Patti Gillespie Email & Phone Number

Schaumburg, Il

Managed numerous scholarship and grant programs for the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, the charitable arm of AVMA. Funding priorities include disaster relief, charitable veterinary care, education and research.

Rosemont, Il

Responsible for research and fellowship grant management, scholarship programs and special events. Staff lead for the Alliance Board, the Committee on Research and the Committee on Educational Fellowships. The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation strategically invests in opportunities at the forefront of research, patient care, and education.

Villa Park, Illinois

Responsible for cultivation of corporate, foundation, and individual gifts through stewardship, grant writing and special events. The mission of Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region is to enable infants, children and adults with disabilities to achieve maximum independence, and to provide support for the families who love and care for them.

St. Charles, Illinois

Managed member relations, administration and office services for the headquarters of SLAS, a leading scientific association, which encourages the study and practice of laboratory automation and screening.

Oak Park, Il

My responsibilities included coordination, registration and management of the annual fundraising walk held in Chicago.

Rolling Meadows, Illinois

Managed membership, meeting, events, governance, advocacy and other activities of a 14 state Midwest regional office. Worked effectively with a regional board, a variety of committees populated by decision makers, and staff from all levels of the organization. Founded in 1937, the Plastics Industry Association (formerly SPI) is the trade association whose members represent the entire supply chain of the third largest manufacturing segment in the United States. Successfully increased the number of states and market segments represented on the regional board through recruitment of Midwest decision makers. Achieved the highest success rate of all the regions in filling key national governance posts with Midwest board members. Established meeting agendas, composed minutes, and monitored all committee action items. Developed, marketed and supervised annual conferences and a variety of business meetings, programs and workshops. Worked closely with conference committees on program development, speaker selection, event execution and budget oversight. Led the first-ever International Plastics Design Competition at the association’s triennial trade show at McCormick Place. Managed and supervised event working with a cross-functional team. Successfully produced the first joint conference of the Midwest region and the Sheet Producers Division, meeting the interests and budgets of both groups in a common setting. Served as Director for the association’s Sheet Producers Division. Planned two successful conferences per year within budget. Researched venues and negotiated contracts. Built a regional presence for the organization by participating in industry events and trade shows to network with existing and prospective members and to identify synergies with allied trade groups. Effectively recruited and mobilized plastics businesses to advocate on behalf of the industry through letter writing campaigns, coordination of plant tours and participation in legislative events.

Responsibilities included marketing, cultivation and securing charitable gifts from among a diverse portfolio of 500 Midwest donors.

Greater Chicago Area

Provided high-level event planning and administrative support to the Manager and the Midwest Board. Served as staff lead to the Midwest Board, including coordination of its quarterly board meetings and conference calls, subcommittee activities, awards programs and bylaws oversight. Administered all activities of the Michigan Board of Directors. Provided event planning and program management support to the Manager, to the Midwest Board and to a variety of state-based chapters and committees.