M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

INTERN PROGRAM

Each year the Murdock Trust invites several college students (usually rising seniors, or recent graduates) to explore the philanthropic sector with special attention on nonprofit leadership and management.

Interns are invited to observe and participate in the daily work of the Trust and are introduced to the grant/proposal process, including shadowing site visits with potential grantees.  Interns are also given an overview of various Trust roles and processes, including investment, program, enrichment, finance, and conference planning. Contact us for more information.

Meet Our Current Interns

Brett Martin
Oregon Fellow
Brett is a recent graduate of Friends University in Wichita, Kansas where he earned a dual B.S. in Accounting and Finance. He was brought to the Trust through the Oregon Leadership Development Institute as 2019-2020 Portland Fellow where he will help support a variety of projects, including Murdock business and financial programs, convenings and events. Brett is excited to gain more knowledge about the nonprofit sector and explore new areas of interest within the Trust. In his free time Brett enjoys running, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

2018-2019 Interns

Annika Nyquist
Intern
Annika is a recent graduate of North Park University in Chicago, Illinois and earned a B.A. in Fine Arts. She grew up in McMinnville, Oregon where she played soccer most of her life and went on to play all four years in college. While in school, she also did part-time work for nonprofits in the city which included jobs at a homeless shelter and a thrift shop whose proceeds benefited programs for vulnerable populations. She enjoys spending her free time painting, thrifting, hiking, and exploring new cities. Annika plans to return to Chicago where she hopes to work with nonprofits that engage with different communities in the city and their unique needs and to also further her art practice. During her time at the Trust, Annika hopes to grow professionally and personally as she prepares to launch herself into her next career.
Nathan Cloud
Intern
Originally from Woodland Washington, Nathan attends the University of Portland as a Business Finance student. He is on track to graduate in March of 2019 with a BBA in Finance. During his time at the Trust, he is especially interested in learning more about investment practices and nuances of the investment world to prepare himself for a career in investment banking. Nathan also hopes to broaden his understanding of the nonprofit sector with the goal of informing his volunteer efforts and the philanthropic contributions he hopes to make later in his career. In his free time Nathan enjoys lifting weights and relaxing with his friends. Nathan is passionate about helping support the foster care system as well as disabled and homeless veterans.
Claire Frankenfield
Intern
A Nashville native, Claire is a graduate of Auburn University where she earned a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with emphases in Economics, Nonprofit and Philanthropy Studies, and Africana Studies. She has made her was to the Pacific Northwest through the Oregon Leadership Development Institute as a 2018-2019 Portland Fellow. Claire has a wide variety of vocational interests, particularly in the nonprofit and social entrepreneurship sectors, and is grateful to be able to explore and gain more knowledge in those areas during her time at the Trust.

2017-2018 Interns

Camille Idedevbo
Intern
Camille is a Nigerian American native of Bowie, Maryland, just a 30-minute commute from our nation’s capital. She is a recent graduate of Pepperdine University with her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. As a Posse Scholar, Camille participated in campus-wide initiatives to create spaces for diversity and inclusion. She aspires to pursue a law degree and a PhD in public policy in order to advocate for equal access to quality education for students in underrepresented communities. Ultimately, Camille would love to participate in policy reform and the reallocation of resources to school systems nationwide. Furthermore, she hopes to establish a platform whereby she can encourage students to maximize their potential. Camille is a current resident of Portland, Oregon, participating in the Portland Women’s Fellowship prior to embarking on her legal career. Camille is passionate about ministry and leadership and takes interest in people’s personal development. As a student, Camille spearheaded the efforts to establish a new student-led ministry on her campus in addition to other leadership positions. In her free time, Camille enjoys singing, dancing, traveling, cooking and short walks on the beach. She is thrilled to learn all about the nonprofit sector and the work that the Trust is doing!
Meaghan Bradley-Bussell
Intern
Meaghan studies finance at the University of Portland will be a senior this upcoming year. She is hoping to pursue a career in the nonprofit field once she graduates and live her life serving others. She grew up in Bellingham, Washington and enjoys spending time with friends and family in her free time. She has a great appreciation for the outdoors and loves hiking, skiing, and running.
Stuart Gillin
Intern
Stuart is entering his senior year at Lewis-Clark State College where he is studying business. During his time at Lewis-Clark State, he has been involved in the nonprofit community both as a volunteer and an employee. Stuart has an interest in finance and public policy with hopes to work a related field upon graduation.
Allison Liedtke
Intern
Allison is entering into her senior year at University of Portland. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in theology and a minor in computer science. She is also involved in leadership, campus ministry, and residence life. She has held a variety of leadership positions within her dorm and will be a Residential Assistant during her senior year. With this involvement, her passion for service and nonprofit work has grown tremendously. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs and work one-on-one with college students.
Grace Packer
Intern
Grace is a recent graduate of George Fox University with a bachelor’s degree in Global and Cultural Sociology. She hopes to continue exploring opportunities within the realm of Higher Education and the nonprofit sector.

