Work in partnership with dedicated volunteer board of directors to provide thoughtful, visionary leadership that is inclusive, transparent, and empowering, supporting and guiding the organization into and through its next stage of development.- Took over longstanding, well-regarded community leadership organization struggling through extended period of executive leadership instability.- Brought organization out of long-term structural deficit into stability, poised for growth.- Developed and implemented plan to right-size staffing, trim expenses while maximizing sustainable revenue, and rebuilding donor and partner relationships,- Made key hires to re-invigorate organization's event, marketing, and fund development operations, re-introducing it to the community after many inconsistent years.- Completed key capital projects and launched new initiatives to continue development of sites under organization management.- Launched new community programs to activate historic site, bringing new visitors to central gem to enjoy, explore, celebrate, and learn.- Leading senior staff in process development and management in support of organization's mission.- Presenting strategic options and plans for organization impact, gaining board approval as needed to carry out mission of organization.- Creating and fostering a culture that encourages collaboration between departments and recognizes positive contributions.- Leading strategic reuse plan for historic site, to refresh and re-evaluate markets and uses to ensure properties are best fulfilling community and market needs while continuing historic preservation focus.- Inspiring professional, results-driven environment across the organization.- Representing organization and serving as chief spokesperson.- Maintaining regular and ongoing communication with board of directors, fostering strong relationships, providing leadership and support.

Elected to the county council in November 2018 and took office Jan. 2, 2019. Representing District 1 and serving the entire county.• Represented Clark County residents on county governing body.• Served as one of five legislators creating and overseeing county budget and policy.• Synthesized large amounts of information quickly and effectively.• Communicated regularly with constituents and stakeholders to learn about what was and wasn’t working and how to continually improve Clark County for its residents.• Worked collaboratively with leaders from other jurisdictions to manage jointly-held agencies, include C-TRAN, the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), and others.• Sought innovative solutions to complex problems of governance, and worked alongside appointed and elected leaders to manage for greatest service and inclusion.State Board Appointments:Washington State Board of HealthAffordable Housing Advisory BoardFMSIB - Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board2022 Council assignments:C-Tran Board (2022 Board Chair)Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of SW WABoard of HealthBoard of Greater Clark Parks DistrictElder Justice Executive BoardEmergency Medical Services Districts Board #1Industrial Revenue Bond BoardJPACT - Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (Portland Metro Area)RDPO - Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization (Portland Metro Area)RTC - Regional Transportation CouncilSWWA Regional Health Care Advisory Committee

• Independent consultant specializing in communications, fundraising and development, political management, nonprofit management.• Work with cross-functional teams to deliver complex, time-critical analysis and information to key stakeholders.• Help clients establish priorities, budget, plan, and monitor program or campaign effectiveness.• Consultation and coaching on major gifts and donor management for small nonprofit organizations.• Develop operations, fundraising, communications, and campaign plans.• Write, edit, plan and produce campaigns, reports, content, blogs, social media and video.• Deal effectively with ambiguity and work under deadline pressure.

Manage business and marketing for The Heather DeFord Group, a high-producing brokerage with Cascade Sotheby's International Realty.

Work with board and staff to promote Foundation's mission, vision and fundraising strategy, in service of the quality of life in Clark County.Led the organization in expanding major gifts solicitation and stewardship, expanded annual gifts/membership program, stabilized and increased revenue at multiple annual events, and strengthened organization's reputation regionally. Working with agency partners and board members, increased organization's grant-writing and management, leading to largest-ever grant in organization's history, $650,000 from a major local grant maker.- Proactively managed a portfolio of prioritized donors and prospects.- Cultivation and purposeful stewardship of relationships.- Corporate and foundation relations as well as individual giving.- Implemented all aspects of the grant cycle for medium and large grants.- Developed and managed overall corporate giving strategy.- Implemented all aspects of the gift cycle for corporate donors.- Cultivated long-term relationships with foundation trustees, program officers, and corporate and individual donors.- Managed small and efficient staff for greatest outcome. - Prospect research, identification, and qualification. - Volunteer recruitment and management.- Grant writing, submission and tracking.- Communications, public speaking, and effectively representing organization to the community.

