Kristi Leonard
Oklahoma City,OK
Summary
Development Director eager to contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail and excellent organizational skills. Clear understanding of Oklahoma City's donor community and donor development with training in public speaking. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Individual Giving
Oklahoma Zoological Society
05.2022 - Current
- Created, implemented, and maintained the Society's first annual giving circle, which raised an additional $125,000 in its first year
- Created and led the strategy for the Society's portfolio of major gift donors and prospects. Built and managed a portfolio of 85 donors at the $10K level along with six- to seven-figure prospects. Developed bespoke cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for each donor
- Collaborated with the Executive Director, OKC Zoo CEO, and Board of Directors to manage select, high-capacity donors, including support for meeting preparation, making the ask, and follow-up
- Built and managed meaningful relationships with prospects and donors through visits, correspondence, and consistent communication. Utilized research skills to build a qualified pipeline of new prospects and implement effective donor engagement opportunities
- Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen existing donor relationships
- Collaborated with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and other Senior Leadership to create and implement the Society's strategic plan
- Tracked trends and implemented enhancements to both challenge and refine the Society's development efforts
- Utilized public speaking skills to give presentations about the Society and the OKC Zoo to service organizations and community groups to build support for the Zoo's conservation efforts
- Helped create and implement the strategy for the Zoo's most recent capital campaign, raising $6 million for Expedition Africa, the Zoo's largest habitat expansion in its history
- Assisted with developing the Society's annual operating budget and set fundraising goals for team members
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events
Director of Development and Communications
Smart Start Central Oklahoma
08.2020 - Current
- Developed and executed Smart Start's first comprehensive development plan resulting in 7% increase in donations in first year of implementation
- Developed and implemented Smart Start's donor stewardship program cultivating 53 new donors and recapturing 25 donors
- Communicate fundraising goals to organization and equip staff and board of directors to reach them
- Cultivate relationships with existing and potential donors
- Make direct, face-to-face solicitations
- Oversee all aspects of Annual Campaign including design of direct mail piece, coordination of social media, making personal asks, and stewardship of current donors
- Ensure donor database is clean, organized, and up-to-date
- Manage annual fundraising event, Smart Start on the Silver Screen
- Research grant opportunities, write applications and funding requests, submit reports to funders as required
- Develop, coordinate, and execute marketing plan and tailor messages to Smart Start's audiences
- Give presentations and talks to organizations about Smart Start and the need for quality early childhood education programs in Oklahoma
- Oversee website copy and social media platforms
- Acts as point of contact for inbound media-related calls
- Create annual communications plan and equip staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors to execute plan while staying on message and complying with Smart Start's brand
- Develop content, including story collection, for social media, blog, and newsletter
Chairperson, Board of Directors
Smart Start Central Oklahoma
05.2019 - 08.2020
- Planned and oversaw meetings in accordance with governing documents
- Maintained impartiality and objectivity during meetings and decision-making
- Maintained P&L and shouldered the organization's fiscal responsibility
- Created succession plans to provide continuity of operations during leadership transitions
- Established and maintained strong relationships with staff, donors, and strategic partners
- Collaborated with the Executive Director, legal, accounting, and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with nonprofit regulations
- Oversaw the development and execution of strategic initiatives to provide support to the organization's clients
Annual Luncheon Chair
Oklahoma Project Woman
05.2018 - 11.2018
- Oversaw planning and execution of Celebrate Pink! OKC, Oklahoma Project Woman's largest fundraiser in metro area raising nearly $100,000
- Fostered donor relationships
- Recruited and coordinated volunteers
Chair, Smart Start on the Silver Screen
Smart Start Central Oklahoma
04.2015 - 06.2017
- Helped create, plan and execute Smart Start on the Silver Screen, Smart Start Central Oklahoma's first fundraising event, raising $30,000 its first year
- Chaired volunteer committee that worked with staff to plan event
- Brainstormed and implemented activities to coincide with event
- Recruited and coordinated student volunteers for event
- Assisted with donation solicitations
- Maintained budget and worked to stay within guidelines set by staff and Board of Directors
- Coordinated media appearances and interviews to promote event
President
Junior League Of Oklahoma City
06.2014 - 05.2015
- Served as Chief Executive Officer and official representative
- Directed organization's vision and advanced its mission to improve community
- Oversaw, maintained, and revised Annual Work Agenda, goals and priorities in accordance with strategic plan
- Chaired Community Advisory Board to foster business relationships and investigate new ways organization could impact Oklahoma City
- Chaired human resources committee and oversaw all employee matters
- Handled official correspondence, speaking engagements, and served as spokesperson
Fundraising Vice President
Junior League Of Oklahoma City
06.2011 - 05.2012
- Oversaw all fundraising operations
- Oversaw all financial development activities including donor development, fostering of potential donor relationships, assisting with maintenance of donor database records
- Oversaw Organization's three fundraising events: Mistletoe Market, The Remarkable Shop Thrift Store and Annual Giving Campaign
- Coordinated Board of Director's involvement in charitable solicitations
- Coordinated grant-writing and submissions on behalf of organization
Education
Bachelor of Science - Journalism With Emphasis in Public Relations
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK05.1998
Skills
- Annual Giving Campaigns
- Annual Budget
- Project Management
- Task delegation
- Strategic Planning
- Donor Development
- Public Speaking
- Corporate Communications
- Public and Media Relations
- Written Communication
- Non-profit management
Timeline
Director of Individual Giving
Oklahoma Zoological Society
05.2022 - Current
Director of Development and Communications
Smart Start Central Oklahoma
08.2020 - Current
Chairperson, Board of Directors
Smart Start Central Oklahoma
05.2019 - 08.2020
Annual Luncheon Chair
Oklahoma Project Woman
05.2018 - 11.2018
Chair, Smart Start on the Silver Screen
Smart Start Central Oklahoma
04.2015 - 06.2017
President
Junior League Of Oklahoma City
06.2014 - 05.2015
Fundraising Vice President
Junior League Of Oklahoma City
06.2011 - 05.2012
Bachelor of Science - Journalism With Emphasis in Public Relations
Oklahoma State University
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