Experience

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  Student Excellence Foundation of Wheaton Warrenville

  • Executive Director

    • Nov 2022 - Present

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  ThinkFirst Injury Prevention Foundation

  • Executive Director

    • Feb 2020 - Jul 2022

  • Executive Director

    • Feb 2020 - Jul 2022

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  Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA)

  • United States
  • Recreational Facilities
  • 100 - 200 Employee

  • Community Relations Supervisor

    • 2015 - Feb 2020

  • Development Manager

    • 2015 - Feb 2020

    WDSRA provides community-based social and recreational programs for individuals of all ages with special needs in nine communities in DuPage County. I identified and developed donor leads through sponsors, event attendees, volunteers, club members and community participants.Produced Annual Gala which consistently netted $150K per year.Managed and grew golf outing which sold out each year and netted $40K annually from sponsorships, registrations and auction donations.

  • Development Manager

    • Dec 2015 - Dec 2019

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  Young Naperville Singers

  • Naperville, Illinois

  • Director of Development

    • 2013 - 2015
    • Naperville, Illinois

    This community-based children’s choral organization is composed of 400 girls and boys in grades 1-12.I was in charge of all aspects of fund development, building relationships with individual donors, local business donors, alumni and sponsors. Creating Annual Appeals, managing fund raising events and writing proposals to community and local government foundations were also key activities. Created fund development plan, identifying 25 new funding sources. Implemented inaugural Giving Tuesday campaign. Raised over $46K through grant proposals.

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  Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

  • Downers Grove, IL

  • Community Engagement Specialist

    • 2008 - Jul 2012
    • Downers Grove, IL

    Thrivent provides financial services to a Christian, primarily Lutheran market. My role was to grow relationships with 43 large Lutheran congregations in Northern Chicago Region through marketing activities, workshop presentations and key ministry programs. I increased company awareness, financial services sales, member growth and engagement by cultivating mutually beneficial relationships with congregational leaders and chapter volunteers. Exceeded annual goal of identifying and recruiting Financial Representative candidates.

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  OurSaviour's Lutheran Church

  • Naperville, IL

  • Director of Major Gifts & Endowment

    • 2005 - 2007
    • Naperville, IL

    I was in charge of growth and stewardship of Heritage Society and Endowment Funds. During my time there I was able to greatly increase outright and testamentary gifts through special events and individual visits. Managed gifts of Endowment Fund, increasing funding by 40%.Directed Annual Stewardship drive, increasing gifts $400K over prior year.Raised $2.5MM in pledges for Capital Fund Appeal.

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  Christ Lutheran Academy

  • Plainfield, IL

  • Director of Development

    • 2002 - 2005
    • Plainfield, IL

    My role was to obtain financial support for the early days of this educational institution. Starting from a small base, I conducted research and created a mailing list with 600+ donor leads. I secured donors who had never funded a private Christian school before. I also recruited people to volunteer time and donors for in-kind supplies to help remodel and retrofit the facility. Donors included individuals, churches and local businesses and private foundations. Organized three annual galas, doubling number of attendees and net proceeds over prior events.Compiled databases for annual mail campaigns. Resulted in postage cost reduction of $1.5K and increased revenue of $12K.Negotiated in-kind printing of promotional materials, saving over $25K annually.