2016-2017 Interns

Lauren Boyle
Intern
Lauren is a recent graduate of Hope College (Hope) in Holland, Michigan where she studied psychology with an emphasis in leadership. She comes to the Trust as a 2016 Oregon Fellow through the Oregon Leadership Development Institute. Lauren developed an interest in nonprofit organizations throughout her time at Hope as the director of volunteer services where she worked directly with nonprofits across West Michigan. During her time at Hope, she was involved as a student ambassador and assistant director of new student orientation. Lauren is a sports, coffee, and running enthusiast, and enjoys learning from passionate people. She hopes to pursue a career surrounding global unity, community building, or philanthropy, and is excited to learn from both the philanthropic sector and the Pacific Northwest.
Phoebe McClements
Intern
Phoebe is a recent graduate from the University of Western Australia. Having majored in economics and finance, she came to the Murdock Trust to learn more about investment and the nonprofit sector. Phoebe has a passion for traveling and learning about new places and has greatly enjoyed exploring Portland and the Pacific Northwest. She hopes that in her time here, she has convinced at least a few people to visit Perth, Australia, where she is from. After completing her internship she is moving to London to pursue her Masters of Public Administration at the London School of Economics. She hopes this will take her to work in the philanthropy sector and explore how for-profit and not-for-profit organizations can better co-operate and learn from each other.
Maya Ballard
Intern
Maya is a born and raised Oregonian. She is a rising senior at University of Portland and is studying Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management. She has a passion to love and serve others, and has a keen interest for the nonprofit world. She hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the workings of nonprofits and social enterprises, and how they impact the world for the better. Maya worked in the athletics department at University of Portland and enjoyed connecting with the athletes and staff members. She played soccer and basketball growing up, and sees athletics as a mission field for Christ. Living in the Columbia River Gorge, she is an outdoor enthusiast at heart, who enjoys running, kayaking, hiking and the like. She is an art enthusiast and coffee devotee. She has a desire to continuously learn about, challenge and change the world for the better.
Chelsea Burunov
Intern
As a Vancouver, Washington native, Chelsea is entering her senior year at George Fox University. In May 2017, she will graduate with her Bachelor of Science degree in biology while attaining a cell and molecular concentration. From a young age she has been very passionate about serving her community and is enthusiastic for anything regarding the medical field. After graduating, she hopes to attend nursing school. The oldest of six children, Chelsea is a natural leader and a responsible and hard worker. She particularly looks forward to service opportunities with teens and young adults. Additionally, Chelsea is a big proponent of mentorships; she has always looked for mentors to help her become her best self, remains available to young women in her life that she could help, and encourages her peers to seek out various mentorships. Chelsea loves every opportunity to get outdoors. Skiing, rock climbing, boating, and camping are a few of her favorite activities. She is a talented artist and musician. Recently, Chelsea has been blessed to expand her hobby of wedding planning, and has begun work as a wedding planner and event coordinator.
Caitlin Dorazio
Intern
Caitlin Dorazio was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. The desire to travel and develop a better understanding of the world, she attended a three month worldviews seminar with Summit Ministries and then headed to Cape Town, South Africa and various locations in Nepal to work with a discipleship training organization called All Nations to do community service. During her time overseas, she found her love for business and the idea of changing individual’s lives through vocations and giving them the opportunity to work to provide for their family, lifestyle, and dreams. The next steps in life took her to Colorado Christian University where she got worked with Global Food Exchange, a international disaster relief company designed to provide food, water, and shelter to countries that have experienced national disasters. In May of 2016 she completed her degree in Business Administration and minor in International Economics and moved out to the great Northwest. She enjoys any type of outdoor activities or things that bring people together and creates community. She loves to travel and experience new cultures, countries, and foods.
Reid Paquet
Intern
Reid Paquet grew up in Southern California and will be a senior next fall at the University of Portland where he seeking to earn his degree in Business Finance. He is especially interested in entrepreneurial companies, and enjoys learning about how startup organizations develop. Reid has participated in the University of Portland’s Entrepreneurial Scholars program as well as the Faith-Based Leadership program. Reid’s favorite past times are related to sports, stemming from playing baseball and water polo since he was child. He also enjoys hiking, mountain biking, swimming, riding his motorcycle, and fishing. In the future, Reid hopes to work with young entrepreneurs so as to help them develop their business prowess and to encourage them foster the best environments for success. Reid is excited for the lessons to be learned during his internship and is thrilled to start his professional journey at the Murdock Trust.

