Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Interests
Timeline
Generic

Michelle Thomas

Director of Development
Nashville,TN

Summary

Experienced with planning and executing large-scale events. Utilizes strategic planning and client relationship management to drive successful campaigns. Track record of fostering team collaboration and achieving impactful results.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Event Marketing Manager

Window Nation
09.2024 - Current
  • Interview, hire, train, and manage a team of managers for events, retail, home show and RSVP department.
  • Manage to key performance metrics – Create weekly and monthly plans which include performance goals, including a set rate of 45%-55%.
  • Pull and analyze data from key performance reports in our customer relationship management tool.
  • Conduct individual and group training sessions along with team leaders utilizing established methodologies.
  • Visit markets regularly – Motivate and coach on specific methodologies and performance criteria.
  • Developed and executed strategic marketing plans for various events to enhance brand visibility.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to coordinate event logistics and ensure seamless execution.
  • Managed relationships with vendors and partners to secure resources and negotiate contracts effectively.
  • Conducted post-event evaluations to assess performance, gather insights, and inform future planning efforts.
  • Optimized post-event analysis processes, identifying actionable insights for continuous improvement of future initiatives.
  • Leveraged data-driven insights to refine marketing efforts and improve overall campaign performance.
  • Established a robust network of vendors and suppliers, ensuring cost-effective solutions without sacrificing quality or service levels.
  • Streamlined event logistics, ensuring smooth execution and positive attendee experiences.

Community Liaison

Right at Home
08.2023 - 09.2024
  • Communicated market share strategies and vision to the team, resulting in a successful outcome.
  • Developed and implemented innovative marketing campaigns, increasing leads substantially.
  • Represented the company in the community, fostering positive brand awareness and engagement.
  • Established and maintained a strong referral pipeline through genuine relationship-building efforts.
  • Successfully met and exceeded annual goals.
  • Developed and maintained partnerships with local organizations to enhance community engagement.
  • Conducted outreach efforts to gather feedback from community members, informing program improvements.
  • Coordinated events and activities that promoted community involvement and awareness of services.
  • Analyzed community needs assessments to guide strategic planning for programs and services offered.
  • Attended industry conferences or workshops to stay informed on emerging trends related to corporate-community collaborations.
  • Recruited new community partners and built lasting relationships, fostering a strong network of support for company initiatives.
  • Created compelling presentations for senior leadership showcasing successes achieved through various community programs and partnerships.
  • Provided ongoing support for other departments'' community-related endeavors by sharing resources, ideas, or best practices discovered during liaison work.
  • Managed budgets for multiple community projects simultaneously while ensuring timely completion of objectives.
  • Maintained detailed records of all community engagements, tracking metrics such as participation rates, event outcomes, and partnership developments over time.
  • Served as the primary point of contact between the company and external stakeholders, ensuring prompt resolution of issues or inquiries.
  • Strengthened partnerships with local organizations through consistent communication and collaborative initiatives.
  • Enhanced community relations by developing and implementing comprehensive outreach programs.
  • Established positive relationships with local media outlets to increase coverage of company-sponsored events or announcements.
  • Improved visibility of company''s corporate social responsibility efforts through regular updates on website content and social media platforms.
  • Organized volunteer activities for employees to participate in, fostering a culture of giving back within the organization.
  • Increased public awareness of company''s community involvement by organizing and promoting events, volunteer opportunities, and sponsorships.
  • Assessed the effectiveness of current community programs by conducting surveys, analyzing data, and presenting findings to management for review.
  • Marketed offerings and services to community.
  • Stayed within budget for marketing expenses.
  • Built, leveraged and shared positive relationships and partnerships with various external and internal stakeholders.

Director of Marketing and Business Development

CarePatrol of Music City
11.2022 - 07.2023
  • The Director of Marketing and Business Development is responsible for increasing revenue and building brand awareness. This also includes establishing partnerships in the community that will develop into sales leads.
  • Call/Visit healthcare facilities, physicians, clinics, and eldercare facilities to generate sales for Assisted Living referrals.
  • Educate professionals, facilities, organizations, and consumers regarding the services offered.
  • Possess in-depth knowledge of the community, health care facilities, and referral sources appropriate for services.
  • Develop partnerships with physicians, discharge planners, case managers, social workers, and other health care professionals whose patients may be appropriate for assisted living services thereby increasing the number of clients served.
  • Develop a Marketing Plan for new and existing markets.
  • Attend area networking and chamber events to meet with like-minded professionals.
  • Document activity progress daily in database.

