As a passionate organizational growth expert and strategist, I partner with nonprofit organizations to help them build their fundraising and development programs and impact, develop engaging and helpful strategies and plans, assist in creating dynamic and unforgettable events, and create super-engaging marketing and communications tools that create big impact on community and media outreach and engagement efforts. I'm also deeply talented in creating story-driven communications, using a combination of written word, photo and design, and strategy to invest your donors, communities, and elected officials deeper in the impact of the work you do.Here are some nonprofit impact highlights:• Growing revenues for a Habitat for Humanity affiliate from nearly $0 to achieving nearly $500,000 in liquid assets in under three years using diversified, moves-management, relationship-driven strategies.• Helping a new nonprofit start-up over triple their initial funding goal using a community engagement-focused matching challenge campaign.• Assisting an organization whose budget was slashed in Illinois' budget crisis expand their database contacts by 240% with an ensuing rise in annual appeals gifts of 500%.• Providing emceeing, guidance, and coordination for a special event/raise-the-paddle auction that helped an educational organization raise nearly 800% from their original goal.• Helping a disabilities-focused group catalyze annual giving by 750% over the last decade.My services include project-based consulting, retainer-driven engagements, as well as offering high-energy, deep-impact trainings and workshops that inspire and guide organizational leaders, staff, and volunteers in doing the good they do even better.

Because I love to work and don't like sitting still, when I'm not doing nonprofit consulting work, my crazy-smart, super hard-working husband and I run a small side business. We are passionate remodelers, interior designers, landscapers, and gardeners and through our little cottage shop, reCREATE, we help clients re-envision and remodel rooms, homes, offices, and outdoor spaces. Our specialty is employing the creative reuse of materials, recycled and up-cycled products, and we bring an eye for sustainability and money-saving solutions to our clients. We have worked on small garden projects, whole house remodels, color consults, room redesigns, space saving strategies, and de-cluttering projects. We also help with home staging if you're thinking of selling, and we work with clients on envisioning their perfect new home if they are in the market and can't seem to find that perfect place.Our projects and work at reCREATE create spaces clients love, they can easily maintain, and that will make you, friends, family, and guests feel comfortable and inspired.

Plan, develop, and implement all development activities (annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, corporate giving, etc.), community education and engagement programs, and public relations activities. Coordinate all storytelling and graphics needs to inspire engagement and elevate awareness. Upgrade all print and online communications and organize friend-raising and fundraising special events.

I joined the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate at a time when organizational finances were tenuous and homebuilding efforts stalled. Within two months, our first homebuild partner and project was secured. I moved the organization from a starvation model to a business-driven model, and in three years, worked with my team to implement low-cost communications strategies, high-impact fundraising techniques, and simple outreach methods, turning the near-broke organization into an award-winning powerhouse, increasing revenues overall by 1,000% and homebuilding by 100% each year.As executive director, I built Habitat’s formal fundraising program, which diversified funding to include more individual donors, area businesses and churches, and increased public and private grant funding. I also worked to forge strong relationships with area businesses, city governments, and regional media outlets, and created the organization’s first-ever strategic plan. With my team, we also created a web presence and all print, e-newsletters, and brochures were upgraded or launched. I also helped revamp application procedures for interested homeowners and upgraded office and business procedures for legal compliance, efficiency, and effectiveness. In addition to overseeing all general operations, including volunteer and homebuilding programs, I also helped oversee and revamp the organization’s financial recordkeeping and reporting and oversaw the explosive growth of the organization's ReStore resale operation.In June of 2006, the local affiliate was one of only two in Illinois to participate in the Homebuilders Blitz program, which called upon area builders to construct Habitat homes in a five-day period in June. We successfully secured four area builders, interfaced with city government to secure lots, and raised over $500,000 in cash, in-kind supplies, and donated labor from the business community to transform vacant lots into housing for 16 local people.

Served on the Urbana City Council from 1997-2004, elected twice to represent more than 5,000 residents in east Urbana living in the largest and most diverse of seven city wards. The ward included an array of mixed housing types, income levels, religions, and professions, the city’s downtown, an airport, county seat buildings, and several factories. I brought a strong voice to city hall for my diverse constituency, interfacing daily with business leaders, non-profit representatives, school and university officials, and elected officials to discuss issues, solve problems, and brainstorm solutions. During my tenure, I helped to co-founded several grassroots community groups to preserve neighborhoods and community character, working with each to fundraise and develop outreach and membership plans. In 2007, one group, the Historic East Urbana Neighborhood Association, was awarded the Governor’s Hometown award.

Founder of this statewide organization formed to train and engage college students across Illinois who were passionate about making their campuses and communities better places. During my 10-year tenure, I grew what began as a 60 students into a network representing 4,000 students on over 125 Illinois campuses. I was charged with developing programs, campaigns, and trainings to help students learn to fundraise, create strategic plans, expand their membership, write grants, use the media as a effective tool for outreach, and develop communication tools for outreach efforts. Taking advantage of then-emerging technologies such as electronic newsletters and the internet, ISEN’s membership rose from just 12 student groups to almost 150. As Executive Director, I led all organizational fundraising, including donor relationship development, grantwriting, annual appeals, major gifts, matching challenges, special giving opportunities, special events, and database management. I also coordinated all organizational outreach efforts, including speaking engagements, collaborations, written publicity (brochures, newsletters, etc.), and website and e-newsletter development. My responsibilities also included overseeing organizational finances and developing, monitoring, and reporting on annual and program-based budgets.