Cecil Hynds-Riddle Email & Phone Number

Director of Membership, June 2022 - March 2023- Lead fundraising strategy for organization, major donor stewardship, and membership engagement- Primary copywriter and leader of creative strategy for DM appeals, philanthropy emails, acknowledgment letters, print magazines, etc.- Manage Membership Officer responsible for data management, caging/processing vendor, DM project management including printing and mailing- Manage Conservation Center Coordinator responsible for local fundraising in Galápagos and international volunteer eco-tourism program- Lead major donor special event planning- Support planned giving program, corporate outreach, and foundation relations- Grew monthly sustainer program by 30% in one yearActing Director of Philanthropy, February 2022 - June 2022(During Director of Outreach and Philanthropy leave of absence)- Oversaw planning and implementation of new major donor Adopt a Giant Tortoise program- Led corporate and foundation relations and grant reporting- Cultivated six figure gifts- Managed Philanthropy Officer responsible for prospect research and moves management, President's major donor outreach schedule, corporate partner stewardship, grant and donor match tracking- Oversaw transition from DM and EM consultant company (Avalon) to in-house management- Managed publication of Impact Report and major donor outreach for this campaign- Coordinated launch of storefront Conservation Center for donor acquisition in GalápagosMembership Manager, August 2021 - February 2022- Oversaw review and restructuring of philanthropy operations including data management/gift entry protocols, caging/processing vendor coordination, grant tracking and reporting, donor acknowledgments - Managed donor acknowledgment, stewardship, and customer service- Coordinated production of DM and EM appeals with communications team and consultants- Primary copywriter for fundraising appeals and ghostwriter for organization President

Chicago Illinois

- Set agency record for most single day gifts: 655 on Giving Tuesday 2020, and highest grossing Giving Tuesday: $72K in 2019- Founded agency peer-to-peer fundraising program using OneCause platform- Doubled attendance in first year managing donor stewardship luncheon- Led creative and practical approach to golf event and donor stewardship communications during pandemic- Produced vibrant print and online designs for event invitations, fundraising appeals, donor stewardship communications, social media posts, and more. - Produced and edit marketing and stewardship videos - Negotiated contracts and select vendors for events and promotional materials

Greater Chicago Area

When I started Prickly Pear Events my vision was to provide a new type of wedding coordination for the DIY couple. These days engaged folks can book their own venue, schedule tastings with a caterer, and pick out, or even make from scratch, their own personalized wedding decor. DIY weddings are in, and full-scale wedding planner services are on the decline. My clients rely on my event planning experience to manage the things that don't come naturally to everyone: logistics, vendor coordination, tricky timeline details, and navigating challenging family dynamics. I provide detailed advice, emotional support, logistical expertise, and "stage management" services for the modern wedding. Customers and vendors universally report that I surpass their expectations to facilitate a joyous and seamless occasion.www.PricklyPearEvents.com

I developed and taught a course titled "Volunteer Leadership" for the Morton Arboretum. This course was approved by the Society of Ecological Restoration for Continuing education credit. Students learn how to:- Plan and lead a safe, effective, and fun volunteer stewardship day.- Share knowledge and empower others to learn about the natural spaces they love.- Build community connections and engage volunteers with natural areas through in-person and online communication and storytelling. This interactive course uses videos of real volunteers in action, role play, breakout sessions, lecture, and discussion. All content was envisioned, produced, and presented by Cecil Hynds-Riddle.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Final Grant Report Review - Reviewed reports for Community Stewardship Grants awarded in 2015 and drafted a summary of the Grantee’s reported accomplishments.- Composed a list of follow up questions for each grantee about their project outcomesGrant Proposal Review- Reviewed grant proposals for Community Stewardship Projects and wrote a summary for the board of directors- Composed a list of follow up questions for each applicant about their project plans and funding needs

Chicago, Il

- Manager of sold out conservation and stewardship conference for volunteers and professionals with 1700 registrants and 300+ waiting list- Recruited, managed, and empowered 55 volunteer leaders, 60 day-of volunteers, and 200 presenters- Managed sponsorships, finances, and budget- Supervised all planning and logistics including: program creation, event registration, venue and presenter selection, catering, timeline management, exhibits, security, IT and AV needs, etc.- Marketed conference to wide range of Chicago area partners, stakeholders, and the general public via www.WildThingsCommunity.org, social and traditional media, community networks, and media sponsorships- Led diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

Greater Chicago Area

- Organized 156 volunteer habitat restoration events in one year and empowered volunteer leaders at Somme, LaBagh, Indian Road, and Chipilly woods- Coordinated logistics for Forest Preserve District Path to Stewardship Immersion Camp with FPD and NGO staff- Mentored volunteers pursuing FPD leader training opportunities, and facilitated program completion- Designed and administered www.SommePreserve.org- Content manager for WildthingsCommunity.org/FindYourSpot and /Classes pages- Built and managed volunteer database in Sumac

Amherst, Ma

- Recruited volunteers and coordinated logistics for spotted salamander conservation event - Counted salamander egg masses in vernal pool and maintained drift fencing that guides salamanders under high traffic roadway

Sunderland, Ma

- Monitored several species of gulls for long term study of gull impacts on watershed and effective interventions to dissuade human feeders- Trapped, measured, and banded ring billed gulls for study of Western MA gull population- Surveyed beaver population in rivers and marshes on Quabbin Reservoir watershed

Austin, Tx

- Organized volunteer committee of faith, business, and community leaders in support of affordable housing bond election campaign- Planned advance logistics and lead day-of management for major volunteer action days during which volunteers canvassed and phone banked to raise awareness about campaign- Hosted dozens of educational lectures and community outreach events to promote campaign

Austin, Tx

- Managed all community outreach, member development, volunteer, and lobby programs in Texas- Arranged logistics for major events such as a press conference and lobby day on Capitol Hill in response to shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and a successful candlelight vigil in Austin for victims of gun violence and their families- Built partnerships with elected officials, faith leaders, law enforcement, and community members

Namdong-Gu, Incheon, Korea

- Taught English speaking, reading, and writing to Korean children ages 6 to 15

Joplin, Missouri; Bozeman, Montana; Austin, Texas

- Recruited, trained, and managed 20 full-time and approximately 200 part-time volunteers- Planned major voter contact action days, volunteer training retreats, and large voter registration drives; frequently registered 500 voters per event- Arranged advance logistics and day-of coordination for large-scale speaking engagements where Barack Obama or representatives such as Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, and Caroline Kennedy, addressed audiences ranging from 50 volunteers to 20,000 general audience members - Consistently ranked among top 10 organizers in fast-paced, deadline and outputs driven work environment characterized by independent work, multi-tasking, and creative thinking

Austin, Tx

- Planned fundraising events, such as donor hosted cocktail parties and annual bingo night, and administered annual campaign mailings - Provided legal resources and support to pregnant teenagers via 24-hour hotline- Managed bookkeeping, grants, and budget in Quickbooks and donor database in FileMaker- Created reports for grant applications and quarterly board meetings- Managed five work-study students and interns

Master Of Natural Resource Stewardship, Ecological Restoration

Masters Coursework, Geography And Environmental Studies

Coursework Completed: Sustainable Development GIS 1 Scope and Philosophy of Geography and Environmental Studies

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Government, Gpa 3.8

Graduated with honors, a minor in African and African American studies, and a concentration in French. Completed a 105-page analytical.

High School Diploma, Visual Art