Services
I served on the board of directors for the New England Development Researcher’s Association (NEDRA) for two years, and as a co-founder of both the New England and the National Millennium User Groups, I led the effort to improve fundraising platforms through dynamic user-to-vendor conversations. Through these and other endeavors, I have developed a network of skilled associates who can join me on special projects.
Organizational and Departmental Assessment and Benchmarking
I am highly experienced in conducting staff and resource assessments, skills analyses, and risk assessments. In order to help organizations maintain a best-practices path for growth, I am also well versed in benchmarking against peer and aspirant organizations.
Interim Staffing
At the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, my main directives as Vice Chancellor for Advancement were: improve staff morale; reorganize the division and hire highly experienced staff; and create a culture of strategic goals and best practices. Over my tenure, I worked with key campus partners to create a new organizational structure; hired 9 new staff including personally recruiting three Assistant Vice Chancellors; created strategic and operational plans for every function in Advancement; improved morale by establishing transparency, frequent communication and clear metrics and goals; rebuilt the UMass Dartmouth Foundation; created collaborative partnerships around campus; and established a framework to build a solid infrastructure of data, analytics, and research.
For most of my tenure at Rensselaer I reported directly to the president, served in an operational leadership role, and directly oversaw the Advancement Services and Annual Giving offices. My work played a key role in increasing fundraising revenue on all giving levels. This mix of strategic and tactical responsibilities has given me a unique ability to step into a number of roles at other institutions during transitions, especially during searches for executive staff. Arrangements can be flexible and built around a mix of on- and off-site services. I can act as interim as Vice President for Advancement as well as executive positions in the key areas of Major and Principal Gifts, Annual Giving, and Advancement Services.
A time of transition can be an opportunity to assess the current operation and make important changes that can create a platform for success for the next phase of leadership.
Coaching, Training, and Staff Mentoring
I have extensive experience in increasing productivity through coaching for Major Gift, Annual Giving, and Advancement Services directors as well as providing strategy for Development Officers at all levels. I bring great energy and a positive outlook to my role as an Advancement mentor. I have seen the power of setting clear and understandable goals. Often, my role as a manager has been a matter of getting obstacles out of the way of staff and leadership colleagues. There are many best practices established in the industry. I have made it a priority in my career to keep abreast of any tool or method that will help propel an organization forward, increase productivity, and boost team morale.
Project Management
Advancement offices are continuously posed with ambitious goals, but staffing constraints and competing priorities can make it difficult for managers to oversee all aspects of ongoing projects. I have deep experience supporting projects large and small and can help clients manage projects like:
System Assessment
I am deeply experienced in all aspects of evaluating the effectiveness of an organization's fundraising system and reporting tool set. Whether a client is looking to upgrade or rejuvenate their current system, or feels it is time to transfer their operation to a different platform, I have a proven track record of mapping out a comprehensive strategic plan for moving forward. The level of experience-based planning I bring to the process ensures that the essential business of fundraising continues seamlessly while the selection and implementation process is moving forward.
Project Definition
In the inception stage of proposed initiatives, I can work with staff to:
Candidate Assessments
I have played a key role in dozens of successful searches. As a consultant, I can assess a candidate's qualifications for positions in every area of Advancement including: Major and Principal Gifts, Annual Giving, Advancement Services, and Donor Relations.
Organizational and Departmental Assessment and Benchmarking
I am highly experienced in conducting staff and resource assessments, skills analyses, and risk assessments. In order to help organizations maintain a best-practices path for growth, I am also well versed in benchmarking against peer and aspirant organizations.
Interim Staffing
At the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, my main directives as Vice Chancellor for Advancement were: improve staff morale; reorganize the division and hire highly experienced staff; and create a culture of strategic goals and best practices. Over my tenure, I worked with key campus partners to create a new organizational structure; hired 9 new staff including personally recruiting three Assistant Vice Chancellors; created strategic and operational plans for every function in Advancement; improved morale by establishing transparency, frequent communication and clear metrics and goals; rebuilt the UMass Dartmouth Foundation; created collaborative partnerships around campus; and established a framework to build a solid infrastructure of data, analytics, and research.
For most of my tenure at Rensselaer I reported directly to the president, served in an operational leadership role, and directly oversaw the Advancement Services and Annual Giving offices. My work played a key role in increasing fundraising revenue on all giving levels. This mix of strategic and tactical responsibilities has given me a unique ability to step into a number of roles at other institutions during transitions, especially during searches for executive staff. Arrangements can be flexible and built around a mix of on- and off-site services. I can act as interim as Vice President for Advancement as well as executive positions in the key areas of Major and Principal Gifts, Annual Giving, and Advancement Services.
A time of transition can be an opportunity to assess the current operation and make important changes that can create a platform for success for the next phase of leadership.
Coaching, Training, and Staff Mentoring
I have extensive experience in increasing productivity through coaching for Major Gift, Annual Giving, and Advancement Services directors as well as providing strategy for Development Officers at all levels. I bring great energy and a positive outlook to my role as an Advancement mentor. I have seen the power of setting clear and understandable goals. Often, my role as a manager has been a matter of getting obstacles out of the way of staff and leadership colleagues. There are many best practices established in the industry. I have made it a priority in my career to keep abreast of any tool or method that will help propel an organization forward, increase productivity, and boost team morale.
Project Management
Advancement offices are continuously posed with ambitious goals, but staffing constraints and competing priorities can make it difficult for managers to oversee all aspects of ongoing projects. I have deep experience supporting projects large and small and can help clients manage projects like:
- Fundraising system upgrades and conversions.
- Policies and procedures reviews and documentation.
- Data definition and documentation efforts.
- One-day giving events for Annual Giving.
System Assessment
I am deeply experienced in all aspects of evaluating the effectiveness of an organization's fundraising system and reporting tool set. Whether a client is looking to upgrade or rejuvenate their current system, or feels it is time to transfer their operation to a different platform, I have a proven track record of mapping out a comprehensive strategic plan for moving forward. The level of experience-based planning I bring to the process ensures that the essential business of fundraising continues seamlessly while the selection and implementation process is moving forward.
Project Definition
In the inception stage of proposed initiatives, I can work with staff to:
- Determine the overall goal of a project; identify and prioritize individual steps in the path to completion; quantify the resources needed to get the work done; and determine in advance how success will be defined.
- Write a results document and make a presentation to staff and leadership of final results.
- Provide recommendations for next steps based on the project’s results.
Candidate Assessments
I have played a key role in dozens of successful searches. As a consultant, I can assess a candidate's qualifications for positions in every area of Advancement including: Major and Principal Gifts, Annual Giving, Advancement Services, and Donor Relations.