As a strategic-thinking, relationship-driven, and self-motivated problem solver, I believe the critical role of a philanthropy professional is connecting organizations doing good work well, with people in the community who have the means and disposition to support that work generously.At NAMI San Diego, I promote a donor-centered culture of philanthropic stewardship emphasizing major gifts to benefit a grass-roots non-profit supporting people with mental illness and their families, educating the community about mental illness with the goal of reducing the stigma, and advocating for more research and an improved system of mental health services across the nation.

Serving as lead volunteer on-site, apply special event management best practices to assure optimal experience for participants, presenters, vendors, and volunteers attending writers' conference held twice a year in Southern California.Moderate publishing "State of the Industry" panel featuring leading literary agents and professional editors.Facilitate agent and editor one-on-one feedback meetings for advance submissions from conference participants.Supervise on-site registration and check-in of conference attendees.Collaborate to fulfill keynote speaker and workshop presenter audio-visual needs.Trouble-shoot event to promote outstanding customer service.

In Out of the Fire, my 50,000 word debut novel, when brave and handsome CAL FIRE Captain Danny Russell saves Natalie Sands from a deadly wildfire outside Bakersfield, California, the passion between these two threatens to burn out of control. Danny is leader of an out-of-the-area fire strike team battling disaster in the suburbs. Natalie is an ambitious aspiring designer at a New York City specialty fashion house back for a brief return visit to her hometown. The initial spark between Danny and Natalie grows into powerful romance over the course of the novel, along with the major conflict standing between their happily-ever-after: his realization he wants a small town life with the woman he loves while she desires professional success in fashion more than anything. Out of the Fire was a finalist in the 25th Annual WisRWA Fabulous Five Contest in the romantic suspense category. This novel will appeal to readers of the Harlequin Intrigue imprint who enjoy the rich characters of B.J. Daniels and the gripping action of Delores Fossen.I'm currently querying agents for representation. Won National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo ) 2017 for the 9th year in a row by writing more than 50,000 new words of original, first draft, romantic suspense novel. This new work is entitled - Once Everything ChangesIn 2007, completed movie screenplay as winner in international Script Frenzy! writing event. In 2004, awarded Third Place in flash fiction contest held by the San Diego CityBeat weekly magazine. In 2003, earned an Honorable Mention for a different super short story published by CityBeat.

Pivoted to execute critical fundraising activities, including direct mail appeals, customized individual solicitations, and donor and prospect calls, following pandemic shutdown of leading regional not-for-profit performing arts organization, resulting in more than $400,000 in contributions from greater than 500 individual donors from April 1, 2020 – July 31, 2020Promoted a culture of philanthropic stewardship at a leading regional not for profit performing arts organization. I collaborated with the Board of Directors and Senior Leadership to raise $1 million a year from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies. Created and executed fundraising strategies, worked with leadership donors, managed staff, and oversaw all fundraising aspects in a complex arts environment serving as the organization's primary Major Gifts Officer, Annual Fund coordinator, Grant Writer, and Special Events Manager.Designed and implemented comprehensive annual development strategy resulting in increased revenue raised from individual donors as well as expanding the pool of individual donors contributing at least $1,000 per year to organization. Organized more than 20 fundraising, donor, patron, and prospect special events yearly. Standardized, documented, and refined organization workflow processes to record and manage donor and prospect information, assuring prompt gift thank you letters, and improving relationships with donors, prospects, and patrons.

Promoted a culture of philanthropic stewardship at Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD) by leading the fundraising and external communications team to benefit local nonprofit agency serving military veterans.Designed and implemented comprehensive development strategyExecuted agency fundraising activities including individual donor and prospect calls, group presentations, major gift solicitations, annual appeal letters, grant applications, and special events. Increased annual average revenue raised from donations from $268,506 to more than $645,000 Refined processes to record and manage donor and prospect information, assuring prompt gift thank you letters, and improving relationships with donors and prospects

Shepherded local 501 (c) 3 Agency with annual budget of $300,000 through transition of organization’s founding leadership by improving financial tracking and administrative processes.Researched and wrote grant application proposals in support of grassroots leadership development and issue campaigns resulting in more than $118,000 in new funding.Created and executed fundraising outreach program targeting local business and individual donors.Provided organizing and logistical support to grassroots leaders with local and faith-based community action.

Staff lead for ten major special events held annually in San Diego and Imperial counties netting over $350,000 in proceeds during calendar year from corporate sponsors, donors and participants benefiting Agency work in burn survivor support, fire and burn prevention, and burn care research.Public speaker responsible for Agency presentations to local United Way/Combined Federal Campaigns, business groups, key community leader meetings, and appointments with individual donors.

Leading staff fund-raiser and public speaker responsible for Agency relationships with businesses, key political and community leaders, local United Way/Combined Federal Campaigns, and individual donorsRepresented Agency program staff and services to Chambers of Commerce, Rotaries, and other business professional organizationsOversaw Agency staff to assure successful execution of Agency brand-awareness and fund-raising special events

Fundraiser and public speaker responsible for Chapter relationships with medium and small businesses, high net-worth individuals, and local United Way/Combined Federal CampaignsChapter organizer for Real Heroes Awards breakfast raising over $150,000 from nearly 800 attendeesResponsible to screen, recruit, orient, train and place chapter volunteers following Wildfires Disaster during local Chapter staff reorganization

Significantly increased market share of promoted products from direct hospital purchases and area retail pharmacy prescriptionsDelivered impactful, effective sales calls to prominent teaching hospitals, hospital-affiliated clinics, specialist physicians and high-volume primary care practicesUtilized lateral leadership to enable territory representatives to exceed specific sales goals in targeted geographic areas