Regional Leadership Archives - Page 2 of 8

Elizabeth is a thought leader in philanthropy and expert in nonprofit fundraising. Since joining CCS in 2013, she has partnered with institutions to plan and implement multi-million-to-billion-dollar campaigns. Elizabeth provides counsel on strategic planning, major gifts fundraising, and board engagements; leads campaign planning (feasibility) studies and has conducted nearly 400 stakeholder interviews with U.S. philanthropists; and has served in interim development roles where she managed client teams, annual campaigns, and special fundraising events.

Since 2019, Elizabeth has taught the course, “Fundraising & Philanthropy: The Donor Journey” at the University of Pennsylvania to graduate students in the Nonprofit Leadership Program. She serves on the School of Social Policy and Practice (SP2) Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board, and in 2020, she was inducted into the SP2 Alumni Hall of Fame for her work with mission-driven organizations.

Elizabeth has been recognized by Crain’s New York Business as a “Notable Leader in Philanthropy” (2025) and a “Notable Leader in Accounting, Consulting & Law” (2024); the New York Jewish Week in their annual “36 to Watch” as a “thought leader in Jewish philanthropy;” (2024); and BELLA Magazine as a “Woman of Influence in Philanthropy” (2022).

Elizabeth brings an unparalleled passion, innovative mindset, and commitment to mentorship to every element of her career. She is a board member at the Association of Fundraising Professionals NYC Chapter, where she has served on the Mentorship Committee, and is a member of Women in Development New York. Most recently, Elizabeth joined the Tufts University College (UC) Board of Advisors. In this role, she supports the UC’s commitment to expanding access to Tufts for diverse learners across generations through innovative educational opportunities, career acceleration, and community connections.

Elizabeth has been a guest on several nonprofit leadership podcasts and has been invited to speak at national industry conferences including Association of Fundraising Professionals, CASE-NAIS Independent Schools, Chicago Council of Planned Giving, Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools, and Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy, among others.

Elizabeth’s belief in social impact influenced her fundraising career: In rural Rwanda, she volunteered at a youth village for vulnerable students, founded in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. In Jaipur, India, she lived and studied the generational empowerment of Indian women seeking to build lives of dignity and prosperity for themselves and their families. These global experiences, grounded in the values of inclusion and access, motivated Elizabeth to improve the world through philanthropy.

She holds a Masters in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University. She lives in New York with her husband and their two daughters and is an avid hiker and tea drinker.

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American Friends of Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel
American Jewish Committee
ADL (Anti-Defamation League)
Asphalt Green
Baptist Health South Florida
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
The Chapin School
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Columbia University School of Nursing
E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation
Friends Academy
The Hewitt School
Jewish Women International
Keshet
Larchmont Temple
Low Income Investment Fund
The Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust

Museum of West African Art
New York Youth Symphony
The Newark Public Library
NYU (Stern School of Business, Stern Center for Business & Human Rights)
Park Avenue Synagogue
The Parkinson’s Foundation
The Police Athletic League
Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools
The Ramaz School
The School of American Ballet
The Spence School
The Speyer Legacy School
Sutton Place Synagogue
Two Ten Footwear Foundation
Versiti Blood Research Institute
Williamstown Theatre Festival
The YIVO Institute of Jewish Research
YWCA Greenwich

resources

Giving USA 2023 Report: Breaking Down the Philanthropy Trends, We Are For Good (Podcast)
Amplifying Philanthropy for 2023: Five Strategies to Inspire Giving in a New Year, NonProfitPRO (Article)
Are You Ready for a Capital Campaign? 5 Questions to Consider as You Plan for the Future, NonProfitPRO (Article)
You Made “The Ask” – Now What? Nonprofit Nation (Podcast)
Fundraising Fundamentals in A New Fiscal Year The Development Debrief (Podcast)
What’s Your People’s Strategic Plan? Why Nonprofit Leaders Should Invest in Talent and Culture, NonProfitPRO (Article)

Rachel has partnered with institutions in the advocacy and education sectors to plan and implement transformational fundraising campaigns with revenue goals ranging from $10 million to $1 billion. She has also directed principal and major gifts fundraising, led strategic planning efforts, and improved fundraising systems and procedures for several clients.

Among her client engagements at CCS, Rachel has completed a three-year fundraising growth plan for the Campaign Legal Center and subsequently provided major gift strategy and infrastructure support that resulted in the largest donation in the organization’s history. She also provided counsel to the NAACP on its historic $600 million comprehensive campaign and on major gifts strategy for its civic engagement program. Rachel stewarded the planning process and strategy for the first major gifts campaign for the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, where she helped secure the organization’s largest ever individual and corporate contributions.

