Experience

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Heart of Georgia

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

• President and CEO

  • Jun 2019 - Present



Fitzgerald Consulting

• Insurance
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Principal

  • Aug 2006 - Present

  Skilled nonprofit and art management leader specializing in program development, fundraising, and board development projects for nonprofit and arts organizations. Skilled nonprofit and art management leader specializing in program development, fundraising, and board development projects for nonprofit and arts organizations.



RiverCenter Inc.

• Director Of Development

  • Aug 2017 - May 2019

  • Work closely with Executive Director and Board of Trustees to create and execute fundraising plans using annual fund development, sponsorships, grant writing, on-going planned giving, and special projects while overseeing one part-time employee and working with a variety of volunteers.• Currently at 83% of annual fundraising goal, in addition to raising $157,500 in special project/capital funding. • Increased gift size by 23.63% from current individual donors over previous fiscal year while increasing the number of new donors by 66%. Current attrition (member/donor loss rate) is at an all-time low of 2.94%, compared to 7.14% two years ago.• Surpassed the last two fiscal year’s sponsorship goals, including successfully negotiating five and six figure sponsorships and multi-year agreements. In first year of position, increased gift size of current sponsors 18.4% while reactivating lapsed sponsors, resulting in recovering over $56,000. Corporate donations increased 7.28% over previous fiscal year.



United Way of Central Georgia

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

• Vice President of Leadership Giving and Major Gifts

  • Jul 2013 - Feb 2017

  • Developed and managed a portfolio of over 200 individual leadership donors, enhancing the donor’s connection and loyalty to United Way. Results included acquiring new donors, increasing gift size from current donors, and slowing donor churn. Increased average new gift amount to $1,222 (compared to typical $1,000 entry level), and increased the average upgraded gift amount to $1,815.• Increased Alexis de Tocqueville Society membership ($10,000+ donors) by reactivating former donors and upgrading donors to this giving level.• Developed and managed special projects including the creation of the women’s and retiree affinity groups, oversaw targeted campaigns for corporate and individual professionals, facilitated and directed special events and select organizational programs, and rebuilt planned giving and endowment campaigns.• Oversaw allocations panel, advising volunteers on funding recommendations to allocate more than $4 million annually.• Designed and implemented highly customized donor and sponsor engagement plans in collaboration with other Development and Community Impact Staff, resulting in increased corporate and individual support that continually exceeded annual organizational fundraising goals including raising the most money in organizational history at the close of the 2015 campaign.



Mercer University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Executive Director, The Grand Opera House

  • Sep 2010 - May 2013

  • Supervised Grand Opera House operations, including the management of numerous staff members, technical staff, and independent contractors; programming three series of professional shows (Broadway, Variety, and arts education); cultivating rental opportunities; and creating operating and project budgets.• Supervised Mercer Ticket Sales operations, including ticketing for Mercer University athletics, arts and campus events as well as numerous outside events throughout Central Georgia.• Presented culturally diverse programming, strengthening The Grand’s relationships with the African-American and Latino communities.• Oversaw all fundraising activities, including securing individual and corporate gifts, sponsorships, annual and capital campaigns, and grants. Exceeded past donor and sponsorship fundraising goals, securing the two largest sponsors in GOH’s history and increasing sponsorship revenue by 33%.• Worked extensively with Board of Governors, a 40-person advisory board, and collaborated with numerous local and regional organizations to promote the activities of the GOH. • Directed the successful integration of an advanced ticketing system. Created new revenue from growth of ticketing services to regional organizations while providing statistical analysis benefiting marketing, sponsorships, and customer interactions. Increased ticket distribution to more than 120,000 tickets per year, a 23% increase from 2011 to 2013.• Integrated new donor cultivation initiatives including Bravo, a fundraising program and social networking organization in support of the GOH resulting in 80+ new young adult donors in its first year, and the Grand Tumbler program, which raised more than $25,000 between 2011-13. • Professionalized GOH staff and volunteer corps including extensive customer service training to improve patron satisfaction; implemented stricter financial policies and procedures.



Virginia Chorale

• Musicians
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Sep 2006 - Mar 2009

  • Oversaw all executive functions for 20-member choral ensemble of professional singers, three staff members and volunteer guild. Worked closely with Board of Directors and Music Director; played critical role in Music Director search during 2007-08 season.• Introduced new annual campaign and special project development plans resulting in a 59% increase from previous year in total contributions during first year. The following year, increased individual contributions by 43.9%. • Created and successfully implemented new marketing plan for organization resulting in a 69.1% increase in single and subscription ticket sales between FY 2007 and FY 2008. • Expanded current foundation and corporate funding opportunities. During tenure, organization received largest grant awards in its history from state and local arts commissions as well as new grant monies. • Expanded educational offerings, including high school workshops, master classes, student and adult summer programs, and the Young Singers Project. • Authored and implemented organizational human resource guidelines and financial procedures. • Assisted in coordinating Virginia Festival of American Voices, supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Festival included 11 concerts, commission and performance of new work by Dan Locklair, and live broadcast on WHRO-TV and Radio (local PBS affiliate).



Vivace Performing Arts Program

• Executive Director

  • Nov 2000 - Jul 2006

  • Created performing arts program on U.S. Air Force Base, bringing quality arts programming to students with limited opportunities.• Managed a varying staff roster and 100+ volunteer group of teachers and artists. • Planned concerts, workshops, camps and events for education, outreach, and development while overseeing board development activities and strategic and financial planning.• Maintained vital communication among organization, military leadership, and local Japanese community. • Spearheaded development activities including grant writing, donor and corporate sponsorship cultivation, and special events while adhering to strict Department of Defense regulations.• Received numerous awards and recognition for leadership including 2004 “Woman of the Year” from Yokota Air Base leadership for dedication to improving the quality of life for the Yokota community.



USO Yokota

• Director

  • 2002 - 2003

  • Supervised planning and management of USO operations and programs on five military installations in Mainland Japan. • Successfully planned and executed fundraising program. Developed corporate sponsorship opportunities and special events including gala fundraiser while overseeing four employees and large American and Japanese volunteer group. • Secured corporate sponsorship from American and Japanese businesses and organizations including Coca-Cola, MCI WorldCom, Northwest Airlines, and AIG. • Maintained vital communication between base commanders and the USO Mainland Japan Council, a Board of Directors overseeing USO operations in the Tokyo region. • Supervised financial planning including budgets for local offices.