Leslie J. Hurst

Highly strategic and motivated Executive Vice President with progressive career history. Offering exceptional leadership and management skills to build trust and communicate effectively across all levels of organization. Adept at partnering with boards of directors and C-suite executives to develop and execute strategic business plans that achieve key objectives.

• Boy Scouts of America - 11 national management and development trainings completed; 2 national awards
• IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy - Fundraising with Confidence, 2019, Senior Development Major Gift Training, Dallas, TX (2018), Proposal Writing and Grant Management, 2016
• President’s Club Foundation and Lushin Sales Training - Multiple series over multiple years

• Member, Advisory Council, Central Indiana Women’s Business Center (CIWBC), Indy Chamber, 1 year (2024 - present)
• Programming & Events Committee Member, CIWBC, Indy Chamber, 1 year (2022-2023)
• Committee Member and Special Events Chair, National R.I.S.E. Committee Member (BSA), 7 years
• Board Member, Friends of the Lawrence Police Foundation, LLC, 5 years
• Troop 4408 Leader, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, 3 years
• Secretary, Board of Directors, TEAMWORK for Quality Living, 4 years

• Staff and Board Development
• Fundraising Campaign Management and Innovation
• Donor Acquisition, Cultivation and Retention
• Hiring and Onboarding
• Major and Transformational Gifts
• Strategic Marketing
• Crisis Communications and Management
• Budget and Fiscal Management
• Event Planning and Management
• Proposal Writing
• Community Outreach
• Public Speaking
• Social Influencer
• Microsoft Office and Blackbaud programs

Executed plans to directly and indirectly generate $3M in direct contribution revenue to support corporate annual budget of $10M in top 10 nationally ranked metro council., Governor’s Luncheon for Scouting, Exceeded $1M goal by $88K in 12/2024 through 1,700 donors at Lucas Oil Stadium., Secured major gifts ranging from $5,000 to $7.5M in 2019., Annual operating fundraising campaign generated $1.5M through Mayor Breakfasts, Board Member and staff giving., Special Events raised $265,000 through 6 events., Foundations/Grants provided $500K annually., Managed $3M popcorn fundraiser through 200+ Scouting units; Launched new discount cards fundraiser, generating $200K gross sales., Collaborated with Board of Directors and community leaders to recruit high profile community leaders as volunteer chairmen and board members., Improved donor acquisition, cultivation, and retention through regular communication with approximately 6,000 donors., Provided staff leadership to Central Indiana fall $3M popcorn fundraiser for 2 years., Launched Camp Cards product sale, increasing retail sales from $138,500 in 2014 to $233,000 in 2017., Achieved a grant win rate of 86%, securing 18 grants in 2016-2018 providing $294,000., Developed corporate partnerships with various organizations., Increased corporate donor contributions significantly., Managed and solicited all 60+ council employees for their annual charitable gift., Managed budgets totaling an undisclosed amount., Developed monthly systems to increase cash collection rates on donor pledges., Increased utilization of software platforms for tracking and analyzing contributions., Led three departments with 7 full-time executives., Developed curriculum for a week-long off-site development conference for 40 professionals., Oversaw team of para-professional executives., Expanded part-time staff from three to fourteen., Developed long-term strategic plan for staff and membership growth.