Director of Development

• Apr 2022 - Present

The University of Denver College of Law opened its doors in 1892, laying the foundation for legal education on America’s frontier and graduating many of the attorneys and judges who built the legal structure of the Mountain West. As a recognized leader in experiential learning, Denver Law is the only law school in the nation with 3 Top 10 Practical Training programs. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report, our Legal Writing (#6), Clinical Training (#8) and Trial Advocacy (#10) programs provide the foundation for producing practice-ready graduates with the practical skills needed for a successful legal career. As Director of Development, Major Gifts for the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, responsibilities include: Managing a dynamic portfolio of 100+ alum and donors dedicated to elevating the law student experience through increased scholarship funding, programmatic and faculty enhancements, and expanded philanthropic support for Denver Law and University-wide campaign priorities. Qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting alum and prospective donors capable of making significant investments in Denver Law. Coordinating local and regional alumni events to foster a sense of camaraderie and pride in Denver Law alum along the Front Range and across the country. Show less

Major Gifts Officer

• Jun 2020 - Mar 2022

The Dumb Friends League, headquartered in Denver, is the largest community-based animal welfare organization in the Rocky Mountain region and one of the largest in the country.Flattening the Major and Planned Giving Program based on staffing and the needs of the organization during the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, my focus shifted from leading a team of fundraisers to increasing my annual financial goals and driving revenue to the League and its various programs including Solutions - Veterinary Hospital, the San Luis Valley Animal Shelter, and the donor-subsidized veterinary hospital at the National Western Center (housed in the Vida building on the CSU Spur campus) in partnership with Colorado State University.Managed a dynamic portfolio of 175 major donors and major gift prospects with an annual revenue goal of $1M+;Identified, qualified, and cultivated annual and mid-level donors capable of making gift of $10,000+ to support the mission of the Dumb Friends League;Solicited and stewarded major donors for gifts ranging from $10,000 - $100,000+;Created unique donor experiences to illustrate the impact of their donations including tours of League facilities and meetings with key staff members including League executive leadership. Show less

Manager of Major and Planned Giving

• Jan 2019 - Jun 2020

Coordinated a team of three gift officers focused on mid-level ($1,000 - $4,999), major ($5,000+), and planned gifts for a total of $4.6M (mid-level + major) and $3.35M in FY2020;Created and managed the portfolio system for the major and mid-level giving officers as well as the VP of Development and President/CEO;Identified, qualified, cultivated, solicited, and stewarded a personal portfolio of 100+ donor households capable of making major gifts ($5,000+);Collaborate with the Marketing and Events teams to create unique donor experiences as part of current and new Dumb Friends League events. Show less

Major Gifts Officer

• Jan 2018 - Jan 2019

The Morris Animal Foundation works every day to improve and protect the health of animals through scientific innovation, education and inspiration. The Foundation is committed to fighting animal diseases worldwide in species ranging from cats and dogs to horses and alpacas; amphibians and wildcats to anteaters and elephants. As a Major Gifts Officer on the Major and Planned Giving Team, I qualified, developed, and stewarded supporters (current and prospective) in the $10,000+range across the country. My primary territories included Colorado, California, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming although as a team, donor prospects are qualified and assigned outside of those regions. Show less

Director of Development & Public Affairs

• Aug 2015 - Oct 2017

Urban Peak serves youth between the ages of 15 through 24 who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless by providing essential services including Street Outreach, a Drop-In Center, Youth Shelter, Education & Employment Programs, and Housing Programs. Member of the Senior Leadership Team responsible for organizational oversight including policy review and implementation, budgeting, and overall agency health. Manage and member of team of 8 staff members who are responsible for Marketing / Communications, Volunteer Management, Grants Management, and Individual / Corporate / Foundation Fundraising. Marketing / Communications: Urban Peak + Third Party Event Logistics, Marketing and Communications, Agency Brand Standards, and Messaging. Volunteer Management: Group + Individual Volunteer Opportunities at Urban Peak facilities (Drop-In Center, Shelter, Education & Employment Program) Grants Management: Private, Foundation, and Government Grants (Federal / State / City) Individual / Corporate / Foundation Fundraising: Stewardship + Donor Relations, Solicitation of Mid-Level to Major Gifts, Campaign + Appeal Generation (concept to final product) Show less

Director of Development

• Jan 2012 - Jul 2015

Management of annual fundraising plan including donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation; engage various constituencies in tandem with Pro Bono Director. Develop case for support (overall and individual unit) for corporate, foundation, and major gift solicitation. Training and engagement of Board members, Foundation Board members, and Board committees in varied capacities including resource development, governance, agency marketing, donor stewardship, and annual and planned giving. Manage Board and Foundation Board members, meetings, agendas, meeting minutes, and committees to ensure performance and action on behalf of JALA. Monitor adherence to American Bar Association standards and organizational by-laws. Coordination of electronic and print marketing including the agency's annual report, direct mail solicitation, electronic e-solicitation, agency website, and media relationships. Maintain eTapestry donor database to ensure prompt and accurate donor records; process donations and donor acknowledgement letters; report to the Board Fundraising Chair prior to all board meetings on status of fundraising campaigns. Plan and implement annual agency fundraising event (via Board and Event Committee engagement); liaison to voluntary bar associations and external community groups for external events including law-firm-sponsored fundraisers (raising money on behalf of JALA without direct staff support). Show less

Director of Development

• Sep 2008 - Dec 2011

Creation and execution of annual fundraising plan including individual, corporate, and foundation relationships to meet or exceed budgeted Council goals.Steward and engage portfolio of donors to increase annual contributions and interactions with Girl Scouts of Gateway Council.Plan and implement annual fundraising luncheon (Women of Distinction); coordinate logistics including sponsorship, honorees recruitment and stewardship, staff leadership, and volunteer co-chairs and committee management.Management and supervision of two Development Managers (located in Jacksonville & Gainesville); mentor in terms of professional development, monitor progress in reaching annual fundraising goals as set by the staff and approved by the Board of Directors)Engage Board members, staff, and volunteers in fundraising efforts (Culture of Philanthropy)Participation as member of Director’s Workgroup to ensure Council Strategic Plan is successfully carried out; prioritize annual and 3-year goals.Responsible for oversight and maintenance or Raiser’s Edge database including data entry and donor acknowledgement. Show less

Fund Development Manager

• Jan 2007 - Sep 2008

Manage donor portfolio to increase annual contributions to reach fundraising goals.Participate in planning and execution of GSGC's Capital Campaign (North Fork Development, new Girl Scout camp property); site tours, solicitation of structured capital campaign contributions.Plan and execute annual fundraising event [Women of Distinction] in terms of sponsor solicitation, logistics, hotel and catering liaison, and day-of event staff monitoring.Manage data entry into Blackbaud Raiser's Edge donor software; generate timely and accurate donor acknowledgement communication. Show less

Fund Development Specialist

• Aug 2005 - Jan 2007

Project Coordinator, Children's Miracle Network

• Aug 2003 - Aug 2005

Manage and administer Raiser’s Edge database for Gainesville/Ocala, Tallahassee, and West Palm Beach markets – input and maintain donor information gathered from Radiothons, Dance Marathons, national and local sponsors Initiated monthly giving program and organized employee giving campaign; responsible for pledge processing, donor relations, reconciling financial transactions and deposits, and data entry during and following events Coordinate production of Shands for Kids newsletter, Annual Report, and other publications as needed; liaison with national direct mail program; maintain Shandskids.org website Show less

Office Manager

• Jul 2001 - May 2003