Barb Poulsen Email & Phone Number

Central Region

Sr Director of Leadership Events for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society whose mission is to cure MS while empowering people affected by MS to lie their best lives• Manage strategic direction to ensure the assigned fundraising revenue portfolio for 18 Events of Distinction exceeds the budgeted revenue of $6M• Supervise and mentor a team comprised of Directors, Sr. Managers, Managers and Specialists, responsible for recruiting, training and leading staff and volunteers to meet and exceed campaign goals• Partner with Market Leaders in multiple markets to evaluate event revenue success, increase donor giving and cross functional staff engagement• Certified Developing Transformational Relationship (consultative selling) facilitator

Greater Chicago Area

• Successfully executed a hybrid fundraiser with over 400 in person (Orlando) and virtual attendees• Collaborated with executive team, staff, production company, sponsors, donors, and giving platform to ensure a flawless event• Co-Chair of the 2022 Employee Giving campaign which resulted in increased giving per person• Conductor of the quarterly donor newsletter• Grew the Giving Tuesday Campaign through social media and newsletters

Chicago, Illinois

Director for the Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer Association whose mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Lead overall strategy, planning and implementation of The Illinois Chapter's Relationship, Constituent, Athletic and 3rd party events.• Provided strategic direction and mentorship to direct reports, team portfolio included: Chicago Marathon, third party events, peer to peer events, corporate fundraising • Assured sponsorship and participant revenue exceeds established goals and continuously evaluated team to confirm alignment with strategic plan• Continuously evaluate team to insure alignment with strategic plan• Aligned chapter events with Alzheimer's Association fundraising initiatives• Cultivated a pipeline of donors and volunteer leadership for succession planning• Managed the Chapter’s Junior Board to grow current members into high performing volunteer leaders

Des Plaines, Illinois

Sr. Development Director for the Illinois branch of a national foundation whose mission is to cure Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases • Changed the culture of the Development Department to one that highlights the mission, increases sponsorships and volunteer engagement resulting in year over year growth. Events included black tie gala, exclusive golf tournament and poker tournament • Secured large corporate and individual donors to fund both event and major gift initiatives • Managed financials, budget and operational activities for both development department and board committees • Mentored Chapter staff in special events, major gifts and volunteer engagement

Northbrook, Il

A YMCA branch location serving 15 communities, with 22,000 participants and 300 employees • Transitioned a contract role into an executive position, overseeing strategic growth and leading a $900k annual departmental budget; key to the budgetary planning committee of a $4.5M organization• Collaborated with the Board of Directors, program directors, staff, volunteers and members in the planning and execution of advertising campaigns, capital fundraisers and events • Managed 200 donor portfolio with multiple six figure gifts• Executed annual appeal with year over year growth• Empower youth by establishing and leading a Junior Board comprised of high school students from diverse schools and backgrounds

Northbrook, Il

A nonprofit established to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina• Supported an extended community (Waveland, Mississippi) recovering from loss and injury with funding and resources• Secured financial gifts, arraigned transportation of volunteers/goods and solicited in kind donations • Managed all events on and offsite, administrated the company website, established board of directors, oversaw financials and liaised with mayors, boards of trustees, town councils, senators, congressional representative and corporate donors• Raised more than $3M in financial and in-kind donations, including furniture, camp supplies, hotel rooms for volunteers and venues used for events• Provided camp for 500 displaced school-aged children and coordinated more than 350 volunteers and 26 trips over 5 years