Karen Starleaf
Calabasas,California
Summary
Advancement professional dedicated to donor-centered fundraising. By listening deeply to understand what inspires generosity, I help connect each donor’s personal motivations with the mission and programmatic needs of the organization. I believe that authentic, personalized communication is key to nurturing meaningful and lasting philanthropic relationships. I thrive as a member of a collaborative team committed to elevating the donor experience and cultivating gifts that make a lasting impact at every level of engagement.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Philanthropy & Communications
La Reina
01.2014 - 06.2024
- Cultivated a strong culture of philanthropy throughout the La Reina community by leading a department that focused on data- and relationship-driven strategies.
- Created a robust major gift program that incorporated a strong stewardship and moves management component, and successfully secured gifts ranging from $5,000 to $375,000.
- Achieved $1 million in annual fundraising, consistently surpassing goals by an average of 20%.
- Through a highly targetted and segemented approach, increased constituent giving for the parent giving from 19% to over 80% and alumnae giving from 0.03% to nearly 10%.
- Launched La Reina Today magazine, published bi-annually, to strengthen community engagement.
- Improved external communications via weekly newsletter Regent Roundup, fostering community relationships.
Regional Director, Major Gifts
The ALS Association, National Office
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Identified, nurtured, and engaged major and planned gift donors in the western region of the U.S. and exceeded the annual goal of $2M
- Organized and managed regional events to foster donor relationships and stewardship
- Offered guidance and leadership to chapter executive directors and board members, developing strategies to optimize revenue across all levels of donor engagement
- Provided mentorship and advice to regional development officers, focusing on Moves Management
- Served as the primary writer for the national development team, creating communications including case statements and stories for national magazine
Director, Donor Relations
The ALS Association, National Office
01.2009 - 01.2013
- Established The ALS Promise Fund (http://www.ALSpromise.org), an innovative major gift fundraising initiative aimed at increasing revenue from the middle of the donor engagement pyramid.
- Led the implementation of The Promise Fund across all 37 Chapters of The Association, providing guidance and support to chapter development staff
- Created content for major gift donor communications proposals, stewardship reports, and articles for The Association’s national magazine
- Managed the annual fund program, which included rebranding and developing donor solicitation materials
Contract Employee
The ALS Association, National Office
01.2005 - 01.2009
- Developed fundraising case statements; as well as donor stories and research-based articles for national publications
- Crafted donor appeal package for Family Fund program
Director, Planned Giving
The ALS Association, National Office
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Identified, cultivated, and solicited new planned gifts
- Expanded comprehensive planned giving marketing and stewardship strategies for program
- Developed toolkit to enable Association chapters to expand their development function to include planned giving
- Trained chapter staff and volunteers in planned giving best practices
Associate Vice President of Development
The ALS Association, National Office
01.1995 - 01.2000
- Designed and launched planned giving program that resulted in significant annual revenue
- Created planned giving newsletter and comprehensive direct mail marketing strategy
- Established The Lou Gehrig Legacy Society to acknowledge and build lasting relationships with donors
- Collaborated with CEO and vice president, development, to implement a comprehensive national fundraising strategy
- Participated in case statement and blueprint development for The Lou Gehrig Challenge, an ALS research capital campaign
- Member of the national strategic planning committee
Director of Development
American Lung Association of Los Angeles County
01.1994 - 01.1995
- Implemented a comprehensive fundraising program, encompassing foundation and corporate giving, major individual gifts, and special events fundraising
- Supervised department staff and managed consulting relationships
Director, Environmental Health Program
American Lung Association of Los Angeles County
01.1991 - 01.1994
- Created occupational and environmental health programs to address the diverse lung health needs of communities within Los Angeles County
- Conducted a needs assessment within the Latino community and implemented the findings
- Organized and facilitated educational conferences for environmental and healthcare professionals
- Recruited and trained volunteers to support program initiatives
Education
Master of Public Health (MPH) - Health Education/Behavioral Sciences
UCLA
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - English
UCLA
Skills
- Fundraising strategy and major gift solicitation
- Relationship management and donor engagement
- Stewardship practices and donor stewardship
- Data analysis and management
- Budget management and financial oversight
- Communications planning
Timeline
Director of Philanthropy & Communications
La Reina
01.2014 - 06.2024
Regional Director, Major Gifts
The ALS Association, National Office
01.2013 - 01.2014
Director, Donor Relations
The ALS Association, National Office
01.2009 - 01.2013
Contract Employee
The ALS Association, National Office
01.2005 - 01.2009
Director, Planned Giving
The ALS Association, National Office
01.2000 - 01.2003
Associate Vice President of Development
The ALS Association, National Office
01.1995 - 01.2000
Director of Development
American Lung Association of Los Angeles County
01.1994 - 01.1995
Director, Environmental Health Program
American Lung Association of Los Angeles County
01.1991 - 01.1994
Master of Public Health (MPH) - Health Education/Behavioral Sciences
UCLA
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - English
UCLA
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