Rachel is a skilled nonprofit management strategist with diverse experiences across the philanthropic sector. Prior to joining CCS, she worked as a grant maker at the Open Society Foundations. Most recently, she coordinated funding in the areas of government accountability, money in politics, judicial nominations, and civic engagement.

Rachel holds an MPA in nonprofit management from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and a BA in Black Studies and Women’s & Gender Studies from Amherst College. She was a NYC Fellow at the New Leaders Council, a national organization that works to recruit, train, and promote young progressive leaders, and now serves on its Advisory Board. She is also a 2016 alumna of NYU Wagner’s Fellowship for Emerging Leaders in Public Service, and she serves on the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Young Professionals Council and Planned Parenthood of Greater New York’s Activist Council.

Polly is an Executive Vice President at CCS Fundraising. In this capacity, she has successfully partnered with nonprofit clients in a variety of sectors across Colorado. Polly believes in the transformative power of philanthropy and has worked with organizations to help them reach the most ambitious fundraising goals in the history of their organizations. Polly has effectively conducted feasibility and planning studies, developed major gifts programs, led teams through change, built systems, and led her clients in the planning and execution of major capital and comprehensive campaigns.

Polly is from Denver and is active in the Colorado community. She is on the Board of Trustees at Denver Academy and sits on the governance committee. Additionally, she recently completed two terms on the Board of Directors for KIPP Colorado Schools and was the co-chair of their development committee. Polly is an alumnus of the Institute for Leaders in Development through the University of Denver. Previously, she was the Managing Director of Development and Managing Director of Individual Giving at Teach For America Colorado where she led the team in raising over $35 million. She also taught 3rd grade in Los Angeles (LA) and served as an instructional coach in LA and Denver. Polly has a B.A. in Spanish Literature from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a certification in elementary urban education from the University of California Los Angeles.

Polly lives in Denver with her spouse and two young daughters.

Pronouns: she/her

As Executive Vice President at CCS Fundraising, Maeve Riley oversees operations in Texas and the Southern market. Based in Dallas, Maeve leverages her expertise of the regional philanthropic landscape to foster strategic partnerships with organizations spanning across sectors. Maeve specializes in prospective funder landscaping, principal and major gift strategies, sustainable growth plans, and staff and leadership training and development.

With over a decade of experience in nonprofit management and fundraising strategy, Maeve has guided organizations on development initiatives ranging from $4 million to $1B. Of note, Maeve led CCS’s partnership with Peterson Health Foundation, implementing key initiatives identified in the Foundation’s strategic plan, by creating an endowment, establishing a grateful patient program, developing their annual fund, and enhancing planned giving content.

In addition to her client service, Maeve is passionate about internal and external talent and professional development, with a focus on engaging diverse populations and broadening the scope of inclusive philanthropic practices.

Maeve also serves as a board member of the Misalignment Museum. Prior to her work at CCS, she served as the Director of Alumni Relations at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and led an educational program for a federally funded youth development agency.

Maeve holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from DePaul University School of Public Service and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Santa Clara University. She resides in Dallas and enjoys traveling around the country in her free time, frequenting her hometown in Northern California, and visiting family in Oregon and North Carolina.

Nicole Stratton brings over a decade of experience helping nonprofits achieve transformative results. As Senior Vice President at CCS Fundraising, Nicole leads the firm’s Northwest practice, bringing focus to partnerships with organizations across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Western Canada. She works with nonprofits in arts & culture, education, healthcare, religion, and social and human services to design and implement strategies that build capacity, engage donors, and drive meaningful impact. Her leadership has contributed to campaigns with cumulative goals exceeding $1 billion, with a focus on securing six- to nine-figure gifts.

She is known for her collaborative approach and ability to translate complex challenges into clear, actionable plans that inspire confidence and results. She draws on a deep expertise spanning CCS’s service areas, including campaign planning, major gift programs, volunteer engagement, and data-driven strategy development, ensuring clients are equipped to achieve ambitious goals while building long-term sustainability.

Raised by two educators who demonstrated the power of giving back, Nicole developed a lifelong passion for working with organizations that transform lives and communities. She holds a Master of Public Administration from NYU Wagner School of Public Service and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Nicole enjoys exploring the Northwest, hosting gatherings, and fostering connections in her community. She also loves traveling the world with her husband, drawing inspiration from new experiences.