Lead Development Officer

Nashville Repertory Theatre
08.2021 - 10.2022
  • To secure funds for Nashville Repertory Theatre by recruiting a group of qualified individuals, corporate, government, and foundation donors; assuring as many as possible are retained as continuing donors and upgraded in their giving and involvement; and fostering the growth of fundraising best practices, as measured by donor stewardship and retention, fundraising achievement, and effective communication with donors and the community, about the measurable impact of our work in the community.
  • Design and lead an overall development program to achieve objectives for annual operating support as well as for longer range objectives for building the development program. This program should encompass all appropriate constituencies individuals, corporations, foundations, and government funding sources.
  • Developed and implemented strategic fundraising campaigns, increasing donor engagement and retention rates.
  • Cultivated relationships with donors to enhance fundraising efforts and support organizational goals.
  • Coordinated events to promote community involvement and attract potential sponsors for initiatives.
  • Managed grant writing process, ensuring alignment with organizational mission and compliance requirements.
  • Oversaw donor recognition programs, fostering long-term loyalty and enhancing overall donor experience.
  • Mentored junior staff in best practices for donor relations and fundraising strategies, promoting team development.
  • Collaborated with leadership to align fundraising strategies with overall organizational objectives, driving mission impact.
  • Developed successful fundraising campaigns for various organizational projects, resulting in increased financial support.
  • Analyzed data on donor trends to inform strategic planning of future fundraising initiatives.
  • Evaluated effectiveness of past fundraising initiatives to identify areas of improvement for future endeavors.
  • Personally conduct cultivation, solicitation and stewardship visits or other activities to further major donor and prospective donor relationships. Engage volunteers, especially board members, as appropriate.
  • Identify and research new prospective donors and devise plans for cultivating and soliciting them.
  • Prepare proposals and letters and design other communication materials and tools (web presence, video, fact sheet, etc.) to support the development process.
  • Provide staff support for annual board-driven fundraising events.
  • Oversee and employ a prospect/donor management system to assure appropriate and timely next steps for visits, proposals, and reports.
  • Develop and implement creative cultivation and stewardship activities including events associated with theater activities.
  • Work collaboratively with other staff, board, and volunteers to advance audience development efforts.
  • Provide leadership in board and advisory board development, motivating members to be philanthropic.
  • Represent the Rep in Arts Advocacy activities to promote the vitality and impact of the arts in the city, region, and state.
  • Work in collaboration with the Executive Director and finance committee to help with budget preparation, forecasting and reconciliation of records.
  • Keep current knowledge of and adhere to development laws and other regulations including requirements for recording and acknowledging gifts.
  • Communicate progress with staff and board members.
  • Launch a planned giving program.
  • Perform other functions and tasks as directed by the Executive Director.
  • Maintained accurate records of all financial transactions related to donations, grants, and sponsorships for compliance purposes.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with major donors, leading to enhanced collaboration and sustained contributions.
  • Identified revenue opportunities by collaborating with distribution partners.
  • Utilized social media platforms effectively as a means of engaging existing and potential donors in the organization''s mission, programs, and events.
  • Set up and maintained global account management, processes and reporting tools.
  • Implemented stewardship programs to recognize donors'' contributions while encouraging continued support.
  • Coordinated volunteer recruitment efforts to enhance community engagement while supporting fundraising activities.
  • Spearheaded annual giving campaigns for consistent revenue generation, utilizing effective messaging and communication techniques.
  • Increased donor engagement by implementing targeted marketing strategies and personalized outreach efforts.
  • Managed grant proposal development process, securing funding from multiple sources for key initiatives.
  • Conducted thorough prospect research on individuals, corporations, foundations to identify new sources of potential funding.

