Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Earlier Roles
Certification
References
Milestones Accomplishments
Qualifications Summary
Timeline
Generic

Kathryn BARON

Great Meadows,NJ

Summary

Strategic engagement leader with over 20 years of experience in developing data-driven strategies and forging mission-aligned partnerships in the nonprofit sector. Proven track record of exceeding organizational goals through innovative outreach campaigns and multichannel stakeholder engagement. Expertise in relationship building, lifecycle marketing, and strategic communications, enhancing organizational presence and impact. Demonstrated success in improving customer engagement and visibility through effective search engine optimization and marketing strategies.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

NONPROFIT GROWTH STRATEGIST

THE EDUCATION REFORM PROJECT
04.2024 - Current
  • Recruited to lead the expansion of donor engagement strategies during a period of accelerated growth with a nonprofit transforming the U.S
  • Educational system, championing students' and teachers' needs in public policy
  • Align communication strategies with the evolving educational policy landscape to drive organizational transformation
  • Strategic Planning: Implemented communications framework driving enhanced stakeholder engagement and outreach effectiveness
  • Program Development: Launched a diverse engagement portfolio of webinars, giving campaigns, and events to amplify community impact
  • Partnership Building: Executed targeted outreach to key influencers and community leaders with CRM-tracked relationship management
  • Data Analytics: Leveraged social media metrics to optimize website content and boost audience engagement significantly

FOUNDATION RELATIONS OFFICER

FELLOWSHIPLIFE, INC.
06.2023 - 03.2024
  • Selected to implement high-impact engagement campaigns through a key transformational phase
  • Directed philanthropic strategy and created a giving program to drive engagement and support across 6 New Jersey life plan communities for older adults
  • Moved on after fulfilling core objectives outlined during organizational restructuring
  • Revenue Generation: Generated $22,000 through the Annual Gala and strategic events, securing MARS Wrigley sponsorship
  • Stakeholder Relations: Maintained corporate partnerships through innovative non-financial initiatives despite 95% budget cuts
  • Strategic Development: Expanded major giving through prospect research, resident committees, and compelling proposals
  • Change Management: Secured CEO approval for architectural improvements in a community expansion project

FOUNDER & CONTENT STRATEGIST

BARON STRATEGIC CONTENT MARKETING
01.2021 - 04.2023
  • Launched and scaled boutique consultancy focused on nonprofit growth through innovative content strategies
  • Revenue Growth: Increased e-commerce sales for brick-and-mortar clients by 25% via strategic narrative development during the pandemic
  • Content Development: Researched/authored 96 UNESCO site histories for a global mobile app, increasing downloads and ratings by 60%
  • Brand Strategy: Enhanced client market presence by 35% by implementing data-driven messaging and brand positioning
  • Organizational Leadership: Established complete infrastructure, strategic planning, and mission development for 501(c)(3) nonprofit

SENIOR FUNDRAISING ENGAGEMENT LEAD

PROFESSIONALS FOR NONPROFITS (PNP)
04.2022 - 03.2023
  • Tapped to revitalize underperforming direct response efforts and re-engage lapsed donors through strategic donor engagement initiatives for various New York City nonprofits exceeding industry benchmarks for leading NYC nonprofits
  • Data Analytics: Analyzed/reversed donor disengagement trends through data-driven appeal strategies, achieving a 75% renewal rate
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Designed and implemented a multi-touchpoint retention program, securing a 95% renewal rate among top donors for the Entertainment Community Fund
  • Campaign Strategy: Developed lifecycle-targeted storytelling campaigns using CRM analytics boosted average gift amount by 20%
  • Performance Optimization: Established new benchmarks for donor engagement via innovative outreach strategies and metrics-driven campaign refinement

SENIOR MANAGER, DIRECT RESPONSE & COMMUNICATIONS

CITYMEALS ON WHEELS
04.2015 - 09.2019
  • Company Overview: second-largest Meals on Wheels organization in the United States
  • Orchestrated direct response strategy for the second-largest Meals on Wheels organization in the United States
  • Campaign Management: Generated $6M+ annual revenue by leading 14+ annual multi-channel marketing campaigns for high volume
  • Innovation Leadership: Championed implementation of predictive modeling, increasing revenue by 15% across a 30,000-donor database
  • Strategic Communications: Elevated public outreach effectiveness and average gift amounts by 15% through insight-driven messaging
  • Project Leadership: Directed comprehensive campaign execution for a 2M-person audience, managing complex timelines, segmentation, analysis, and brand alignment
  • Second-largest Meals on Wheels organization in the United States

