Guirlaine Ritha Belizaire
Vice President, Diversity Equity and Inclusion at Development Guild DDI- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Cara Haberman
Guirlaine is a wonderful team player who contributes immensely to every group she works with. In particular, she brings with her the best people skills I've ever seen, a huge talent for event planning - down to the last, beautiful detail - and a calming influence that helps keep everyone on track and happy at work. It is a pleasure being her colleague.
Michelle Weber
To attend an event organized by Guirlaine is to feel cared for, and to know that every detail, from the invitation to the music to the placement of the silverware has been carefully designed to create an evening that is both deeply enjoyable and deeply inspiring. She doesn't simply organize events, she creates experiences. To work with Guirlaine is to feel supported as a colleague, and to know that your unique skills and talents and professional growth always factor into the decision making. You can be confident that every eventuality has been accounted for, that she is wide open to your ideas, and that your contribution will be acknowledged and appreciated. I have never worked with anyone as committed and collected as Guirlaine. She handles sticky vendor relationships and inevitable snafus with incredible grace, and her poise creates an aura of calm that extends to all those around her. Every person she deals with comes away feeling valued, which is a rare gift. I can only hope to have the opportunity to work with her again one day, or at least to attend one of her events - any organization would be incredibly lucky to have her.
Cara Haberman
Guirlaine is a wonderful team player who contributes immensely to every group she works with. In particular, she brings with her the best people skills I've ever seen, a huge talent for event planning - down to the last, beautiful detail - and a calming influence that helps keep everyone on track and happy at work. It is a pleasure being her colleague.
Michelle Weber
To attend an event organized by Guirlaine is to feel cared for, and to know that every detail, from the invitation to the music to the placement of the silverware has been carefully designed to create an evening that is both deeply enjoyable and deeply inspiring. She doesn't simply organize events, she creates experiences. To work with Guirlaine is to feel supported as a colleague, and to know that your unique skills and talents and professional growth always factor into the decision making. You can be confident that every eventuality has been accounted for, that she is wide open to your ideas, and that your contribution will be acknowledged and appreciated. I have never worked with anyone as committed and collected as Guirlaine. She handles sticky vendor relationships and inevitable snafus with incredible grace, and her poise creates an aura of calm that extends to all those around her. Every person she deals with comes away feeling valued, which is a rare gift. I can only hope to have the opportunity to work with her again one day, or at least to attend one of her events - any organization would be incredibly lucky to have her.
Cara Haberman
Guirlaine is a wonderful team player who contributes immensely to every group she works with. In particular, she brings with her the best people skills I've ever seen, a huge talent for event planning - down to the last, beautiful detail - and a calming influence that helps keep everyone on track and happy at work. It is a pleasure being her colleague.
Michelle Weber
To attend an event organized by Guirlaine is to feel cared for, and to know that every detail, from the invitation to the music to the placement of the silverware has been carefully designed to create an evening that is both deeply enjoyable and deeply inspiring. She doesn't simply organize events, she creates experiences. To work with Guirlaine is to feel supported as a colleague, and to know that your unique skills and talents and professional growth always factor into the decision making. You can be confident that every eventuality has been accounted for, that she is wide open to your ideas, and that your contribution will be acknowledged and appreciated. I have never worked with anyone as committed and collected as Guirlaine. She handles sticky vendor relationships and inevitable snafus with incredible grace, and her poise creates an aura of calm that extends to all those around her. Every person she deals with comes away feeling valued, which is a rare gift. I can only hope to have the opportunity to work with her again one day, or at least to attend one of her events - any organization would be incredibly lucky to have her.
Cara Haberman
Guirlaine is a wonderful team player who contributes immensely to every group she works with. In particular, she brings with her the best people skills I've ever seen, a huge talent for event planning - down to the last, beautiful detail - and a calming influence that helps keep everyone on track and happy at work. It is a pleasure being her colleague.
