Experience

Epilepsy Alliance America

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Operating Officer (COO)

  • Aug 2021 - Present

  As COO of Epilepsy Alliance America, I am responsible for the professional leadership and management of the organization. I am spearheading the further development of our role as a national organization that provides direct services, outreach, education, and advocacy to individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders and their families. I work in partnership with the Board of Directors and volunteer leaders to move us forward in the development and implementation of internal and external goals that reflect the organization’s vision and mission. I provide overall support for strategy, organizational development, financial oversight, and fundraising. I act as an advocate for individuals with epilepsy/seizure disorders and keep abreast of new developments in the field of epilepsy. Show less



National MS Society

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Vice President - Community Leadership

  • Dec 2018 - Nov 2020

  Directly supervised 12 chapter presidents from coast to coast with a combined revenue goal of $45 million. Ensured executive presence throughout the country by coaching staff to provide consistent leadership, active engagement of board members and corporate sponsors and supporting Society’s cultural values. Provided interim leadership for three California chapters during president staff transitions managing multi-generational teams. Recruited, hired and coached new executive leaders for each chapter. Show less

• President - New Jersey Metro Chapter

  • Jan 2016 - Apr 2019

  Directed fundraising, program and finance functions of the $3.5 million New Jersey Metro chapter including building capacity of chapter board of trustees. Directly managed portfolio of major gifts donors, mid-level donors, corporate partners and top fundraisers for peer-to-peer fundraising events. Directed and collaborated with chapter team to develop integrated portfolio management of current supporters and to create a pipeline of future donors. Led chapter staff and volunteer leaders through organizational change from a chapter-centric structure to a functionally aligned reporting structure. Show less



American Liver Foundation

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director, Greater New York Division

  • Nov 2013 - Dec 2015

  Recruited to lead staff team and regional Board to meet the revenue and programmatic goals of the Greater New York Division, including three Liver Life Walks, a Gala and Challenge Team events. Identified and secured liver specialists for an active and engaged Medical Advisory committee to implement patient and public education initiatives. Recruited to lead staff team and regional Board to meet the revenue and programmatic goals of the Greater New York Division, including three Liver Life Walks, a Gala and Challenge Team events. Identified and secured liver specialists for an active and engaged Medical Advisory committee to implement patient and public education initiatives.



Foundation Fighting Blindness

• United States
• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Regional Director, Events

  • Oct 2012 - Jul 2013

  Actively drove the goals and strategy of the Events Team (East) to raise revenue through VisionWalks, Dining in the Dark Dinners and other special events. Responsible for $6.1 million in revenue through direct management of twelve event team members. Directly managed four honoree dinners in Spring 2013. Worked with C-level honorees and volunteers to raise $1,400,000 through four events – two in New York City, one in Boston and one in Philadelphia. Implemented new strategies around live auctions and ‘raise the paddle’ activities to generate over $150,000 in new revenue for these events. Show less



Susan G. Komen New Jersey

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations

• Executive Director

  • Jun 2010 - Mar 2012

  Served as first salaried Executive Director of fifteen-year old North Jersey Affiliate. Managed a staff of eight to generate annual revenue of $2.4 million and manage $1.1 million community grants portfolio. Reported directly to Affiliate Board and served as Affiliate’s primary liaison to the Komen National office. Increased Race for the Cure Revenue from $1,400,000 to $1,515,000 in 2011 – the first positive revenue increase for the North Jersey Affiliate in the four years of Race history. Decreased general/administration and fundraising expenses by 16% in one year - a decrease from 38% to 22%. Led the Community Profile (community needs assessment) team, Utilized results to implement changes to program management and the grant making process to ensure more focus on screening, treatment and outcomes. Show less



Autism Speaks

• Non-profit Organizations
• 200 - 300 Employee

• National Director of Field Operations

  • Oct 2006 - Jun 2010

  Led field operations department of 65+ staff to generate annual revenue of $28 million. Built a cadre of volunteers in 80 markets across the United States who can implement Autism Speaks' national mission at the local level. Provided strategic vision & implementation of department structure to meet rapidly-changing needs of an entrepreneurial organization. Cultivated relationships with community-based leadership volunteers. Provided guidance to both volunteers and staff to build trusting collaborative partnerships. Increased walk revenue from $18.1 million in 2007 to $25 million in 2009 through a combination of new markets and building on existing events through the implementation of best practices in the areas of volunteer-staff partnerships, community outreach, recruitment and retention and committee development. In 2009 assumed responsibility for Community Events activities including Marathon program, local special events nation-wide and third-party fundraising. Increased net revenue over 10% in challenging economic environment by focusing on high return activities as well as cutting production costs over 25% on repeat events. Increased workplace giving campaign results 100% in 2009 through integration efforts with field operations as well as increasing the number of campaigns in which Autism Speaks participates. Led strategic initiative to build a chapter-based organization. Hired seven Executive Directors in key metro markets. Worked with three markets to seat founding boards utilizing ad hoc nominations and recruitment committees. Oversaw the inception of programmatic initiatives embodied at the local level creating volunteer positions for advocacy, family services and science to facilitate field support for national programmatic objectives at the chapter level. Managed annual field operations expense budget of $12 million. Led the implementation of a 5% expense reduction across the department in 2009. Show less



National Alliance for Autism Research (legacy organization of Autism Speaks)

• Princeton, NJ

• National Walk Director

  • Sep 2001 - Oct 2006

  Provided both the strategic plan and daily tactical efforts to ensure the overall success of the Walk program. Increased revenue from $3 million (2001) to $12 million (2006). Grew the Walk calendar from 11 events (2001) to 43 (2006). Directly developed 20+ new markets across the country. Identified, recruited and trained Walk committee leadership and members. Assessed community readiness as needed. Provided ongoing leadership and management to volunteer leadership and staff managers. Increased department staff from 2 (2001) to 40 (2006), continually refining and developing staffing structure as capacity grew. Provided hands-on management for transitions from nationally to locally supported markets. Designed and implemented staff trainings. Opened 12 field offices in key markets. Active participant in the change management process during the merger with Autism Speaks. Show less



American Heart Association

• United States
• Wellness and Fitness Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Regional Director

  • Aug 1996 - Sep 2001

  Managed North Jersey Region of the Heritage Affiliate. Supervised five regional fundraising staff and four administrative professionals. Exceeded annual revenue goal (2000) of $1,250,000 with double-digit growth. Led a cross-functional team of program and development staff to meet the overall mission goals of the organization in the seven county north Jersey market. Recruited a founding Board of twenty community and medical leaders through prospecting, networking and the development of an ad-hoc nominations and recruitment committee. Membership included CEOs, Presidents, and other senior level management from major New Jersey corporations and medical centers. Met the American Heart Walk national benchmark for Top Metros to raise $1,000,000+ by 2001. Provided hands-on management of the Newark Metro (Morris, Essex, Union counties) walk program growing net walk revenue from $380,000 in1998 to $525,000 in 1999 to $890,000 in 2000. Identified, prospected, recruited and cultivated relationship with President of ADP. ADP was the Number One American Heart Walk Team in the country (1999, 2000), increasing revenue annually from $5,000 in 1997 to $130,000 in 1999 and $170,000 in 2000 through participation of the north Jersey ADP offices. Established annual North Jersey Affair of the Heart Gala. Identified and secured honorees from both medical and corporate sectors. Generated over $300,000 (net) in two cycles of the event. Show less