Lead an 8-member Philanthropy team across the 11-state South region, from Nevada to Alabama, developing and leading strategy and coaching staff to success.● Took team from $2.2M annually in 2019 to $11.5M (20% over goal) in 2023 and on course to reach $17.1M in operating revenue from major gifts in 2024.● In 2023, oversaw the close of the largest capital gift in the organization’s history.● Closed three capital campaigns (goals ranging from $17M to $40M) to build Hope Lodges in Houston, Dallas, and Oklahoma City, and with a fourth campaign currently underway in San Antonio.

After nearly two decades in nonprofit fundraising, I made a career change into the financial services sector. In my new role as an independent financial advisor with The Patriot Financial Group of Texas, I work with individuals, families, and small businesses on their financial planning needs -- from short-term investments to retirement plans to insurance protection to alternative investments, and more. I am happy to work with anyone who would like my help, though my special areas of expertise and experience are small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and the particular needs of LGBTQ community. I hold an Executive MBA from the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, Series 7 securities registration with LPL Financial, Series 66 registration through both LPL Financial and The Patriot Financial Group of Texas, and a Life, Accident and Health insurance license in the state of Texas.Legal Disclaimers: • Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC (for hyperlinks to FINRA and SIPC, please refer to ‘Contact Info’ section above). Investment advice offered through The Patriot Financial Group of Texas, a Registered Investment Advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.• Third party posts found on this profile do not reflect the views of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. • For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.patriotfinancialtx.com

As part of the Regional Leadership Team, I worked with a diverse group of professionals to help lead this organization through a difficult "turnaround" period. In my three-year tenure, we took the organization into a new era of fiscal responsibility by re-aligning the organization's expenses with achievable and sustainable revenue goals. We also worked to build a more cohesive regional team and board that worked together collaboratively and creatively to better support the corps members and schools the organization serves. By the end of my third year on staff, the fundraising team exceeded its $7.5M annual revenue goal for the first time in the region's 25-year history.

Major gift officer responsible for planning and strategizing gift solicitations of $100K+, primarily for the university's arts programs. I regularly demonstrate expert donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship skills, as well as grant writing, development communications, and strategic planning. My position also requires a great amount of critical thinking, strategic planning, and a visionary approach to reaching long-term goals. I am proud to say that I exceeded my first year's fundraising goal by 350%.

In my seven years at the Houston Zoo, I helped the organization raise more than $50 million and open the first phase of the Zoo's extraordinary African Forest exhibit. During my tenure, I worked with major foundation, corporate, and individual donors, and I was the go-to person for government grants, as well. I was a significant part of the capital campaign leadership, working directly with the President, Vice President, Zoo Director, Board and Campaign Chairs, and community volunteers to shape and execute the long-term fundraising vision and strategy.

The New York Botanical Garden is a "museum of plants" located in the heart of the Bronx. While there, I worked with a professional team of 25 fundraisers and was responsible for raising seven-figure gifts from foundation sources for special projects as part of the Garden's $300 million campaign. Being in this position helped sharpen my writing skills and gave me my first experience working on capital campaigns and analyzing complicated budgets and statistical information.

This is the job that launched my development career. Here, I worked closely with a wide variety of individual artists and small arts organizations to assist them in reaching their strategic and fundraising goals. I helped these organizations expand their donor base, organize their board and volunteers, and also consulted with them in the areas of strategic planning, marketing, and audience development.

The label is now part of Verve Music Group. It was home to artists such as Diana Krall, Diane Schuur, Spyro Gyra, and Acoustic Alchemy. We also issued the Impulse! and Decca Jazz catalogs that included artists like John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, McCoy Tyner, and Miles Davis. I had the responsibility of overseeing production of every release, including compiling and editing liner notes, track listings, and legal notices. My most memorable experiences were having breakfast with Diane Schuur and working with Diana Krall on the album that made her famous.