Arlene Fortunato

Recruited to lead the integration of communications, marketing and fundraising for the region's largest and most established provider of human services focused on mental heath, addiction services, homelessness, early childhood intervention and developmental disabilities programs. Responsible for establishing a strategy to raise awareness and generate revenue for the 50 year-old organization with a $170,000,000 operating budget, 2,000 employees and 180 program sites.

Serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, provided strategic oversight to inform best practices for fundraising, internal cross-functional collaboration, leveraging data, organizational structure and board governance. Manage Advancement Team responsible for special events, individual giving, foundation and corporate support.

Established the reunification of the development, marketing, communications and public affairs teams to create the Advancement Department. Led team of 30+ members to generate pre-COVID annual revenue of $20M through multi-channeled and matrixed programs, exceeding annual KPI goals each year.

- During COVID-19, accelerated activity and nurtured the team in generating $100mm and securing 60,000 new donors during calendar year 2020. Maintained a donor retention rate of 65%, over twice the national average.

Solely responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive communications and fundraising strategy to raise visibility of the Kraft Center and secure funds to support its work. Secured first $1,000,000 gift in year one.

- Executive-level consulting on strategies for market positioning, resource development, strategic planning, community relations, organizational development, governance and leadership development for nonprofit organizations.

- Certified Woman-Owned business selected to participate in the inaugural class of the US Small Business Administration "SBA Emerging 200," a national initiative to develop small businesses in the urban core.

- Created Public Affairs Department responsible for internal and external communications, media relations, community outreach, corporate sponsorships and corporate philanthropy. Led the Community Reinvestment/Community Lending program and employee volunteer programs for commercial bank with 175 branches and $14 billion in assets.

- Official public spokesperson for the bank.

- Served on the 5-member Senior Management Team responsible for day-today operations and reposting to the President & CEO.

- Served as Senior Advisor to Hon. Thomas M. Menino on matters related to strategic planning, community relations, marketing and media.

- Reported to the Mayor; served at the Cabinet level.

- Represented the Mayor's Office in the merger of Boston City Hospital and Boston University Medical Center and the creation of HealthNet.

- Speech writer and presentation coach for annual State of the City Address.

- Developed and taught graduate-level course on Strategic Fundraising and Corporate Philanthropy.

• Designed curriculum and taught graduate level course on Corporate Community Relations