MANAGER OF DIRECT MARKETING

CITY HARVEST
05.2009 - 11.2014
  • Company Overview: New York City's largest food rescue organization
  • Contributed to improved efficiency and success of the Individual Giving program for New York City's largest food rescue organization
  • Campaign Management: Directed full-scale direct response campaigns achieving 8% annual revenue growth and exceeding $5.5-6M targets, including the successful relaunch of Quarterly Newsletter
  • Data Analytics: Leveraged market research and data insights to expand 30k+ donor base by 10% through targeted content innovations
  • Budget Administration: Optimized Development Department resource allocation through strategic forecasting and expense management
  • Leadership: Led Database Department team, establishing cross-departmental CRM protocols and maintaining data integrity standards
  • Strategic Planning: Launched data-driven (performance metrics, market analysis) donor engagement initiatives to drive sustainable growth
  • New York City's largest food rescue organization

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, Membership

Museum of Arts & Design
01.2006 - 04.2009
  • Led overall membership marketing campaign plan for the museum’s grand opening at Columbus Circle, achieving a 171% increase in membership, (tripling households) solidifying the museum’s reputation in the arts community. Also led all volunteer engagements leading up to the opening.

Education

MA - Nonprofit Administration & Museum Studies

Seton Hall University
NJ

BA - History - Double Minor: Law & Journalism

The College of New Jersey
NJ

Skills

  • Strategic Planning
  • Campaign Strategy & Execution
  • Data Analytics & Insights
  • Direct Response Programs
  • Relationship Management
  • Cross-Functional Team Leadership
  • Content Strategy
  • Revenue Growth Planning
  • Donor Relations
  • CRM Systems (Raiser’s Edge, DonorPerfect)

Earlier Roles

  • ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, Membership, Museum of Arts & Design, 01/2006, 04/2009
  • MEMBERSHIP MANAGER, Museum of Arts & Design, 12/2000, 12/2005

Certification

Fundamentals of Raiser's Edge, Blackbaud, 2018

References

"A strategic leader with unparalleled emotional intelligence and stakeholder communication abilities.", Executive Director/CEO, Education Reform Project

Milestones Accomplishments

  • Raised $50M+ in revenue through innovative engagement strategies and brand alignment initiatives while leading fundraising at City Harvest/Citymeals on Wheels.
  • Established and maintained partnerships with major corporations, including MARS Wrigley, sustaining relationships despite a 95% budget reduction. (FellowshipLIFE)
  • Tripled membership to 8,000 households and achieved a 171% surge through the first national multi-year marketing campaign. (Museum of Arts & Design)
  • Pioneered the implementation of predictive modeling in CRM systems, driving a 15% revenue increase across 30,000+ donors. (Citymeals on Wheels)
  • Launched a young patron membership program, generating $25,000 via strategic event development. (Museum of Arts & Design)
  • Led the Museum of Arts & Design's transformation into an arts community thought leader through strategic partnerships with iconic New York institutions and diverse stakeholder engagement. (Museum of Arts & Design, EDURP, Consulting)

Qualifications Summary

NONPROFIT OPERATIONS & CLIENT LIFECYCLE SPECIALIST Strategic engagement leader with 20+ years of experience developing data-driven engagement strategies and building mission-aligned partnerships across the nonprofit sector. Expertise in exceeding organizational goals through innovative outreach campaigns and multichannel stakeholder engagement initiatives. Highly comfortable and effective in relationship building, lifecycle marketing, and strategic communications with exceptional ability to strengthen organizational presence and impact across diverse sectors.

Timeline

NONPROFIT GROWTH STRATEGIST

THE EDUCATION REFORM PROJECT
04.2024 - Current

FOUNDATION RELATIONS OFFICER

FELLOWSHIPLIFE, INC.
06.2023 - 03.2024

SENIOR FUNDRAISING ENGAGEMENT LEAD

PROFESSIONALS FOR NONPROFITS (PNP)
04.2022 - 03.2023

FOUNDER & CONTENT STRATEGIST

BARON STRATEGIC CONTENT MARKETING
01.2021 - 04.2023

SENIOR MANAGER, DIRECT RESPONSE & COMMUNICATIONS

CITYMEALS ON WHEELS
04.2015 - 09.2019

MANAGER OF DIRECT MARKETING

CITY HARVEST
05.2009 - 11.2014

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, Membership

Museum of Arts & Design
01.2006 - 04.2009

MA - Nonprofit Administration & Museum Studies

Seton Hall University

BA - History - Double Minor: Law & Journalism

The College of New Jersey

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