Chief Development Officer

Tn. Voices
07.2020 - 08.2021
  • Design, develop and implement a fundraising program with a focus on building a major gifts program to include managing and cultivating relationships with existing major gift prospects, as well as identifying new prospects. Connect with donors and clearly communicate our organization’s mission.
  • Help our donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with our organization.
  • Secure major gifts
  • Manage systems and software to track and cultivate donors and prospects, including our donor database and wealth screening tools.
  • Create and implement moves management plans.
  • Make direct, face-to-face solicitations, and assist the Executive Director, Board Members, and other staff with their solicitation (e.g., provide portfolio development support, strategic counsel, and help with donor communications)
  • Acknowledge research, find and solicit major donors through public and private recognition.
  • Conduct regular analysis and report on revenue goals versus projections in coordination with the Executive Director, Chief Development Officer, and Finance Team; and
  • Collaborate with the team across the organization to write and submit proposals, letters of intent, case statements, and acknowledgement letters.
  • Attend networking and fundraising events to support TN Voices and increase visibility.
  • Serve as the hands-on project manager for the annual fundraising gala and raise the event to $300-500k within 2-3 years, by recruiting corporate sponsorships and overseeing an engaging and smoothly executed event experience.
  • Report to the Board regarding donation trends and goals achieved.
  • Oversaw grant writing processes, ensuring alignment with funding requirements and organizational priorities.
  • Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, fostering collaboration and support for initiatives.
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive development plans aligned with organizational goals.
  • Led strategic fundraising initiatives to enhance organizational sustainability and community impact.
  • Analyzed donor data to identify trends, enhancing donor engagement strategies and retention efforts.
  • Spearheaded marketing campaigns to increase visibility of programs and attract new supporters.

Director of Parent Giving and Donor Relations

The Webb School
02.2019 - 07.2020
  • The Director of Parent Giving and Donor Relations served as the primary staff member within Alumni and Development for fundraising with current parents and families, along with stewardship of named endowed funds. It also involved planning and managing two annual fundraising mini-campaigns: the fall "Five-Week Campaign" and the winter "Belles and Buckles Gala". In addition, it included a portfolio of donors to be solicited and stewarded each year. The position involves all aspects of external relations, including face-to-face fundraising.
  • Identify and solicit parents, businesses, and other assigned portfolio prospects, focusing on $1,000+ level.
  • Make 50 face-to-face visits each year with individuals and businesses.
  • Travel to cities as needed to reach potential donors.
  • Solicit sponsorships from vendors to advertise as part of the Gala.
  • Track fundraising results using current software.
  • Serve as a liaison for donor relations for endowed funds, their families, and their recipients.
  • Conduct solicitations in coordination with input from Admissions and parent associations.
  • Regularly attend events to get to know parents of school.
  • Employ volunteers to conduct peer-to-peer solicitations as needed.

Senior Manager of Development

Alzheimer’s Association
07.2015 - 07.2019
  • As a development staff member of Walk to End Alzheimer’s and Gala relationship event, you join an exclusive team of leaders responsible for the implementation of Walk to End Alzheimer’s, the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Walk to End Alzheimer’s ranks as the second-largest peer-to-peer fundraising event in the United States and continues to set the pace as one of the fastest growing walk events in the country.
  • Utilizing your proven networking and relationship building skills to cultivate key community connections, you will drive success and achieve revenue goals by strategically identifying and engaging community and corporate leaders and building and empowering sustainable volunteer committees.
  • As a successful fundraising leader who will manage multiple peer-to-peer fundraising events annually you will generate excitement and enthusiasm in the community for Walk to End Alzheimer’s, coach and inspire your volunteers to implement and build on proven strategies and best practices that result in event growth year over year.
  • Design and lead an overall development program to achieve objectives for annual operating support as well as for longer range objectives for building the development program. This program should encompass all appropriate constituenciesindividuals, corporations, foundations, and government funding sources.
  • Personally conduct cultivation, solicitation and stewardship visits or other activities to further donor and prospective donor relationships. Engage volunteers, especially board members, as appropriate.
  • Identify and research new prospective donors and devise plans for cultivating and soliciting them.
  • Prepare proposals and letters and design other communication materials and tools (web presence, video, fact sheet, etc.) to support the development process.
  • Provide staff support for annual board-driven fundraising events.
  • Oversee and employ a prospect/donor management system to assure appropriate and timely next steps for visits, proposals, and reports.
  • Work collaboratively with other staff, board, and volunteers to advance audience development efforts.
  • Provide leadership in board and advisory board development, motivating members to be philanthropic.
  • Represent the Rep in arts advocacy activities to promote the vitality and impact of the arts in the city, region, and state.
  • Established partnerships with corporate sponsors, driving collaborative initiatives that increased brand visibility and support.
  • Analyzed data trends to inform strategic decision-making processes and improve outreach efforts.
  • Oversaw implementation of donor management systems, optimizing workflows and improving tracking efficiency.

