Years of development experience
Jennifer Olson
Chief Of Staff
Lisle,Illinois
Summary
Self-directed and resourceful Chief of Staff with three years of experience successfully organizing, managing, and delivering cross-departmental projects. Influences and guides at executive-level while executing analyses to support strategy in fast-paced and evolving environment. Proven independent and goal-oriented, achieving goals set forth by Executive Director, Board of Directors and strategic plan.
Overview
18
18
7
7
Years of management experience
Work History
Chief of Staff
YouthBuild Lake County
North Chicago, IL
01.2020 - Current
- Developed 2022-2025 agency strategic plan as member of planning committee and responsible for implementation of plan.
- Applying strategic goals of agency and growing strength and menu of services offered to members.
- Rolled out new pre-apprentice training program and currently implementing apprentice training program.
- Co-manage Board of Directors and Development and Governance sub committees. Lead fundraising initiatives with Development committee generating 68% increase in board driven fundraising.
- Supervise Development and Marketing Departments and participate in hiring, training and performance evaluations to establish and enforce necessary key fundraising and member recruiting efforts.
- Redesigned agency interview process to remove bias.
- Increased revenue from private donors by 48% over two-year period using self-created development strategic plan.
- Annually create yearly training and support plan for Board of Directors.
- Encourage coordination and cooperation among departments and continuous review of interdepartmental processes to support member satisfaction and outcomes of key metrics as mandated by federal grants.
- Developed analytical frameworks, data models and relevant insights to support prioritization, scoping and effective decision-making throughout organization.
- Built project plan template to be used agency-wide to plan and execute events and large projects. Recently integrated this excel template to be used in Microsoft Teams to further employee accountability.
- Continue to execute all responsibilities of Donor Relations Manager with new responsibilities as Chief of Staff.
Donor Relations Manager
YouthBuild Lake County
North Chicago, IL
01.2015 - 01.2020
- Increased fundraising revenue by over 25% by leveraging effective communications, outreach strategies and donor management.
- Designed and implemented board recruiting and extensive onboarding plan and process that resulted in doubling our board size and improved retention and board satisfaction as measured in board self-assessments.
- Cultivated relationships with community, business and local civic leaders in order to draw attention to YouthBuild and bring in new donors and volunteers.
- Worked collaboratively with consultants to provide roadmap of customization to create Salesforce instance with ability to track donors, grants and program participants.
- Maintained integrity of Salesforce database system by updating system, training employees, and generating reports for staff and Board used to track donor and program metrics.
- Researched and identified potential and lapsed donors using Salesforce and Wealth Engine.
- Implemented tiered stewardship plan that included thank you calls from program members.
Consultant
YouthBuild Lake County
North Chicago, IL
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Rehired to help with annual Spring Benefit- planned and executed 2013 Spring Benefit
- Provided supplemental help with list management and collateral materials for 2014 and 2015 Spring Benefits.
Development Manager
YouthBuild Lake County
North Chicago, IL
01.2006 - 01.2010
- Hired as agency’s first Development Manager to establish innovative development program.
- Created and implemented 3-year development plan that included annual appeal, major donor, event and stewardship campaigns.
- Collaborated directly with Executive Director to manage Board of Directors, Coalitions and donors.
- Researched and solicited prospective and past donors.
- Researched, wrote and secured grants including one million dollar federal grant.
- Increased fundraising revenue from $10,000 in 2005 to $469,000 in 2008 through personal gifts, events, grants and annual appeal.
- Implemented solicitation program that increased fundraising event net revenue from $4,000 to $48,000 in one year.
- Designed cultivation and stewardship programs that resulted in renewal gifts from current donors and increased number of donors by 155% over two years.
- Developed departmental systems and procedures to better align workflow processes.
Director
Resurrection Development Foundation
Chicago, Illinois
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Responsible for planning and execution of 22 fundraising and cultivation events, including one of Chicago’s premier fundraising events, The Monarch Ball.
- Managed one associate and directly worked directly with CEO, Vice Presidents, Board Members and five Directors of Development, to increase overall efficiency of their hospital’s fundraising programs.
- Created new event-planning policy that instilled system of accountability for all parties involved with event.
- Created new plan for annual giving society that encompassed new giving and recognition levels for all eight hospitals.
- Employed Raiser’s Edge special events module for all Development events.
- Produced and executed cultivation plan for all events that included participation from Board Members, CEO, Vice Presidents and Resurrection Development Foundation staff.
- Applied new reporting structure for events program that included concise financial reports.
Manager
Advocate Charitable Foundation
Park Ridge, IL
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Planned and executed fundraising galas, golf outings, and corporate and cultivation events.
- Created, managed and reconciled event budgets and event timelines.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors for major event venues, catering, entertainment, printing and recognition materials.
- Directly managed one associate, six volunteer committees and event consultant, ensuring proper implementation of volunteer committee wishes.
- Increased special events fundraising total by $400,000 and increased one-year overall attendance levels by 29 percent over two years.
- Strengthened support to Advocate Bethany Hospital by increasing event fundraising dollars by 71 percent and attendance levels by 39 percent in one year.
Coordinator
Advocate Charitable Foundation
Park Ridge, IL
01.2001 - 01.2002
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations
Bradley University
Peoria, IL 08.1999 - 05.2001
Associate of Arts -
College of Lake County
Grayslake, IL 08.1997 - 05.1999
Skills
- Strategic planning
Volunteer Activities
West Suburban Community Pantry, Woodridge, IL
- Member of Spring Spectacular committee for 7 years. Chair for 3 of those years.
Cradle Adoption Agency, Evanston, IL
- Western Suburbs Coordinator of the VAE Speaking Program
- Volunteer speaker at local high schools on the topic of adoption
Girl Scout Troop Leader, Lisle, IL
- Current troop leader for 9th graders.
- Troop leader since 2nd grade.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
Theodore Roosevelt
Timeline
Chief of Staff
YouthBuild Lake County
01.2020 - Current
Donor Relations Manager
YouthBuild Lake County
01.2015 - 01.2020
Consultant
YouthBuild Lake County
01.2013 - 01.2015
Development Manager
YouthBuild Lake County
01.2006 - 01.2010
Director
Resurrection Development Foundation
01.2004 - 01.2006
Manager
Advocate Charitable Foundation
01.2002 - 01.2004
Coordinator
Advocate Charitable Foundation
01.2001 - 01.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations
Bradley University
08.1999 - 05.2001
Associate of Arts -
College of Lake County
08.1997 - 05.1999
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