Julia M. Siebel, Ph.D. (“Julie”) has dedicated her career to helping institutions achieve their potential through effective organizational management and excellence in volunteer engagement, and by focusing on philanthropy, culture change, and project management. She brings to her clients 30 years of experience in thought leadership, strategic planning and analysis, fundraising campaigns, constituent engagement, operations management, institutional advancement, data mining, and communications. Throughout her career, she has consistently launched, or enhanced, programs designed to build engagement, receive substantial philanthropic support, and achieve excellence.

Since joining CCS in 2014, Julie has partnered with nonprofit institutions across the breadth of the sector. In addition to providing interim management services, strategic planning coaching, and capacity building guidance, she has led her clients through the development and implementation of large-scale campaigns that have raised between $6 million and $120 million. Internally, Julie supports her fellow team members as a mentor and trainer and served as the founding facilitator for the Southern California team’s DEIB Work Group. She was a founding member of the Aspiring Allies Employee Resource Group and sits on the Higher Ed and Social and Human Services Cabinets.

Julie holds her PhD in History and Gender Studies from the University of Southern California with a research focus on the powerful impact of women’s voluntary activism across the nonprofit sector. She earned her BA in American Studies from Pomona College. She is an active civic leader who serves with local, national and international organizations including the Association of Junior Leagues, International; The National Women’s Hall of Fame; the Pomona College Alumni Association; the Balboa Island Museum and Historical Association; and Ronald McDonald Houses in the southern California region. You can find Julie sharing her unique perspective and expertise at industry conferences, on webinars, and on social media platforms including LinkedIn.

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Education

Health & Human Services

Age of Learning, Glendale, CA
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
California State Universities, Bakersfield, Humboldt, San Francisco & Stanislaus
Chandler School, Pasadena, CA
Crean Lutheran High School, Irvine, CA
Curtis School, Los Angeles, CA
Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Falls, OR
Samueli Academy, Santa Ana, CA
San Diego Community College District, San Diego, CA
Santiago Canyon College, Orange, CA

Easterseals Southern California, Irvine, CA
Glaucoma Research Foundation, San Francisco, CA
Global Genes, Aliso Viejo, CA
Habitat for Humanity, Seattle, WA
J.F. Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding, San Juan Capistrano, CA
My Friend’s Place, Hollywood, CA
Memorial Care Saddleback Medical Center Foundation, Laguna Hills, CA
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center, Torrance, CA
Radiant Health Centers, Irvine, CA
Ronald McDonald Houses in Orange County, Long Beach, and West LA, CA
The Salvation Army Orange County, CA and California United Task Force, CA

Arts & Culture

Other Sectors

A Noise Within, Pasadena, CA
Holocaust Museum LA, Los Angeles, CA
The Old Globe Theater, San Diego, CA
Pacific Chorale, Costa Mesa, CA
Tournament of Roses Association, Pasadena, CA
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Beverly Hills, CA

Junior League of Los Angeles, CA
Napa Valley Grape Growers Foundation, Napa, CA
San Diego Community Foundation, CA
St. Michael’s Abbey, Silverado, CA
Temple Isaiah, Los Angeles, CA
World Forestry Center, Portland, OR

recent resources

Sarah has spent her career helping nonprofits maximize their impact and realize their full potential. With more than 20 years of experience across nonprofit sectors, she has partnered with organizations to conduct development assessments, campaign planning studies, campaign management, case development, team coaching, board training, volunteer management, and donor trend analysis.

Since joining CCS in 2015, Sarah has led dozens of clients through the design and implementation of large-scale campaigns. Her work focuses on achieving sustainable growth in major gifts and using data to determine areas for strategic focus and investment. She is passionate about helping organizations achieve their goals by implementing comprehensive plans in partnership with internal executive leadership, volunteer leaders, and staff.

Sarah holds a Master’s in International Environmental Policy from the University of California – San Diego and an undergraduate degree in Peace Studies from Colgate University. She has volunteered for Amnesty International in London, the Appalachian Mountain Club, and San Diego Coastkeeper.

Sarah grew up in Maine and currently resides in Portland with her husband, two sons, rescue dog, and cat. Outside of her work, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and exploring the woods and waters of Maine.

select client parnters

Berwick Academy
Cheverus High School
Combined Jewish Philanthropies
First Parish in Portland
Maine Audubon
Maine College of Art & Design
Maine Historical Society
Maine Huts & Trails
North Yarmouth Academy
Preble Street
The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire
The Winsor School
Thomas College
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
Waynflete School
Yad Chessed

Since joining CCS in 2017, Sarah has partnered with nonprofits to secure the philanthropic support necessary to fulfilling their missions. Sarah has advised small startups and landmark organizations alike, with goals ranging from $5 million to $125 million. Her areas of expertise include campaign planning and management; principal, leadership, and major gifts; case development; annual giving programs; and development assessments. Sarah has served and counseled organizations that span sectors including arts and culture, social service, independent and boarding schools, and higher education. Sarah is a leader of CCS’s independent schools practice group and presents regularly at regional and national conferences including CAIS, NYSAIS, TABS, and NAIS.

