CAREER PROGRESSION
University of Illinois Chicago. Chicago, IL.
Director of Donor Relations, 2023-Current
My role is part of the newly formed Stewardship & Donor Relations team in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Advancement (OVCA) serving the University of Illinois Chicago’s (UIC) sixteen colleges and units.
Within 3 months, launched a pilot university-wide acknowledgment program which produces and sends printed acknowledgements for gifts $5K-$999,999 in partnership with Advancement Communications, Stewardship, as well as college and unit frontline fundraiser teams.
Director of Donor Relations, 2021-2023
As part of the Advancement Solutions Team situated within the OVCA central team, I served the College of Education, Graduate College, Honors College, University Library, Student Affairs, and the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs.
In concert with the Executive Director of Development, created and built a new advancement team model from assessment and strategy to hiring new team members and establishing partnerships with the college and units’ leadership and staff. Page 1 of 6
Managed and implemented customized donor relations, stewardship, special events, and related non-solicitation communications programs to aid in the college and units’ efforts to educate, cultivate, and recognize donors.
Assisted in stewardship communications and activities for IGNITE, the Campaign for UIC (2017-2022) which exceeded its $750M goal by 7% at campaign end.
Conducted the first philanthropy orientation for a cohort of scholarship recipients in the College of Education in partnership with college faculty.
Director of Engagement and Participation, 2016-2021
I launched a centralized OVCA model by serving as the main advancement partner to the Honors College, University Library, and Student Affairs, who were previously assigned their own embedded Directors of Development.
Established and sustained working partnerships with the Honors College Dean, the University Librarian and Dean of Libraries, and the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, as well as their respective leadership staff under a newly structured OVCA relationship, to be fully versed in college and unit priorities, programs, and processes.
Built close partnerships with OVCA Annual Giving, Donor Relations, Corporate and Foundation Relations, University of Illinois Foundation (UIF) Mass Communications, UIF Office of Gift Planning and Trust Services, college and unit Directors of Development as well as the Alumni Association to coordinate, manage, and execute full advancement services for all colleges and units at all points of the donor life cycle.
Assisted OVCA Leadership Team in preparing colleges and units for the capital campaign including messaging, communication planning, and launch festivities, in addition to understanding and setting annual fund goals.
Planned and executed annual giving, alumni, and stewardship activities as well as assisted Directors of Development with portfolios for each college and unit resulting in an 50% increase in average new business revenue for the Honors College from FY17-19.
The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Chicago, IL.
Development and Communications Manager, 2015-2016
I supported the Director of Development in raising contributed and earned revenue.
Co-created a strategic plan for unrestricted giving with expanded cultivation and stewardship, including a gift entry structure and protocols maintaining information system integrity.
Was responsible for monthly revenue reconciliation with the Finance department and scorecard reporting.
Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency. Chicago, IL and Saugatuck, MI.
Development and Marketing Director, 2013-2014
I was responsible for all development activities and goals, as well as earned revenue marketing. Oversaw a full-time Development Coordinator and temporary event assistant. Working closely with the Executive and Creative Director, I:
Created a comprehensive development plan including new assessment mechanisms and SWOT case study, resulting in a stewardship event for a principal planned giving donor which cultivated a new $50K gift, and launched successful annual alumni events in New York City.
Procured the first grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, after 20 years of rejected applications
Development and Marketing Associate, 2012-2013
In collaboration with the Executive Director and Associate Director, I planned and managed earned revenue and advancement marketing, as well as development efforts. Working closely with the Executive Director, I:
Implemented a new Annual Fund cultivation strategy resulting in exceeding the FY13 goal by 50%.
Created a host-driven event series tailored for cultivation of new donors and re-engagement of long-term donors.
Developed new sponsorship levels for the largest event which increased revenue by 11% from the previous year
Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership. Chicago, IL.
Development Manager, 2012-2013
In partnership with the CEO, I was responsible for all aspects of the Annual Fund and Membership programs.
Served as sole benefits and customer service contact for all of Spertus’ global members.
Raiser’s Edge 7 Super-User; managed the security, administration, and maintenance of the database.
Streamlined gift entry, acknowledgement, and reporting processes with the Director of Finance and their staff.
Free Street Theater. Chicago, IL.
Development Manager, 2010-2012 (Part-Time)
Along with the Executive Director, I was responsible for all development goals and activities.
Along with consultants, aided in a 6-month training of the Board of Directors in fundraising, focusing on individual donor cultivation and corporate sponsorships
Cool Culture. Brooklyn, NY.
Development Manager, 2008-2009
Along with the Executive Director, I was responsible for growing and diversifying philanthropic revenue streams. Managed a development intern.
Implemented a 5-month New York City Council Discretionary Funds campaign: initiating contact, scheduling, and meeting with each council member and their staff to advocate for funding.
Street-Level Youth Media. Chicago, IL.
Development Manager, 2007-2008
With the Executive Director of Street Level Youth Media (now a part of Urban Gateways), I was responsible for creating and implementing strategies to achieve resource development and marketing goals. Managed grants procurement and renewal, communications, and public relations activities.
With the Program Director, created and established data systems for programming, development, and marketing purposes, as well as trained program staff (~20 teaching artists) on fundraising’s role in the organization.
Tripled corporate giving from the previous fiscal year resulting from a sixmonth Board of Directors fundraising training with consultants focusing on individual donor cultivation and corporate sponsorships.
Christian Community Health Center. Chicago, IL.
Senior Development Officer, 2004-2007
Part of a five-person Development team responsible for the creation and execution of a comprehensive fundraising plan.
Awarded $1.2M Health Resources and Services Administration grant for state-wide health initiative.
Partnered with program managers to systemize data collection; established and maintained communication within Dental, Internal Medicine, Social Services, and Administration teams to coordinate data flow and analysis.