Dynamic fundraising leader on the FWSO Development team, responsible for raising funds in support of the FWSO and its $14M budget. Reporting to the VP of Development, with a dotted line to the President/CEO, responsibilities include: management of personal portfolio including corporate, foundation, individual, and major gift opportunities; analytics of giving data for various strategic and long term forecasting projects; supervision and preparation of grant applications and reports ahead of deadlines; development and maintenance of yearly stewardship and cultivation cycle; partnering to develop unique stewardship and engagement opportunities to drive giving opportunities and encourage further interests in FWSO activities; diplomacy in board correspondence and governance; coordination of meaningful and effective moves management; and timely progress against goals and budget through supervision of funding forecasts.

Collaborative fundraising professional on the Individual Giving team responsible for several of the Houston Symphony’s Major Giving groups, including the Young Associates Council, donors to the Ima Hogg Competition, Musician Sponsors, and other giving groups. Acting as a champion for the organization to ensure artistic and financial success through: Responsible and meaningful moves management; planning and implementation of dynamic and engaging events for each group; overseeing the effective coordination of multiple volunteer committees with various stakeholders; timely progress against departmental and institutional financial goals and budget; creating unique stewardship opportunities which encourage further commitment and interest in the organization.

Staff partner on the South Region Distinguished Events team whose mission is to save lives and create a world free from cancer by managing large-scale Distinguished Events portfolio events and mission related activities. Ensure goal achievement through: Directing and offering leadership on organizational and vendor efforts and logistics; effective volunteer management and engagement; monitoring financial expenditures and progress against budgetary plans; responsible pipeline planning and forecasting to ensure high ROI against income targets; collaborating to establish powerful stewardship and cultivation strategies.

Highly visible brand ambassador and leader on the events team whose objective was to plan, develop, and execute innovative first-class events that financially develop and build awareness of the Houston Symphony’s initiatives laid out in the Vision 2025 Strategic Plan. Provided exceptional support and entrepreneurial drive for the events and individual giving teams, including: Planning and execution of vision for event; coordinating vendor and sponsor contracts and logistics of operational event needs; comprehensive oversight of budgets and projected event goals; drafting, proofing, and distribution of donor correspondence; coordinating media, VIP, and musician relations; and managing a portfolio of annual fund donors.Key Contributions:• Served as a primary point of contact for event chairs and hosts for three major annual fundraisers and several donor cultivation events.• Collaborated with the Director, Special Events, to raise record amounts of contributed revenue for the 2014-2015 Houston Symphony Opening Night Concert and Gala and 2015 Houston Symphony Ball, raising $585,677 and $1.58M, respectively. • Coordinated the successful execution of the annual Wine Auction during the 2015 and 2016 Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction, contributing to the overall revenue goals of $500,000 and $550,000, respectively. • In absence of Director, Special Events, took the lead with the Chief Development Officer, consulting firm and other institutional colleagues to raise record $801,800 in contributed revenue for the 2015-2016 Houston Symphony Opening Night Concert and Gala and $1.5M for the 2016 Houston Symphony Ball. • Throughout the 2016 fiscal year, in absence of Director, Special Events, successfully managed more of the day-to-day donor and sponsor relationships through entrepreneurial spirit and leadership. • Managed a portfolio with a total annual giving capacity of $45,000 and a lifetime giving total of $217,000.

Before and after final semester of undergraduate study, collaborated with the marketing and communications team in various respects. Responsibilities included: Writing and pitching publicity plans internally and to media outlets; writing and distributing press releases, interview questions, and other materials; maintaining and updating media contact list; providing weekly and monthly reports regarding publicity plans and outcomes; coordinating and attending interviews; and liaising with Houston Symphony media vendors and guestsKey Contribution:• Took charge in single ticket campaign promotion of Pixar in Concert in order to help improve sales, exceeding revenue goals by 20%.• Drafted survey for attendees of the first annual Day of Music to better understand demand and expectations, aiming to provide a better overall customer experience for event in future. • Brainstormed ideas of improving current system of archiving press coverage to provide better metrics on media coverage. • Collaborated with communications team on publicity plan and media coverage for 2014-15 Season Announcement, including coordination of media invitations and overall event logistics with Marketing and Development teams.