About Me
About Me
Embedded Files
I grew up in Indiana, spent time living in Nigeria and Spain, and eventually put down roots in Philadelphia. Along the way, I played basketball as a child into college. The game taught me a lot including how to approach my work: give it your all, be someone people can depend on, weather the losses, and celebrate every breakthrough, big and small.
That's how I show up for the nonprofits that work with me.
My Professional Overview
My Professional Overview
I've spent 19 years in nonprofit fundraising working at every level of the development shop. I've set strategy sessions with Executive Directors and worked with Board Chairs. I've processed donations, managed databases, and written acknowledgment letters. I know that both kinds of work matter, and I'm genuinely comfortable doing both.
Since January 2025, I've been working independently as a Development Consultant, providing grant management, fundraising, and strategy services to nonprofits. My consulting work has included prospecting grant opportunities, writing and submitting grant applications, conducting major donor audits, developing fundraising and individual donor strategies, producing appeal plans, and coaching Executive Directors on fundraising.
My Work History
My Work History
Director of Development | Heights Philadelphia | 2022 - 2024 (Economic Mobility Nonprofit)
Heights Philadelphia was formed through the merger of Steppingstone Scholars and Philadelphia Futures. I co-led the fundraising strategy with the VP of Advancement to raise $10 million annually through grants, contract fees, and individual giving. I managed the full grant administrative process — writing, editing, reviewing, and submitting proposals and reports — with grants accounting for 40-45% of all funds raised. I also led the Development data migration to a new CRM during the merger, supervised three development staff, and stewarded a portfolio of approximately 40 individual, corporate, and foundation funders.
Grant & Donor Administrative Coordinator | Steppingstone Scholars | 2018 - 2022 (Education and College Access Nonprofit)
I managed the full grants administration process — researching opportunities, writing and compiling proposals and reports, tracking deadlines, and maintaining all grant documentation in the database. Grants accounted for 34-45% of the $2-3 million raised annually. I also processed and receipted all donations and supervised one development staff member.
Donor Relations Coordinator | Mennonite Central Committee East Coast | 2012-2017 (Relief, Development & Peace NGO)
I developed and led the regional donor relations strategy to raise $8 million annually through individual giving, foundation support, planned giving, and volunteer-driven fundraisers. I stewarded a portfolio of 75 major donors, traveled extensively from Puerto Rico to Maine for public speaking and donor meetings, and collaborated with the Board Chair on board fundraising. I also tracked and monitored donor relations activity in the CRM and produced giving trend analysis and multi-year income projections.
Program Coordinator | Bright Lights Initiative | 2009 - 2011 (Youth Development and Education Nonprofit)
I taught elementary school students in conflict resolution, advocacy, and leadership, and supported the Executive Director in fundraising, communications, and financial management.
Director | Shalom House | 2007 - 2011 (Faith-based Peacemaking Project)
I led a peacemaking project — facilitating planning sessions, building the team, writing grants, and sharing the vision of the work through public speaking and writing.
Program Manager | Philadelphia Parks Alliance | 2002 - 2005 (Urban Parks & Greenspace Nonprofit)
My first development role. I assisted the Executive Director in all aspects of the fundraising plan — grants, solicitation letters, membership appeals, the annual fundraiser — while also processing donations, maintaining the database, and managing the organization's newsletter and annual report.
My Education
I hold an International Master of Arts in Peace, Conflict, and Development Studies from Universitat Jaume I in Spain, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Hanover College in Indiana, where I also earned a secondary school teaching license.
My Professional Associations
I am a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Global and the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of AFP.
My Workplace Assessments
My Workplace Assessments
For those who like to know how people tick.
My NBI profile identifies me as an Empathizer and Strategist. My DiSC profile is Conscientious, with Steadiness and Stability. My Team Dimensions profile identifies me as an Executor and Implementer.
In short, I think carefully, I follow through, and I work well with others.
Want to talk about what your organization needs?
I'd love to connect. Reach out by email or find me on LinkedIn.
Want to talk about what your organization needs?
I'd love to connect. Reach out by email or find me on LinkedIn.
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