Hi, I’m
Heather Gennette
Concordia,KS
Summary
Heather Gennette, CFRE, is a highly accomplished Foundation Executive Director with a proven track record of strategic leadership and fundraising expertise. With a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership, Heather excels in managing teams and individuals to achieve peak performance while setting clear expectations and fostering high performance. Heather possess strong communication skills, coupled with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders, have been instrumental in successfully cultivating relationships with donors, alumni, and community partners. Heather's extensive experience in strategic planning, fundraising, and stewardship, combined with exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, make Heather a valuable asset in driving the mission and objectives of Cloud County Community College. Accomplished Executive Director recognized for leveraging strong team leadership and development to drive forward progress. Highly organized, detail-oriented leader skilled in directing high-performing teams to develop solutions and solve operational and technical problems. Success implementing systems across multiple operations with superior organizational and communication skills.
Overview
14
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
Cloud County Community College
Foundation Executive Director
02.2017 - Current
Job overview
- Developed and executed strategic plans aligned with organizational objectives to enhance fundraising, scholarship programs, and community engagement initiatives, driving sustainable growth and impact
- Successfully completed capital improvement projects totaling more than $20,000,000 to build and renovate facilities
- Managed and distributed more than $12,000,000 in endowed scholarship funds
- Increased overall annual fundraising by 200% by successfully executing new low-cost initiatives that yielded more profit to support Cloud County Community College
- Ensured proper stewardship of donor contributions through meticulous record-keeping, timely acknowledgments, and transparent communication of philanthropic impact, fostering trust and long-term engagement with donors
- Spearheaded comprehensive fundraising campaigns and initiatives, cultivating relationships with diverse stakeholders to secure financial support for scholarships, programs, and capital projects, fostering culture of philanthropy and investment in education
- Championed Foundation's mission within local community and beyond, cultivating partnerships with businesses, organizations, and educational institutions to expand outreach and amplify Foundation's impact on student success and community development.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Oversaw financial management, ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability for the organization.
- Guided staff through periods of organizational change, maintaining morale and engagement during transitions.
- Forge strong relationships with board members, providing regular updates on organizational progress and soliciting their expertise when needed.
- Monitored compliance with laws and regulations to protect organization from legal liabilities and penalties.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a collaborative work environment for increased productivity.
- Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
- Built relationships with donors, government officials and other organizations to secure funding and support for organization.
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging professional development opportunities for staff members.
- Represented organization to local public by giving presentations and speeches and participating in community events.
- Exercised appropriate cost control to meet budget restrictions and maximize profitability.
- Collaborated with external organizations including non-profits, businesses and government agencies to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Developed strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to expand the organization''s reach and influence.
- Led successful fundraising campaigns, securing critical resources for program development and expansion.
- Advocated for organization and company mission to raise awareness and support.
Cloud County Community College
Foundation Interim Executive Director
01.2016 - 01.2017
Job overview
- Developed and implemented operating plans and budgets focused on generating new funds and cultivating new donor relationships, driving sustainable growth and diversification of funding sources
- Led strategic planning meetings for the Foundation's Board of Directors, guiding discussions and decision-making processes to align organizational priorities and initiatives with strategic goals, ensuring effective
- Served as the Foundation's public face, representing the organization within the community and overseeing fundraising activities, leveraging strong communication and relationship-building skills to inspire support and engagement from stakeholders
- Collaborated with College staff to integrate donor-focused content into publications and websites, showcasing the impact of philanthropic gifts through compelling stories and statistics, enhancing donor engagement and stewardship efforts
- Demonstrated proficiency in building and nurturing networks with major individual philanthropic donors and family foundations, fostering lasting relationships and securing significant contributions to support organizational objectives.
- Developed and implemented organizational strategies to achieve set goals and objectives and secured long-term success.
- Defined company roles and responsibilities to establish and enhance processes.
Cloud County Community College
Foundation Coordinator of Fundraising and Alumni Relations
10.2010 - 07.2016
Job overview
- Collaborated with the Foundation Executive Director to develop holistic fundraising strategies aligned with college priorities, leveraging data analysis and market research to identify and capitalize on prospective donor opportunities
- Cultivated and stewarded relationships with diverse donor segments, implementing tailored stewardship plans to recognize contributions and foster sustained engagement, enhancing support for Cloud County Community College
- Directed fundraising campaigns and initiatives to meet annual goals, leveraging marketing materials, digital strategies, and events to raise awareness and engage stakeholders, driving momentum and participation in fundraising efforts
- Developed and oversaw programs to connect with Cloud County Community College alumni, organizing events and networking opportunities to foster meaningful connections and encourage ongoing involvement and support.
- Implemented social media strategies to increase online presence, driving higher levels of public engagement with the foundation''s work.
- Enhanced donor relations by creating personalized communication materials and providing timely updates on project progress.
- Maintained updated knowledge of industry trends and best practices through active participation in conferences or webinars related to nonprofit management or philanthropy fields.
- Conducted thorough research on potential donors, identifying new opportunities for financial support.
- Analyzed project outcomes using data-driven evaluation methods for continuous improvement in program effectiveness.
- Managed sensitive information with utmost discretion, ensuring donor privacy and adherence to organizational policies.
- Contributed creative ideas during brainstorming sessions that led to innovative programming initiatives aligned with the foundation's mission.
- Collaborated with team members to develop and implement successful fundraising campaigns, resulting in increased donations.
- Coordinated volunteer efforts to maximize impact on foundation projects, improving overall program delivery.
- Assisted in budget development and financial tracking, maintaining transparency and accountability within the organization.
- Provided exceptional administrative support to foundation staff, ensuring smooth daily operations and efficient use of resources.
Education
Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS
Masters in Professional Studies: Organizational Leadership
01.2021
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Bachelor of Science: Apparel And Textile, Apparel Marketing
01.2010
Skills
- Grant Writing
- Program Development
- Financial Management
- Database Management
- Community Engagement
- Strategic Planning
- Prospect Research
- Relationship Building
- Public Speaking
- Innovation and Creativity
- Executive Leadership
- Innovative and Visionary
- Policies and Procedures
- Planning and Coordination
- Effective Communicator
- Board Reporting
Certification
- Highly organized, able to meet deadlines, able to multi-task, and perform well under pressure.
- Highly motivated with the ability to work with little direct supervision; great teamwork skills and a positive attitude.
- Coordinated with other agencies and professionals to ensure that donor's needs were met in a timely and efficient manner.
- Strong communication skills including the ability to communicate with all sectors, and excellent writing/public speaking skills
- Ability to manage teams and individuals to enable them to perform to their fullest potential; set clear expectations and demand high performance
Timeline
Foundation Executive Director
Cloud County Community College
02.2017 - Current
Foundation Interim Executive Director
Cloud County Community College
01.2016 - 01.2017
Foundation Coordinator of Fundraising and Alumni Relations
Cloud County Community College
10.2010 - 07.2016
Fort Hays State University
Masters in Professional Studies: Organizational Leadership
Kansas State University
Bachelor of Science: Apparel And Textile, Apparel Marketing
- Highly organized, able to meet deadlines, able to multi-task, and perform well under pressure.
- Highly motivated with the ability to work with little direct supervision; great teamwork skills and a positive attitude.
- Coordinated with other agencies and professionals to ensure that donor's needs were met in a timely and efficient manner.
- Strong communication skills including the ability to communicate with all sectors, and excellent writing/public speaking skills
- Ability to manage teams and individuals to enable them to perform to their fullest potential; set clear expectations and demand high performance
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