About

Karen D’Agostino started Music Resource Center-Cincinnati because of something she noticed while driving through downtown: teenagers with nowhere to go. Sports and academic programs already served many young people. She wanted to reach the ones who didn’t fit either, the kids most at risk of one bad decision changing their course.

She was new to Cincinnati and to nonprofit work, so she learned as she went. She asked questions, listened to people who knew more than she did, and built relationships one at a time. She also paid attention to the practical details that decide whether a program works, like where teens live, how they get there, and what will bring them back.

She built MRC to thrive without her, and it continues to serve Cincinnati’s young people today. Now, through Motivo Advisory, Karen helps other organizations build the same kind of foundation: systems, data, and strategy that carry a mission forward.

KAREN’S STORY

Building MRC

2005–2007

Laying the Groundwork

Saw a need for a safe, engaging place for teens after school and researched local needs, national trends, and successful youth programs, while building a relationship with MRC-Charlottesville. Built connections throughout Cincinnati and developed the knowledge and skills to turn the idea into a sustainable organization.

2007–2009

Founding & opening

Started by conducting teen focus groups and pilot outreach programming to confirm both interest and need, then expanded outreach into local schools. Founded MRC-Cinci as a nonprofit and opened a 3,500-square-foot facility with project rooms, a teaching studio, rehearsal space, and a welcoming lobby where teens could gather, have an after-school snack and get help with homework.

2012

Expansion

Purchased the building MRC had been renting and expanded to 7,990 square feet, added LP-FM radio station, performance venue, and a fully equipped, professional-grade multitrack recording studio.

2009–2020

Growth

Grew MRC into a $371,000-a-year organization with a full staff, board, and volunteer network. More than 4,000 teens were served through the studio and outreach programs, totaling over 30,000 visits.

2018–2020

Succession & merger

When her husband was transferred to New York, Karen began a two-year succession process to ensure MRC would remain strong beyond its founder. She led the board through an exploration of the best path forward — hiring a new Executive Director or pursuing a merger with either a smaller or larger organization — and helped evaluate potential partners and long-term options. When the Cincinnati YMCA, already an MRC programming partner, emerged as a strong fit, Karen enlisted an experienced consultant and pro bono legal counsel to help structure the transition. In 2020, MRC entered a management agreement placing the Y in administrative leadership while Karen moved into a remote Development Director role, ultimately leading to a formal merger agreement.

2020–2021

Leading through COVID

Karen led MRC’s programming staff through the pandemic pivot, quickly moving music instruction online and creating weekly podcasts that gave students and staff opportunities to host, produce, share music, and stay connected with the MRC community. MRC’s studio layout — with multiple separate project rooms — allowed the team to safely welcome teens back in person sooner than many programs. Karen even hand-sewed MRC-branded, music-themed face masks so returning members had high-quality protection.

2021

Passing the torch

When the YMCA’s direction for MRC diverged from her original vision, Karen made the decision to fully step back — trusting the team she’d built to carry the mission forward.

Beyond MRC

2021–2023

Cincinnati ToolBank

Joined Cincinnati ToolBank as Development Director, working alongside former MRC board member Kat Pepmeyer.

2023

The Felix Organization

Joined The Felix Organization as Director of Development, analyzing donor history and capturing institutional knowledge to strengthen fundraising strategy and infrastructure for the future. Also helped launch two major fundraising events, including one in partnership with another nonprofit.

Present

Founding Motivo Advisory

When Karen felt she was at a point in her life where she needed more flexibility, she started exploring new opportunities — and honed in on what made her excited: helping start up new organizations, diving into data to tell an organization’s story, working on events, and being the person who comes in to help an organization figure out what they already have and the amazing work they’re doing, then position them for further growth and success. Once she started doing that work, she realized consulting was what would truly feed her soul — and founded Motivo Advisory to bring that same infrastructure-building approach to organizations across the country.