Kelly Anne Sylvester
Spokane,WA
Summary
Strategic thinking professional with over 20 years of experience building and growing relationships to drive revenue. Enthusiastic, collaborative team member who loves to bring people together and thrives on learning new things.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Development
Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS)
2012.08 - Current
- Build relationships with corporations, hospitals, medical clinics, pharmacies, alumni, and community members to enhance to college mission and provide funding for research, endowments, scholarships, and general operations.
- Manage a portfolio of 120+ alumni, donors, and community stakeholders
- Set up face-to-face visits to expand brand of the college, educate community stakeholders, build pipeline, and increase philanthropic investment.
- Implement successful communications plan with Advancement team, including strategies for messaging and designing monthly newsletter, annual report, periodic solicitations, and professional correspondence
- Administer CougaRx Nation Pharmacy Alumni Community, including board liaison and fundraising
- Manage donor and community stewardship program, with emphasis on major donors, corporations, and pharmacies
- Serve as primary liaison with WSU Foundation in areas of annual giving and Call a Coug, Cougs Give, and strategies for the Campaign, including serving on task force to identify “Bold, Fundable Ideas.”
- Oversee scholarship process for more than 150 scholarships and endowments, including prospecting for new scholarships and annual scholarship renewals
- Organize and implement special events for alumni and donor relations such as: Celebrating Generosity; Pharmacy Homecoming Weekend and Crimson Gala; Career Fair, Fireside Chats/alumni reunions, and pharmacy conventions.
- Use CRM tools to increase philanthropic investment (sales) and overall productivity.
- Created detailed community/donor database to improve and streamline outreach efforts, resulting in highest alumni participation rate in the university.
Special Events Coordinator
Olive Crest Abused Children’s Foundation
2009.09 - 2012.01
- Develop and implement annual fund-raising plan to meet budget projections for Olive Crest, including cash gifts, endowments, and planned giving
- Manage several annual fund-raising events including community walk, wine tasting, and gala auction
- Develop strategic marketing plan to generate positive coverage of Olive Crest in the media and the community at large
- Assist with grant research and grant writing to access additional funding sources.
Public Relations and Fundraising Consultant
Ward & Sylvester Public Affairs
1997.01 - 2007.01
- Consultant specializing in relationship building, public relations, marketing, and fund-raising
- Former clients: (partial list) Spokane Home Builders Association (SHBA), HomeAid Orange County, Irvine, CA, Building Industry Association of Southern California
- Contracted duties: Create and implement fund-raising programs to meet revenue goals, including cultivation of donors, identification and preparation of grants, creation of fund-raising events, and establishment of community support programs
- Develop community outreach program, public relations and marketing plans to build brand image and visibility
- Provide leadership and motivation to fund-raising committees and volunteers
- Maintain positive working relationship with committee members and staff
Director of Community Affairs
Building Industry Association of Orange County (BIA/OC)
1993.01 - 1997.01
- Served as government affairs director for BIA, one of Orange County’s largest trade associations comprised of 1,200 member companies
- Managed a staff of eight team members
- Responsible for inter-governmental relations with 31 cities and the County of Orange.
Community Outreach and Development Director
HomeAid Orange County
1991.01 - 1993.01
- Served as development director for BIA’s charity, HomeAid Orange County
- Formed a fundraising committee to help launch HomeAid, eventually raising nearly $1 million for the program
- Identified grant sources and completed applications, resulting in numerous grants to fund HomeAid Orange County and help launch HomeAid America.
Education
B.A. - English with Journalism Emphasis
Chapman University
Orange, CA01.1991
Skills
- Building and Maintaining Relationships
- Market Research and Analysis
- Conflict Resolution
- Critical Thinker
- Excellent Writing Skills
- Sense of Humor
Accomplishments
- Achieved highest annual fundraising goal in the history of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2023, raising $4.4 million for the college.
- Built a process and relationships that keeps the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences ranked #1 in alumni participation among all the 13 units at WSU.
- Landed the largest gift in the history of college ($2.2 million) to help fund the Rural Health Initiative and provide health care in rural communities throughout Washington State.
References
- Linda Garrelts MacLean, Emeritus Faculty and Former Dean, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 509-995-4926
- Nancy Fike, Senior Director of Development, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, 509-710-8910
- Gina Cunningham, Executive Director, HomeAid Orange County, 949-553-9510
Timeline
Director of Development
Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS)
2012.08 - Current
Special Events Coordinator
Olive Crest Abused Children’s Foundation
2009.09 - 2012.01
Public Relations and Fundraising Consultant
Ward & Sylvester Public Affairs
1997.01 - 2007.01
Director of Community Affairs
Building Industry Association of Orange County (BIA/OC)
1993.01 - 1997.01
Community Outreach and Development Director
HomeAid Orange County
1991.01 - 1993.01
B.A. - English with Journalism Emphasis
Chapman University
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