Experience

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  Purdue University | John Martinson Honors College

  • West Lafayette, Indiana, United States

  • Professor of Practice for Philanthropy and Executive Director of Strategic Relations

    • Jun 2022 - Present
    • West Lafayette, Indiana, United States

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  GoodRuption

  • https://www.goodruption.com

  • Founder

    • Apr 2021 - Present
    • https://www.goodruption.com

    Why work with us when there are so many philanthropy consulting firms out there? Because we combine a lot of experience across nonprofit organizational roles with a strong foundation in the science, historical context, economic purpose and moral framework of philanthropy. We are not a turn-key practice. We bring informed, evidence-based solutions that connect donors to impactful funding opportunities. I am a philanthropy scholar with a Ph.D. from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, the only doctoral program in philanthropy in the world. My research is on fundraising practice, and I created and published a new fundraising model called The Social Capital Fundraising Model. I am also a front-line fundraiser with nearly twenty years of experience in the nonprofit sector. I have worked in libraries, museums, hospitals, conservation organizations and higher education. Philanthropy is due for serious change – change that heals rather than perpetuates power imbalance and celebrates those whose road to wealth has harmed others. I believe that the change needed will not be facilitated by nonprofit leaders, boards of trustees or philanthropy scholars but by fundraisers – the very individuals who bridge donors to philanthropy missions every day. We want to help them be successful by providing tools that arm them with knowledge to build ethical, long-lasting partnerships between donors and organizations and management models that give them the space and time to do their important work. GoodRuption provides high-standard training for fundraisers and support for fundraising leaders in the spirit of helping them develop meaningful donor engagement that results in giving that is mutually rewarding. GoodRuption is designed to disrupt the status quo of ill-informed and amateurish fundraising practices and management models that result in fundraiser turnover and transactional bonds with donors.

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  Happiness Learning Collaborative

  • West Lafayette, Indiana, United States

  • Project Co-Director

    • Mar 2021 - Present
    • West Lafayette, Indiana, United States

    A transdisciplinary cross-sector project that empowers educators, community organizers, and residents to realize community well-being.

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  Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

  • Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

  • Instructor

    • Apr 2021 - Present
    • Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

    I teach classes in the MA program including the introductory course for Philanthropic Studies plus Applied Ethics and one-on-one courses supporting student research.

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  California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

  • San Luis Obispo, California Area

  • Assistant Dean of Advancement and External Relations

    • Sep 2018 - Apr 2021
    • San Luis Obispo, California Area

    In this role I led all external relations efforts including fundraising, college-level communications and alumni relations. I developed a suite of cases for giving for the college across disciplines. During my time on this position, I built collaboration with the grants office and college faculty to streamline and increase efforts to fund research from philanthropic foundations. I expanded outreach to alumni by integrating an advancement narrative in college-level communications and personal contact. I initiated the first Dean's Leadership Council in the college and coordinate all related activity and built a strong foundation for future support through several significant planned gifts. My total fundraising while in this position was just under $25M.

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  Purdue University

  • Chief Development Officer

    • Jun 2017 - Sep 2018

    TITLE CHANGE - same role as Director of Advancement. However, with this change, the Purdue Honors College was added to my portfolio. In addition to supporting my activities in the Purdue Libraries, I strengthened the Dean's Advisory Council model in the Honors College and worked with the communications group to integrate narratives and opportunities for giving. I also worked with stakeholders within the college to develop compelling cases for giving.

  • Director Of Advancement

    • Feb 2015 - Jun 2017

    Lead fundraiser for the Purdue Libraries. Exceeded fundraising goals each year. Completed the largest capital campaign for the library in support of the Wilmeth Active Learning Center - a STEM library with 26 integrated, high tech classrooms. Coordinated the Dean's Advisory Council and other events related to the opening of the WALC and annual campus activities. Developed a new suite of cases for giving in the libraries. Engaged internally to build collaborative partnerships for giving.

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  Purdue University Fort Wayne

  • Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States

  • Director of Donor Relations

    • Jul 2014 - Feb 2015
    • Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States

    Updated the institution’s donor relations program to align with stewardship activity that is meant to grow and expand donor engagement. Initiated a formalized annual giving program and worked with individual colleges to develop an annual appeal for their unique stakeholder groups. Developed cases for giving across the campus and built a physical and digital portfolio of a dozen cases for giving for development officers to utilize in their work. Led the effort to create the first planned giving society on the campus. Produced the first campus-level magazine on philanthropy that was distributed to all living alumni of the school.