Michelle Weber
To attend an event organized by Guirlaine is to feel cared for, and to know that every detail, from the invitation to the music to the placement of the silverware has been carefully designed to create an evening that is both deeply enjoyable and deeply inspiring. She doesn't simply organize events, she creates experiences. To work with Guirlaine is to feel supported as a colleague, and to know that your unique skills and talents and professional growth always factor into the decision making. You can be confident that every eventuality has been accounted for, that she is wide open to your ideas, and that your contribution will be acknowledged and appreciated. I have never worked with anyone as committed and collected as Guirlaine. She handles sticky vendor relationships and inevitable snafus with incredible grace, and her poise creates an aura of calm that extends to all those around her. Every person she deals with comes away feeling valued, which is a rare gift. I can only hope to have the opportunity to work with her again one day, or at least to attend one of her events - any organization would be incredibly lucky to have her.
Credentials
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The Art of Dying: Integrative Thanatology Certificate of Completion
The New York Open Center's Art of Dying InstituteFeb, 2022- Nov, 2024
Experience
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Development Guild DDI
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Vice President, Diversity Equity and Inclusion
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Feb 2023 - Present
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Senior Consultant
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Jan 2022 - Feb 2023
In committed service to and partnership with a variety of nonprofit organizations doing extraordinary work, privileged to be part of the Development Guild DDI team dedicated to diversity equity and inclusion, engaging in executive search, delivering strategic fundraising assessments and recommendations, and providing exceptional campaign counsel (ranging from feasibility study to implementation) to grow and ensure fundraising and engagement success.
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Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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200 - 300 Employee
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Major Gifts Officer
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Mar 2017 - Dec 2021
•With limited resources and little administrative support, put in place foundational major gifts systems and processes and then designed and implemented judicious, highly personalized individual plans for a committed group of high-capacity donor partners, patiently and persistently nurturing relationships that resulted in greater engagement, retention and an overall increase in giving by 49%, with individual upgrades in support ranging from 7% to 1400%. •Committed to the human-centered approach, continue to build strong philanthropic partnerships with exceptional, compassionate individuals anchored in deep listening, purposefully engaging donors in ways that are unique and truly meaningful, and endeavoring always to surprise and delight with tangible expressions of relevance and profound gratitude while also educating and demonstrating impact - cultivation of the donor and responsible stewardship of their generosity. •Strategically and meticulously design, manage and fully leverage select cultivation events to effectively and respectfully help guide donor partners (as they are ready and inclined) closer in relationship to the organization. •Initiate contact and collaborative ties with the program staff to garner and collect compelling stories and projects to match donors' expressed interests and deepest philanthropic passions with viable funding opportunities. •Cultivate and identify donor partners capable of making a significant planned gift in addition to, or in lieu of, a major gift. Show less
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Cambridge in America
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United States
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Higher Education
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1 - 100 Employee
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Donor Relations Manager
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Sep 2014 - Mar 2017
Cambridge in America (CAm) is the alumni, development and communications center for the American constituents of Cambridge University and its thirty-one member Colleges. •Built a sophisticated, donor-centric, highly personalized donor relations program for distinguished volunteers (Board), principal ($1,000,000+) and major ($100,000+) donors to ensure retention, trust, engagement, and heightened philanthropy. •Wrote meaningful acknowledgements geared specifically to each donor partner- over 500 unique acknowledgements created. •Constructed strategic, comprehensive stewardship plans for top prospects for consistent movement up the donor pyramid. •Managed impactful reporting, clearly demonstrating return on philanthropic investment, further engaging and creating the groundwork for continued and increased support. •Directed donor recognition, devising creative and pertinent modes of publicly acknowledging major and transformative gifts. Show less
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TANENBAUM
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United States
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Civic and Social Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Events and Donor Relations Manager
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Mar 2009 - Sep 2014
