Summary of Qualifications

 

Strategic thinker, skilled in collaborating with teams and managers to increase efficiency, address problems, and develop and communicate workable solutions. Able to make decisions in fast-paced deadline-driven environments. Highly effective Development Professional with a proven ability to increase revenues and new donor streams by building productive relationships with donors, board members, sponsors, and community leaders. Demonstrated success in organizing and implementing all details of fundraising and program calendar to exceed goals for revenue, volunteer recruitment and retention, and community impact. Experienced in determining emerging needs by researching trends, tracking usage and interest, and collaborating with program staff. Strong commitment to connecting prospects and donors with mission. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Strong working knowledge of development-focused database organization and conversion. Computer proficiency: MS Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, internet savvy.

 

*       Staff Recruitment / Training	*       Group Presentations	*       Project Management
*       Relationship Building	*       Volunteer Management	*       Event Planning
*       Collaborative Partnerships	*       Team Leadership	*       Marketing Collaterals

 

Professional Experience

 

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, Oakland, CA                                                           2006-Present

Progressive responsibility for managing a broad scope of development functions for this $1.8M non-profit agency serving homeless and low income clients with housing, food, counseling, career coaching.

Sr. Director, Business Development,  2008-Present

Recruited to assume full responsibility for 2008 major black tie fundraising event within two months of event date. Hired, trained, and managed new Coordinator and Director in support of event goals

*         Raised $250,000 in two months leading up to event by soliciting corporate donors from among Fortune 500 companies.

*         Maximized net event revenues by creating new strategies that increased both donations and auction income by 30%.

*         Collaborated with a broad scope of vendors, producers, technical specialists and caterers to effectively manage key event logistics. Motivated and led volunteers to implement plans.

*         Created new customized proposals based on marketing needs to renew existing sponsors and attract new sponsors. Added five new corporate sponsors to increase revenues by $80K in one year.

*         Reduced 2009 event costs by $105K by researching and changing longstanding venue.

*         Secured $25,000 in donated reusable signage by developing new vendor relationship.

*         Built relationship, support, and consensus among fellow Sr. Directors to establish and share common goals resulting in more effective customer service.

*         Cultivated relationships with high level executives to increase fundraising participation within the Executive Leadership Team.

*         Developed first time record and tracking system to manage account relationships more effectively

 

FAMILIES FORWARD, Irvine, CA                                                                                   2006-Present

Progressive responsibility for managing a broad scope of development functions for this $1.8M non-profit agency serving homeless and low income clients with housing, food, counseling, career coaching.

Development Manager, 2007-2008

Manages development team in meeting all goals for grants, corporate sponsorships, special events, community outreach, and private donations. Reports to Director of Strategic Planning and Business Development.

*         Captured $200K in new donations by building relationship with key board members.

*         Exceeded attendance goal by 20%, and revenue goal by $90K, for annual fundraising event; assembled and led team of staff, volunteers and consultants to achieve success.

*         Created and implemented new strategies to expand revenues for annual event; persuaded key board members to allow professional auctioneer, move venue, and institute VIP reception.

*         Converted and implemented new donor database (e-Tapestry) to enhance donor tracking and retention.

*         Collaborates with Program team to establish viable outcomes for client services and programs.

*         Supervises Grant Writer in communicating funding priorities and targeting potential funders.

*         Supervises Development Associate in writing all agency marketing brochures, newsletters, e-mails, and corporate appeals.

*         Developed first time job descriptions for newly created development support positions.

*         Collaborates with agency CFO, Executive Director, and Director of Strategic Planning to determine development budget.

 

Assistant Grant Writer / Grant Writer, 2006

*         Promoted to full grant writing responsibilities within ten weeks.

*         Developed new funding relationships with 11 funding sources to secure over $66K in grants.

*         Wrote and captured funding for a variety of grants including (CDBG) Community Development Block Grants, private foundations; wrote follow up reports.

*         Assisted in coordinating key facets of annual fundraising event including corporate sponsorships, silent auction, and printed collateral.            

 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE, Irvine, CA                                                            2004-2006

Research Assistant

Provided key research support for two UCI Social Ecology Professors while carrying full course load.

*      Assisted in research requested by the State of California to evaluate effectiveness and options for improving California Youth Authority.

*      Managed research caseload of 15 youths; worked within intense time frames to obtain parental consent, interview subjects, evaluate and log behaviors, and review histories.

*      Voluntarily assumed responsibility for developing and writing honors thesis; scheduled and interviewed 200 subjects, compiled and analyzed data, and developed conclusions.

*      Recruited and managed two assistants in gathering and logging data.

 

FOUNDERS BOOKSTORE, Costa Mesa, CA                                                                     2003-2004

Assistant Manager

*         Managed sales, customer service, and basic marketing for Vanguard University bookstore.

*         Supervised and trained 12 employees in providing customer service and sales. Resolved all customer service issues.

*         Interacted with professors to compile book lists. Conducted inventory and ordering.

*         Organized all aspects of weeklong special event for graduates.

 

SHELTER MINISTRIES, Concord, CA                                                                                1998-2002

Leadership Trainer

*      Recruited and trained leaders to teach, mentor, and support congregants in small group settings. Formed over 12 successful working groups within four years.

*      Built first time collaborative partnerships with over 40 churches in order to increase unity of purpose and cooperation.

*      Organized all details of biannual event with up to 150 participants.

 

Education, Awards, and Memberships

 

B.A. Social Ecology (Social Ecology Honors Program)                                                                                   2006

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE, Irvine, CA

G.P.A. 3.95; Summa Cum Laude                                                                                                                          2004-2006

Dean's Honor List

Upper Division Writing Award                                                                                                                              2006

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Grant                                                                                 2005-2006

Summer Undergraduate Research Program Grant                                                                                          2005

Phi Beta Kappa                                                                                                                                                         2005

Golden Keys Honors Society                                                                                                                                 2005

Tau Sigma                                                                                                                                                                 2004

Psi Beta                                                                                                                                                                      2003