2015-2016 Interns

Alexander Spalding
Intern
Though originally from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin, Alexander moved south to attend college (and thaw out) at Texas A&M where he graduated in 2014 with a degree in Finance. While in college he interned with Young Life, an organization which has been a large part of his life. From their camps to their finance department, it is where he developed a love of service and Excel spreadsheets. Unsure of the next step after graduation he decided to move to England where he studied Theology and Christian Apologetics at the University of Oxford. Oxford is also where Alexander picked up a fondness for ‘unusual sports’ such as fencing and polo. Back in the U.S. he has recently launched an architectural design business with his brother, following his lifelong dream of being an entrepreneur. He is looking forward to learn firsthand how entities successfully forecast needs to reach focused goals and he is excited to lend his enthusiasm to serve the community and help the Trust meaningfully serve the Pacific Northwest.
Kehlay Dunah
Intern
Kehlay was born in Liberia and grew up in the Chicagoland area. She currently resides in Portland, Oregon and is part of the 2015 Portland Women Fellows Program. She recently graduated from Taylor University, where she earned a degree in media communications with a concentration in public relations (PR). Kehlay enjoys the design, communication and marketing aspects of PR. She is also passionate about leadership and event planning. Since she is not yet sure what her dream job looks like; Kehlay is looking forward to her internship with the Trust as a stepping stone to new work experiences. During her time at Taylor, Kehlay served as a resident assistant, and later, student body president. She also ran track for three years; capping a total of ten years of competitive running. She ran sprints, including the 100m, 200m and 400m dash. Kehlay enjoys teaching others about her African background and loves learning about new cultures. She has an adventurous spirit and hopes to someday travel the world.
Danny Sommers
Intern
Danny recently graduated from Azusa Pacific University in Southern California with a degree in business management. While at APU, he studied in South Africa and China, where he served in underprivileged areas and worked with nonprofit organizations. He is always learning from new experiences, such as counseling blind children in Missouri and interning with a commercial real estate company in Los Angeles. Danny is always looking for the next adventure and loves snowboarding, cliff jumping, and camping and hopes to become a certified skydiver. He is excited to be living in the Pacific Northwest and for his internship with the Murdock Trust.
Jose Cazares
Intern
Jose recently graduated from Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in history. He participated in student government while working as the call team manager with the WPC admissions department, where he later had an internship. Jose was also part of the second group of Act Six scholars who joined WPC in 2011. He came to the United States from Mexico at age 14. Through his work with Latino youth and parents, Jose discovered the many needs that exist in his community, but more importantly, his passion for advocating for those in need and his desire to dedicate his abilities for the bettering of society at large. Throughout his college career, he had the chance to work with nonprofit organizations and activist groups that have shaped the way Jose sees himself as part of society. With a desire to grow and impact his community, Jose will be working on creating a long lasting impact in his professional and personal career as he starts his internship at the Murdock Trust.
Shawna Gordon
Intern
Shawna grew up in Vancouver, Washington and just graduated from George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon with a degree in Christian ministries, concentrating in youth. The last two years at GFU, she served as the women’s basketball team chaplain, a life-changing experience that helped her grow as a person both spiritually and intellectually. Having played basketball her entire life, she finds herself drawn to competition, so it is fitting that she finds rest in a ministry that looks a lot like a gym. Shawna enjoys doing anything outdoors, and most weekends you can find her on a hike, at the beach, or backpacking up a mountain. She enjoys being around friends and family, relaxing by a fire, playing music, or reading a book. Shawna is not entirely sure what the rest of her life is going to look like, but she is excited about this internship at the Murdock Trust.
Colton Smith
Intern
An Oregon native, Colton will be a senior at University of Portland next fall and is working toward a business degree with a double major in operations technology management and marketing. He gained a philanthropic influence from his parents and has a passion for service. Colton loves to stay active by exercising and playing sports like basketball and soccer, as well as skiing in the winter and wakeboarding in the summer; rain or shine, the northwest weather has always suited him. In the community, Colton volunteers often for the Portland Timbers’ nonprofit affiliate AC Portland, doing everything from summer camps to selling raffle tickets at both Timbers and Thorns games. He is active at many sporting events, most notably UP women’s and men’s soccer games. In the future, Colton wants to blend his love of sports and service into a career working for the corporate social responsibility sector of a Northwest sports franchise because he believes in the opportunity and impact athletes can have on a community and its youth.

