which has challenged me, taught me a great deal, and helped me grow professionally in ways I hadn’t experienced before. 

What does your work entail?  
My work focuses on managing our constituent database to support fundraising and communications, researching and writing grant proposals, compiling data, and managing the behind-the-scenes segmentation and scheduling of our online communications. 

What’s an average day like for you?  
No two days are really the same. One day I’ll spend time in our constituent database, another I’m focused on grants, and another I’m working on data requests/reports. 

What’s one thing you wish people realized about your job?  
The critical role good data, collaboration, and effective grant proposal writing and management play in advancing Penn-Mar’s mission. 

In another life, your career path is . . .  
I would like to be a film studies professor, but I’m happy with the way my career path went. 

Why is Penn-Mar’s mission important to you?  
Penn-Mar’s mission matters to me because it’s rooted in dignity and independence, and supports people in living courageously and pursuing their best life. 

What’s one thing you wished the general public knew about people with IDD?  
I wish the general public would understand that people with IDD want the same things everyone does. They don’t need to be pitied or treated as “other.” They want to belong, to be respected, and to live happy, fulfilling lives with dignity, kindness, and love. 

What is your favorite quote or mantra?  
“Keep your eye on the donut, and not on the hole” – David Lynch 
 
Any hidden talents or fun facts someone wouldn’t know about you?  
Oddly enough, I’m a surprisingly good hula hooper. I’m probably rusty now though. 

If you could travel anywhere in the world, you’d visit . . .  
I’d like to see Petra in Jordan

In your spare time, you’ll be found . . .  
Watching a movie at the Charles Theater in Baltimore 
 
A book, movie, TV show, sports team, etc. you love:  
My favorite movie changes daily, but at this moment it’s Paris, Texas by Wim Wenders. 

Something fun, interesting, or meaningful about yourself: 
I appreciate simple routines and quiet.