Experience

Chicago Humanities

• United States
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director Of Development

  • Jan 2021 - Present

  KPI ATTAINMENT & STRONG TEAM LEADERSHIP • Operational Fundraising Expertise: Define, develop, and prioritize the Festival’s $4.5 million annual goal, while building the infrastructure to enable it to exceed pre-pandemic contributed income levels. • Target/Goal Achievement: Achieve all individual/team KPIs through strategic execution, including: o 44% increase in the reactivation of lapsed and SYBNT households. o 25% increase in event sponsorships and paddle-raise gifts. • Strong Team Leadership: Build and empower a high-performing team of development professionals; leveraging everyone’s success and collective genius. INNOVATIVE FUNDRAISER • Sponsorship Engagement: Maximize and generate new sources of funding by creatively and strategically expanding sponsorship opportunities; resulting in eight multi-year commitments and $450K in increased giving across funding sectors. • Event Optimization: Invigorate annual benefit by centering the mission, its impact, and organizational partnerships; exceeded event goal, raising over $740K (25% increase in both event sponsorships and paddle-raise gifts). BUILD & ACTIVATE PHILANTHROPIC CULTURE • Brand Management and Communications: Lead and direct communications strategy that supports fundraising goals and builds brand recognition and visibility for increased investment. • Impact Ambassador: Energize and connect stakeholders and partners toward shared strategic goals and outcomes. • Cross-Functional Team Leader: Build synergy across teams by investing in and advocating for shared goals and collaboratively creating mission-centric donor opportunities and consistency of donor benefit fulfillment with a DEAI lens. • Business Acumen: Cocreated the 2022 Strategic Plan, focusing on financial sustainability ensured by innovative program models and brand awareness. • Donor-Centric Approach: Reshape transactional methodologies into a robust donor-centric giving program resulting in increased investment and activation.



Step Up

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director Of Development

  • Apr 2019 - Jun 2020

  KPI ATTAINMENT & STRONG TEAM LEADERSHIP • Operational Fundraising Expertise: Spearheaded fundraising in Chicago and Dallas; liaising with the CEO, National SVP of Development, Executive Directors, and local teams to maximize revenue outcomes through corporate, foundation, events, and individual support. • Brand Management and Communications: Expanded and engaged stakeholders to support the organization’s work through brand amplification, positioning as an investment of choice, and diversification of messaging for increased investment. • Nimble Adaptation to Market Conditions: Transformed national calendar year-end campaign, raising 19% more with a 22% increase in average gift size. Promoted to lead individual giving strategy and its implementation nationally. • Mentoring & Coaching: Served as the senior leader for the Chicago chapter, mentoring six team members. Empowered volunteers and team members with communications and tools to serve as effective messengers and ambassadors for the organization. BOARD DEVELOPMENT & RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT • Partnered with regional Boards, presenting strategic development plans at Board meetings with 1x1 coaching and support to achieve fundraising results, i.e., Board Retreat exercise (game) equated to over 250 new prospects. • Cultivated and secured five new Board members, resulting in 25% Board growth in the first year.



Chicago Children's Museum

• United States
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Individual Giving

  • May 2015 - Apr 2019

  COLLABORATIVE LEADER • Coalition Builder : Promoted, managed the individual giving team and Leadership Board, activated the Board of Directors, senior leadership, and program and community partnership teams for maximum donor/member connectivity. • Volunteer Engagement: Mobilized the Leadership Board, surpassing fundraising goal by 69%, event goal by 23%, and raising $175K in new capital support. MOVES MANAGEMENT • Engagement Strategist: Overhauled individual giving program, creating, and executing a coherent, aligned, and compelling organizational advancement strategy while exponentially increasing ROI. • Capacity Building: Engineered an aggressive acquisition plan encompassing data analysis and screening, segmentation, personalization, and a revamp of all digital messaging and print materials, resulting in: o 22% growth in donor households for both FY17 and FY18 with a 21% growth in giving in both fiscal years. o 77% increase in new donors in FY18 with a 75% increase in contributions, 45% renewed in FY19 (nat. avg 19%). o 169% growth in SYBNT contributions; 81% growth in the number of renewed lapsed donors, contributions up by 132%.



Goodman Theatre

• United States
• Performing Arts
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Campaign Manager

  • Jul 2012 - May 2015

  CAMPAIGN EXPERTISE • Endowment: Directed and achieved the last $5 million of a $15 million endowment campaign (raised $2.5M in the first year). • Capital: Strategized launch of a new capital campaign with senior leadership and Trustees for the Center for Education and Engagement, secured $11.6 million in 16 months. MAJOR GIFTS AND PLANNED GIVING OFFICER • Portfolio and Moves Management: Exceeded stretch goal, raising 155% more than the prior fiscal year. • Board Giving: Devised and executed a comprehensive board fundraising strategy, paced 200% ahead of the prior fiscal year. • Optimized Planned Giving Program: Activated portfolio of $5.8M in pledges and executed annual estate planning seminar.



Writers Theatre

• Performing Arts
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Individual Giving and Special Events

  • Aug 2009 - Jul 2012

  • Co-led launch of a $32 million capital campaign; managed annual budgets and daily operations for a team of five. • Devised and executed overhaul of individual giving program; raised $1.7 million, a 15% increase and 44% of overall budget. • Spearheaded all high-level events, including luncheons, destination tours, and annual gala, which resulted in three successive years of record-breaking event profits (i.e., gala netted $519K in FY12 vs. $365K in FY11). • Directed all department-generated communications, and co-managed magazine with the marketing director.



Next Theatre Company

• Audience and Donor Services Manager

  • Aug 2006 - Aug 2009

  • Increased contributed income by 25% through expanded and diversified campaign reach. • Achieved a 55% increase in annual gala revenue, and reduced expenses by 20% via eight new community partnerships. • Increased contributed income by 25% through expanded and diversified campaign reach. • Achieved a 55% increase in annual gala revenue, and reduced expenses by 20% via eight new community partnerships.



Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile

• United States
• Hospitality
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Guest Services Manager

  • May 2002 - Aug 2006

  • Promoted, managed a team of 40; ensured daily operations, budget, payroll, hiring, training, and professional development. • Awarded Outstanding Leadership, September 2005 and December 2005, and Employee of the Quarter, December 2003. • Promoted, managed a team of 40; ensured daily operations, budget, payroll, hiring, training, and professional development. • Awarded Outstanding Leadership, September 2005 and December 2005, and Employee of the Quarter, December 2003.