2014-2015 Interns

Shaleetta Hicks
Intern
Shaleetta is a recent graduate from the University of Richmond with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies titled Health Instruction and Social Justice with a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She is honored to be a recipient of the Gates Millennium Scholarship for undergraduate and future graduate studies. She plans to obtain a Master’s of Public Health degree in partnership with the Peace Corps Master International program. Ultimately, her life goal is to be a founder of a nonprofit organization that uses her loves of public health, social work, and child development to build a bridge between the privileged and the underprivileged. Throughout her college years, she has served as a mentor for underprivileged youth as well as first year college students. She has studied abroad in Denmark, worked and volunteered at various nonprofit organizations domestically as well as internationally, and committed herself to making a difference in whatever community she resides in. She identifies herself as a nomad considering her childhood of moving all over the state of Virginia, thus, home is where her heart is. She has a heart and passion for but not limited to: service, youth empowerment, and advocacy for at-risk populations. In her free time, she loves to laugh, play basketball, read, and sing Gospel music to the top of her lungs. Her desire to pursue nonprofit management brings her to the Trust where she looks to develop foundational knowledge in the grant proposal process, fund development, and networking.
Andrew Brown
Intern
Andrew is currently pursuing a degree in Accounting from the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon. His father is a machine mechanic for a company that manufactures mailing machines and ballot counters and his mother is a claims assistant for a subsidiary of the Oregon State Bar. Andrew has one older brother who works as a personal banker. Andrew enjoys being outside and plays many sports. From snowboarding to tennis to golf, Andrew has taken advantage of the beautiful northwest his entire life. At school, Andrew is on the board of the Accounting Association and the Tennis Club and stays involved at his local church. Upon completion of his senior year, Andrew plans on serving for 27 months with the Peace Corps.
Greta Jarvis
Intern
A native Portlander, Greta is a rising senior studying Latino/a and Latin American Studies with a double minor in Spanish and Public Health at Occidental College in Los Angeles. She spent last summer living in a rural community in Panama as a volunteer with Amigos de las Américas where she helped organize a day camp for youth focusing on health and leadership and mobilize the community to repaint their school and refurbish their cemetery. When she is not travelling, you can find Greta cooking delicious healthy food, playing her harp, reading, listening to country music, or practicing yoga. A certified Spinning® instructor and avid half-marathon runner, Greta is always in search of her next grand adventure.
Lacey Maloney
Intern
Lacey Maloney has just completed her first semester of her senior year at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. She is studying business management and hopes to fulfill a career in nonprofit development in urban cities, specifically with the homeless and low income populations. Lacey has been involved in many different clubs and activities at APU. She organized a fashion show benefit for women in sex trafficking, built an advisory board raising funds and mentorship for the Enactus APU chapter, competes on multiple intramural sports teams, and holds a job at a local ice cream shop. In her free time, Lacey is usually somewhere outside from the ocean to the mountains. She learned to surf this past year, enjoys finding new hikes to go on, and challenges herself to compete in half marathons and the Hood to Coast Relay. She is passionate about serving and has gone on multiple missions trips out of the country and locally. Last summer she interned with a short term missions organization in Portland, Oregon. Lacey was born and raised in small town Oregon. Those endless rainy days began her addiction to caffeine, and will never tire of visiting new and unique coffee shops all around the city.
Samantha Miyauchi
Intern
Growing up in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains with two younger brothers, Samantha (Sam) is an outdoor enthusiast with a love for backpacking, running, rock climbing, and cycling. She also enjoys photography and art of any persuasion. Moving out to Spokane, Washington to attend Whitworth University, she will graduate in the Spring of 2015 with degrees in Economics, International Business, and Spanish. While in college she has been privileged to exercise her love for travel by visiting Indonesia to teach English, and studying abroad in both Costa Rica and Spain. She also volunteers with the children of the Union Gospel Mission’s Women’s and Children’s Crisis Shelter, Anna Ogden Hall and holds a leadership position in the Whitworth Student Investment Group as the Healthcare Sector Head. She hopes to pursue a career that ties together her love for service and community development as well as her interest in economics and finance whether that be domestically or internationally.
Madison Rogers
Intern
Madison is completing an interdisciplinary major focusing on Biblical Studies and Sociology at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. She attended Veritas School, a classical education, for high school and has loved playing volleyball and watching basketball since a young age. She finds joy in planning events and celebrations and has a passion for missions and helping others. She is intrigued by cultural differences and insights and is passionate about meeting people in their own context. Madison is excited about this new chapter and the opportunity to work with the Murdock Trust.
back to top

The Trust guides nonprofit organizations through every level of their development through grants and other resources.

The Trust has a wealth of knowledge and experience that can make all the difference to you and your organization.