Manager of Special Events

Alzheimer’s Association
03.2013 - 07.2015
  • Co-Founded the Gatsby Party Gala: An Alzheimer's fundraiser in 2014.
  • Responsible for all aspects of Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Rutherford County and the Gatsby Party Gala event.
  • Responsible for high level volunteer recruitment, training, coaching, and management resulting in the attainment of revenue and team goals.
  • Build relationships with key volunteers, participants, sponsors, and community leaders as well as existing and new corporate partners.
  • Responsible for overall Rutherford County Walk to End Alzheimer’s and Gatsby Party Gala volunteer committee development, team recruitment and retention strategies, budget, timeline, marketing/PR, logistics and best practice implementation.
  • Through volunteer networks, prospect, cultivate and steward Rutherford County Walk to End Alzheimer’s and Gatsby Party Gala teams, sponsors, and walkers to achieve development goals.
  • Execute plans for maximizing team participation to achieve revenue goals by retaining existing teams, attracting new ones from all sectors of the community and by providing fundraising guidance and support.
  • Maintain year-round relationships with key corporate sponsors and constituents to ensure involvement in all relevant chapter activities and recognition opportunities.
  • Work with the volunteer planning committee to organize outreach activities that promote the Alzheimer’s Association mission, including community presentations and corporate engagement opportunities.
  • Developed and executed marketing strategies to promote special events, increasing attendance and donor participation.
  • Led strategic planning for large-scale fundraising events, enhancing community engagement and awareness of Alzheimer's disease.
  • Cultivated relationships with sponsors and partners, securing funding and resources for successful event outcomes.
  • Managed cross-functional teams to coordinate logistics, ensuring seamless event execution from inception to completion.
  • Analyzed post-event data to assess performance, implementing improvements for future initiatives based on feedback.
  • Trained and mentored staff in event planning best practices, fostering professional development within the team.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Mass Communication

Middle Tennessee State University
05.1998

Skills

  • Multi-Unit Field Marketing: Managed and executed field marketing strategies across multiple locations Developed localized campaigns to drive brand awareness and customer engagement Coordinated with regional teams to ensure consistent messaging and strategy alignment
  • Community Partnerships
  • Strategic Planning
  • Event Management
  • Event Planning
  • Community Engagement
  • Volunteer Management
  • Employee Engagement
  • Marketing and Public Relations
  • Project Management
  • Ability to multi-task several events
  • Attention to details!
  • Face paced environment
  • Outside the Box thinking
  • Flexibility
  • Customer Service driven
  • Adaptability
  • Perseverance
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Ability to Motivate Others
  • Good listener
  • Customer engagement
  • CRM management
  • Social media marketing
  • Project management
  • Event promotion
  • Vendor coordination
  • Mobile marketing
  • ROI measurement
  • Multicultural marketing
  • Direct mail campaigns
  • Press releases
  • Sponsorship acquisition
  • Virtual event management
  • Attendee experience
  • Trade show management
  • Event registration
  • Campaign monitoring
  • Experiential marketing
  • Teamwork
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Problem-solving
  • Time management
  • Multitasking Abilities
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Attention to detail
  • Multitasking
  • Reliability
  • Excellent communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Organizational skills
  • Team leadership
  • Creative thinking
  • Active listening
  • Relationship building
  • Decision-making
  • Computer proficiency
  • Microsoft office

Accomplishments

  • Supervised team of 30 staff members.

Affiliations

  • Murfreesboro Housing Authority – Board of Commissioner
  • Foster Parent
  • 2015 Murfreesboro Magazine’s 15 Most Beautiful People
  • Nashville Chamber of Commerce – Member
  • Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce - Diplomat
  • Junior League of Murfreesboro - New Member Advisor
  • Award winning event coordinator

Interests

  • Offering time and support to shelters for the homeless, women, and animals
  • Youth mentor, providing guidance and support to empower the next generation of leaders
  • Getting involved in local advocacy groups to promote positive change in the community
  • Fundraising Events
  • Youth Development Programs
  • Volunteer Work
  • Environmental Stewardship

Timeline

Event Marketing Manager

Window Nation
09.2024 - Current

Community Liaison

Right at Home
08.2023 - 09.2024

Director of Marketing and Business Development

CarePatrol of Music City
11.2022 - 07.2023

Lead Development Officer

Nashville Repertory Theatre
08.2021 - 10.2022

Chief Development Officer

Tn. Voices
07.2020 - 08.2021

Director of Parent Giving and Donor Relations

The Webb School
02.2019 - 07.2020

Senior Manager of Development

Alzheimer’s Association
07.2015 - 07.2019

Manager of Special Events

Alzheimer’s Association
03.2013 - 07.2015

Bachelor of Science - Mass Communication

Middle Tennessee State University

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Michelle ThomasDirector of Development