Gretchen Wilson-Prangley

Gretchen Wilson-Prangley is a seasoned development executive and social impact leader with nearly two decades of experience building philanthropic capacity and driving organizational growth across Africa and the United States. As Director of Development at the World Affairs Council, she leads fundraising strategy, donor relations, and partnership development in service of the Council's mission to advance global understanding and cultivate an informed, engaged community.

Gretchen's career reflects a distinctive arc from storyteller to institution builder. She began as Africa Correspondent for American Public Media's Marketplace, developing a deep fluency in cross-cultural communication and global affairs that continues to shape her approach to philanthropy. As Founder and CEO of Play Africa, she built an award-winning early learning organization in post-apartheid South Africa. Most recently, she served as Chief Advancement Officer at Imagine Children's Museum, where she directed comprehensive fundraising, external relations, and communications for one of the Pacific Northwest's most prominent cultural institutions. Known for connecting donors' deepest values with opportunities for transformational change, Gretchen brings strategic vision, international perspective, and a genuine commitment to lasting impact to everything she leads. Outside of work, she is a painter and a global advocate for children's learning and development through play.