Tracey McCusker
Community Engagement Director
Chicago,IL
Summary
Goal-oriented, results-driven leader with a unique combination of program management and customer service skills. Skilled in relationship management, fundraising, and community engagement. Strong background in strategic planning, team development and improving processes. Collaborative team player, and dedicated to building and leading talented and motivated individuals.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Board President
Chicago Tool Library
04.2023 - Current
- Provide strong leadership to engage board members in the mission of the organization.
- Enhance board performance by implementing strategic planning and goal-setting processes.
- Oversee recruitment, selection, and orientation of new board members to maintain a high-performing team.
- Improve board effectiveness by implementing policies, procedures and best practices.
Director, Community Engagement
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
08.2022 - Current
- Drive fundraising by cultivating lasting donor relationships and raising over $2.5MM annually through third-party fundraising program.
- Plan budgets effectively to forecast optimal use of resources while consistently operating within budget annually.
- Serve on leadership team to guide fundraising and operational strategy of Community Engagement and Foundation teams.
- Serve as Foundation liaison to Family Services and Pulmonary Medicine departments to partner on identifying fundraising priorities, managing philanthropic gifts and stewarding donors to these areas.
- Launched and spearhead multiple committees including Onboarding, Culture and Equity Diversity and Inclusion to improve staff training, increase staff engagement and embrace EDI initiatives.
- Manage Family & Friends program strengthening engagement with grateful families and increasing future donor prospects.
- Develop a high-performing team by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
Board Member
Chicago Tool Library
04.2022 - Current
- Served as strong advocate for Chicago Tool Library influencing positive community impact.
- Participated in strategic planning efforts to align with organization vision and long-term objectives.
Associate Director, Community Engagement
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
02.2017 - 08.2022
- Raised over $2MM annually through successful management of over 250 key donor and community relationships.
- Cultivated culture of innovation through the management of a team to engage donors and community groups in third-party fundraising.
- Planned and executed 2017 Move for Kids 5K Walk/Run raising over $350K and engaging over 1,000 participants.
- Collaborated with marketing team to develop and execute comprehensive marketing campaigns that boosted awareness of third-party fundraising program.
- Spearheaded development of a people manager working group to assist senior leadership in managing all aspects of Foundation operations including onboarding.
- Actively participated in conferences and increasing organization visibility and creating valuable connections with fundraising peers.
Senior Director, Corporate Volunteer Programs
Chicago Cares
06.2015 - 02.2017
- Drove strategic initiatives and improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies as a member of the senior leadership team.
- Managed 65 corporate accounts successfully creating long lasting relationships resulting in $1.8MM in annual fundraising.
- Led the development of 90 corporate volunteer projects annually at nonprofits including pre-planning, on-site execution, and evaluation.
- Managed Chicago’s largest day of service, Serve-a-Thon, engaging 5,000 corporate and individual volunteers at 30 nonprofits
- Led cross-functional teams to successfully meet fundraising, marketing and project planning goals.
- Created a positive work environment for 9 full-time and 11 part-time staff including selection, training, professional development and performance management.
- Led the creation of project criteria including research analysis, modeling, program resolution, and implementation
Senior Manager, Corporate Volunteer Programs
Chicago Cares
12.2011 - 05.2015
- Managed project plans and ensure consistent communication with corporations regarding project timelines, and deliverables.
- Designed onboarding training modules for new departmental staff and corporate volunteer leaders.
- Coached and mentored 7 full-time staff and part-time staff in best practices for project management and engaging volunteers.
- Created and delivered corporate volunteer leader training, communication, and feedback for the life cycle of volunteer events.
Coordinator, Corporate Volunteer Programs
Chicago Cares
10.2010 - 11.2011
- Managed 60 volunteer events engaging over10,000 volunteers driving $1.2 million in revenue annually.
- Created and delivered 30 corporate leader trainings about leadership, volunteer management, and project execution
- Led a team of 6 colleagues to streamline and improve program processes resulting in increased program offerings and volunteer satisfaction at events.
Volunteer Coordinator, Community Food Center
Philabundance Food Bank
08.2009 - 08.2009
- Created a new volunteer program including all policies, procedures, and strategies around volunteer recruitment, onboarding, training, cultivation, tracking, and retention
- Recruited 700 volunteers in the first year of the center resulting in 2,500+ donated hours of volunteer service.
Education
MBA - Business Adminstration
National Louis University
Chicago 05.2001 -
Project Management Professional Certification
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL2015
Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP)
Louisiana State University At Shreveport
Shreveport, LA2009
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL 05.2001 -
Skills
Professional Presentation Experience
Rules of Engagement That Promote DIY Growth — and Your Sanity!
Presentation to over 600 non-profit professionals at the Peer to Peer Professional Forum 2020
- Setting guidelines for assessing and servicing donor prospects to prioritize where limited resources should be focused.
- Shared successful tiered system of working with third-party fundraisers.
Timeline
Board President
Chicago Tool Library
04.2023 - Current
Director, Community Engagement
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
08.2022 - Current
Board Member
Chicago Tool Library
04.2022 - Current
Associate Director, Community Engagement
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
02.2017 - 08.2022
Senior Director, Corporate Volunteer Programs
Chicago Cares
06.2015 - 02.2017
Senior Manager, Corporate Volunteer Programs
Chicago Cares
12.2011 - 05.2015
Coordinator, Corporate Volunteer Programs
Chicago Cares
10.2010 - 11.2011
Volunteer Coordinator, Community Food Center
Philabundance Food Bank
08.2009 - 08.2009
MBA - Business Adminstration
National Louis University
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
05.2001 -
Project Management Professional Certification
Northwestern University
Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP)
Louisiana State University At Shreveport
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