Development Director

• May 2021 - Present

Non-profit Management Consultant

• 2020 - May 2021

Fundraising Strategy, Event Management, Volunteer Management, Marketing & Sponsorship Proposal Writing, Board Member Management. Fundraising Strategy, Event Management, Volunteer Management, Marketing & Sponsorship Proposal Writing, Board Member Management.

Health & Wellness Consultant, Owner

• 2013 - 2020

Provided holistic health and wellness services for women including formulating wellness plans and advising clients on best health care practices. Developed, launched, and implemented marketing plan to secure clients. Promoted business through presentations, networking and digital marketing. Created WordPress website and managed weekly digital newsletter. Provided holistic health and wellness services for women including formulating wellness plans and advising clients on best health care practices. Developed, launched, and implemented marketing plan to secure clients. Promoted business through presentations, networking and digital marketing. Created WordPress website and managed weekly digital newsletter.

Publisher, Editor & Owner

• 2012 - 2013

Published & edited quarterly local food magazine with a circulation of 15,000. Designed and implemented sales program including marketing materials, proposals, and website content. Researched potential advertisers, cultivated business opportunities, and pitched marketing opportunities to potential clients. Managed digital marketing strategy. Developed story ideas and magazine themes, wrote & edited content, organized magazine layout, and coordinated distribution. Recruited, hired and managed contract employees. Created and managed budgets and payroll.

Board Member

• 2008 - 2012

Developed marketing and fundraising strategies, goals and plans. Organized, recruited and led a fundraising trip to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Collaborated with development staff to redesign travel fundraising program. Networked with major donors during trips to Tanzania and Kenya. Established and maintained a scholarship for 16 children to complete high school in Makomboki, Kenya. Developed marketing and fundraising strategies, goals and plans. Organized, recruited and led a fundraising trip to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Collaborated with development staff to redesign travel fundraising program. Networked with major donors during trips to Tanzania and Kenya. Established and maintained a scholarship for 16 children to complete high school in Makomboki, Kenya.

Fundraising Consultant & Owner

• 2000 - 2004

Provided fundraising and special event management consulting services to various non-profit organizations in the Chicago metro area. Developed business plan, executed marketing strategies to secure clients and maintained budget for small business. Provided fundraising and special event management consulting services to various non-profit organizations in the Chicago metro area. Developed business plan, executed marketing strategies to secure clients and maintained budget for small business.

Fundraising Manager

• 1998 - 2000

Successfully planned, budgeted, organized and implemented four annual high-profile fundraising events which included famous athlete and musical celebrities. Exceeded budgeted goals over 20% for every event. Collaborated with the Executive Director, Board Members and Development Director to draft sponsorship proposals and pitches for new events. Successfully solicited and secured first time major sponsors for two fundraising events totaling over $100,000. Secured monetary and in-kind donors at all levels. Supervised and managed development staff and volunteers in the execution of special events including maintaining box office sales. Managed event public relations and coordinated with celebrity representatives for media appearances. Assisted fundraising team to identify major gift donors and implement annual campaign solicitations.

Marketing & Business Development Coordinator

• 1997 - 1998

Collaborated with partners in drafting Requests For Proposal (RFP) responses and new pitches. Wrote, edited and maintained collateral marketing materials. Successfully budgeted, planned and executed high-profile seminars, conferences, and special events where attendees included CEOs, COOs, and other executives from Fortune 500 companies as well as civic leaders and legal professionals from all over the US. Wrote and distributed press releases and responded to media inquiries. Advised partners, associates and staff on pro bono and other volunteer service opportunities. Wrote and published monthly internal newsletter.

Development Associate

• Jan 1996 - Nov 1997

Coordinated and marketed fundraising events grossing over $1,040,000 annually. Managed, recruited, and cultivated board members, event committees and auxiliary volunteers. Developed and implemented annual budget by setting, tracking and exceeding budgetary goals for each event. Designed proposals and secured corporate sponsorship for product and monetary donations. Lowered expense ratios under 30 percent. Managed media relations for special events including coordinating appearances of sport, music, and film celebrities. Participated in long-range strategic planning with committee members and development team to enhance events and cultivate new opportunities.

District Director

• 1995 - 1996

Designed and managed fundraising activities for a six county region. Developed and exceeded budget goals including implementing the first online budgeting process for the district. Collaborated with regional staff to coordinate the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon at WGN Studios in Chicago. Executed public relations activities including coordinating the appearance of celebrities and local luminaries at MDA events. Managed staff of four. Recruited, cultivated and organized volunteers. Designed and managed fundraising activities for a six county region. Developed and exceeded budget goals including implementing the first online budgeting process for the district. Collaborated with regional staff to coordinate the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon at WGN Studios in Chicago. Executed public relations activities including coordinating the appearance of celebrities and local luminaries at MDA events. Managed staff of four. Recruited, cultivated and organized volunteers.