Internal and external communications for the union that serves nurses and health professionals (mostly) in the Kaiser Permanente system.• Direct all aspects of the organization’s internal and external communications. • Develop and communicate key messages for a broad set of constituencies. • Plan, write and edit all printed and digital communications, ensuring consistent and clear message throughout.• Serve as key advisor to elected President and appointed Chief of Staff on the planning, development and implementation of communications strategies.• Coordinate closely with elected officers and paid staff to secure and distribute accurate, timely information. • Write speeches, talking points and outlines for elected leaders and key staff.• Plan and manage all member involvement, community involvement and feedback, including meetings, surveys, site visits, focus groups, and more. • Direct work of support staff and volunteer committee members.• Establish and foster effective relationships with partner organizations, community groups, corporate partners, and the media.• Developed and systematically implemented comprehensive communications strategy that includes traditional and emerging media.

• Contract commercial and corporate writing, with focus on public involvement and information.• Develop grant applications, requests for proposal, newsletters, publicity campaigns, annual reports, web content, promotional materials, social networking applications.• Feature writing and reviews for local and national publications. • Interpretive writing and research for museum and exhibit development.• Training and workshops on skills and communications development for individuals, busineses and nonprofits.

Coordinated all aspects of successful campaign to unseat a 14-year incumbent.-Worked closely with candidate to develop campaign strategy and messaging, and maintain consistency throughout campaign.-Recruited, trained, scheduled and supervised campaign volunteers, who assisted with canvassing, phone banking, mailing and administration, and events.-Managed fundraising efforts, including mail solicitations, events, and personal calls by candidates.-Led strategic planning with Kitchen Cabinet and consultants.-Developed promotional and communications materials in conjunction with marketing consultant; implemented plans and followed up.-Maintained candidate's schedule and assisted candidate at public appearances.-Wrote scripts, talking points, articles, emails and blog posts for candidate/campaign.-Developed and maintained press relationships, coordinated all press releases and press events.

• Managed all details and coordination of major multi-day fundraising event, serving ~8,000 visitors and 400+ volunteers, including volunteer board of directors.• Fostered and increased member/donor relationships, increasing renewals and activity by 25% in 2008.• Established strong community partnerships that decreased expenses, increased revenues, and broadened supporter base.• Developed innovative programs to increase interest and community participation 25% over 3 years, systematically adjusting an outdated fundraising and communications model.• Developed and implemented targeted communications plans to strategically maximize exposure to appropriate internal and external audiences.• Effectively managed all fiscal and organizational aspects of event.

• Strategized business development efforts, including prospect research, fulfilling proposal requests, and communicating with potential clients.• Managed research and writing teams to create full museums, museum exhibits, and immersive interpretive environments.• Worked closely with clients to develop vision and orchestrated content team's approach to deliver that vision, including frequent interface with constituents.• Projects included: Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville, KY; Washington Companies, Missoula, MT; Wabash County Historical Museum, Wabash, IN; Waverley Country Club, Portland, OR,and many more.

• Hired to manage change and refresh image for long-standing community theater.• Implemented direct-response campaign to increase season ticket-holders by 25% in first year. Additional increase of 25% in year following.• Implemented membership plan to increase donor participation and satisfaction while also increasing funds raised.• Refined and redirected marketing and promotions to reach a broader audience with no additional expense.• Increased annual attendance by 20%; increased volunteer base by 50% over two years.

• Managed professional theater space and programming in community arts center.• Worked closely with professional theater artists, City officials, and educators to develop action and use plan for jointly-owned space.• Coordinated and developed educational programs for Chicago Public Schools and Master Classes with professional theater artists.

Advertising Manager June 1999-June 2000Assistant Publicity Manager June 1997-June 1999• Planned, developed and tracked all media buys for 200+ books annually, including 25+ mass market books/year.• Worked with marketing department to develop promotional strategy for all books, with special mass media emphasis on mass market books.• Wrote and edited advertising, catalog and jacket copy.• Handled all publicity efforts for specific imprints and supported and coordinated all publicity efforts for mass market books, with guidance from Publicity Manager.