Tanenbaum promotes mutual respect with practical programs that bridge religious difference and combat prejudice. •Efficiently and strategically led every aspect of several key special events (including signature gala) generating over $650,000 (approximately one-third of the annual budget).These events (from 30 - 250+ attendees with budgets of $5,000 - $180,000+) met or exceeded revenue and major donor acquisition goals by as much as twofold. •Events, consistently recognized for excellence by Board, senior leadership and major donors, took place at venues that included private residences, luxury boutiques (such as LALIQUE), exquisite hotels (Plaza Hotel, Pierre hotel, Mandarin Oriental Hotel) and hip, unique spaces (such as Rubin Museum of Art, The 8th Floor, and Carnegie Hall). •Solicited gifts ($5,000+) from individuals (including Board) and in-kind donations from corporations. •Seamlessly, judiciously, and effectively managed up (CEO, Board) and down (fellow staff, vendors, consultants, and volunteers) to ensure all were always informed as to timelines and remained firmly on task. •Stewarded and built relationships with a portfolio of donor partners (including Young Professionals and Women’s Group), resulting in higher first-time gifts (over $1,000), and retention/decreased attrition, and increased giving. •Generated detailed prospect and donor research (using tools as RelSci and WealthEngine) to fully and effectively build relationships. •Managed direct mail campaign (from 900 – 20,000+ pieces), overseeing vendors while simultaneously conceiving, writing, editing, and designing appeal letters that generated over $50,000 in revenue yearly. •Reconstructed the database (DonorPerfect), upgrading and integrating the system. Trained and supervised staff to improve accuracy for optimal data analysis, maximizing income from effective segmentation and strategic planning. Show less
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UNICEF USA
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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700 & Above Employee
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Coordinator, NGOs
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Jul 2003 - Aug 2008
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the US. •Supported 60 U.S.-based international NGOs (such as Kiwanis and Lions Clubs), generating over $3 million annually. •Wrote funding proposals and donor reports leading to new and lucrative partnership opportunities. •Delivered public speeches, created compelling PowerPoint presentations and led workshops to increase brand awareness and strengthen relationships resulting in higher giving and deeper engagement. •Engaged in the conception and implementation of strategic priorities to ensure donor retention. •Managed mailings, donor database, gift processing, and personalized donor acknowledgement. •Supervised and trained interns, temporary staff, and volunteers. Show less
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Children's Scholarship Fund
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New York
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Developement Associate
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Jun 2000 - Apr 2003
Children's Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to families in need so children can attend K-8 schools. •Upgraded gift processing to ensure accounting accuracy for donors and auditors. •Organized annual Board meeting, donor cultivation events, and staff development conferences. •Collaborated with president to develop donor cultivation and solicitation strategies. •Managed database (DonorPerfect) of over several thousand prospects and donors. •Oversaw and stewarded a separate donor-designated fund of $30,000 for scholarship recipients with exigent needs. Show less
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SCIENCE AND MATH TEACHER
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Sep 1998 - Jun 1999
•Developed and instructed curricula for intellectually and culturally diverse student population, creatively incorporating technology and other resources to address all learning styles. •Initiated, organized, and led professional development workshops. •Developed and instructed curricula for intellectually and culturally diverse student population, creatively incorporating technology and other resources to address all learning styles. •Initiated, organized, and led professional development workshops.
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The Hewitt School
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United States
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Primary and Secondary Education
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100 - 200 Employee
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SCIENCE TEACHER
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Sep 1995 - Jun 1997
•Developed and instructed curricula for intellectually and culturally diverse student population, creatively incorporating technology and other resources to address all learning styles. •Initiated, organized, and led professional development workshops. •Developed and instructed curricula for intellectually and culturally diverse student population, creatively incorporating technology and other resources to address all learning styles. •Initiated, organized, and led professional development workshops.
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Education
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Hofstra University
Master of Art, Biology -
University of Rochester
Bachelor of Science, Molecular Genetics -
The Story Skills Workshop
STR Certificate Granted, Seth Godin's Akimbo Workshops