my work

01

Duke Lemur Center

The situation: When I was hired, the university had just decided it wouldn’t close the Center, although the situation was tenuous.

After listening to staff and donors and observing the current strategies, I developed a plan to dramatically increase support. With the help and support of the administration and staff, we changed the way we presented the Lemur Center to the university and to the public.

The results: We tripled the donor base and more than tripled total giving. This was during a time when the country was experiencing an economic downturn, and most units at Duke University and elsewhere failed to meet their goals. In fact, at that time, only two units at the university met or exceeded their goals. We were the only unit to exceed our goal.

Photo courtesy of David Haring, lemur.duke.edu.

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02

North Hills Christian School

When I arrived at North Hills Christian School, enrollment had been declining for the last five years. The board had realized that if the trend continued, they would have to consider closing the school. I took on the roles of Development, Communications and Admissions. I started with a marketing survey, which revealed a small number of critical changes that needed to be implemented. With the support of the board and staff, we were able to make the changes.

The results: We corrected the factors that were leading to families leaving; we corrected the factors which were harming the reputation of the school; we created a
warm, collegial atmosphere based on positive inter-personal relationships. This resulted in increasing the enrollment year after year and far better retention. It also more than doubled the donor base. We started an alumni group and increased both alumni and grandparent engagement.

My heart was touched, when the Board Chair at North Hills called and said the Head of School had developed cancer and needed to step down, but they knew if I would come back that faculty, staff, parents and students would feel the school was in good hands.

Photo courtesy of the Salisbury Post.

03

Chatham Hall

Chatham Hall had literally 100 years of building relationships and courting supporters. I added a personal touch by sharing informal communications about touching moments I observed with targeted alumnae, parents and grandparents.

The results: I was the first person to raise more than $1,000,000 in the annual fund, and to bring in the most gifts ever over $10,000. I also helped to set up and close a $3,000,000 ask for the capital campaign. I served them as both Director of Communications and then as Director of Development. As Director of Communications, we won two Addies in one year, when Chatham Hall had only won one in the nine previous years. We also engaged the local news and media in students’ hometowns.

Perhaps the thing that I found most gratifying is that both Chatham Hall (and North Hills) asked me to come back to help them solve situations.

Photo courtesy of Ceillie Simkiss / Register & Bee.