Prior to joining CCS, Sarah was an elementary school educator at schools in and around New York. During her years in the classroom, Sarah experienced the incredible impact philanthropy can have on educational institutions and the many doors charitable giving can open for young learners.

Sarah received her BA from Bowdoin College and her MEd from Manhattanville College. A native of San Diego, CA, Sarah resides in Manhattan where she spends her free time visiting museums, reading, volunteering, and exploring the city’s parks with her dog, Sadie.

Raised and educated in Mainland China, Japan, and the United States, Ruyi began her career as a development professional at The Juilliard School, working closely with leadership to identify prospective domestic and international donors, including those for the creation of the Tianjin Juilliard School in China.

In 2013, Ruyi joined CCS Fundraising as part of the on-site fundraising counsel team for the Stephen A. Schwarzman Education Foundation, supporting the Schwarzman Scholars Program at Tsinghua University in Beijing. During this engagement, the CCS team secured $375 million from 75 donors across five continents. Most recently, Ruyi partnered with The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) on giving challenge planning efforts. She has also led several development assessments and campaigns for various nonprofit sectors—including arts and culture, secondary and higher education, environment, religious, and youth and social services—based in California, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York.

An experienced public speaker, Ruyi has presented at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, the CASE Asia-Pacific conference in Singapore, and roundtables in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, as well as on various webinars focused on philanthropy.

She has served as the co-chair of the Asia-Pacific Steering Committee, CCS’s in-house group of experts on APAC, since 2019. She also serves on the Innovation Committee, a subcommittee of the CCS Board of Directors, and is a co-founder of CCS Elevate, the firm’s thought leadership initiative designed to apply CCS best practices to address the next big questions in philanthropy. Additionally, Ruyi is a member of the Council of Advisors for the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

Ruyi’s work in Asia-Pacific builds on her academic and research background as a Fulbright scholar, where she focused on social enterprise management and leadership while living in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

Ruyi holds a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is committed to serving as an advisor to nonprofit organizations focused on the Asian Pacific Islander community in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Pronouns: she/her

Becky Kiely is a Senior Vice President with the Central United States team at CCS Fundraising. Since joining the firm in 2018, she has worked across sectors to direct campaigns and studies from $6M to $1B, and to collaborate with leaders to grow their teams’ capacity. Becky brings a care for relationship management, focused attention to detail, and strong communication skills to every client partnership. She helps client partners stay nimble to opportunity and focused on team development, with a goal of ensuring organizations grow and learn alongside their fundraising success. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, Becky has expertise in campaign planning and management, case development, growth planning and major gifts strategy, and board engagement.

Within CCS, Becky is passionate about building an inclusive team and developing diverse talent. She supports recruitment and leadership development both within the Central US team and across the firm.

Prior to joining CCS, Becky worked as a frontline fundraiser in both secondary and higher education. Becky worked at Loyola University Chicago in corporate and foundation fundraising, and at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Pilsen in scholarship fundraising, board management, and development operations. Becky earned her MBA in the Baumhart Scholars Program at Loyola University Chicago – a selective program within the Quinlan School of Business that prepares leaders from the private, government, and social sectors to thrive at the intersection of profit and purpose. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University.

select client partners

Arkansas Children’s (AR)
Christ Church Grosse Pointe (MI)
Diocese of Dallas / Mother Teresa Catholic School (TX)
Easterseals serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford (IL)
Edgewood College (WI)
Fenwick High School (IL)
Froedtert Hospital & Medical College of Wisconsin (WI)
Greater Cleveland Food Bank (OH)
Grinnell College (IA)
Harris Theater (IL)
John Carroll University (OH)
Mercy Health Foundation (MO)
Nine PBS (MO)
Northwestern Memorial Foundation (Northwestern Medicine) (IL)
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital (MO)
Second Harvest Heartland (MN)
Spring Hill College (AL)
St. Peter St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church (OH)
University of Chicago Urban Labs (IL)
University School of Milwaukee (WI)
University of Texas at Arlington (TX)
Versiti Blood Research Institute (WI)

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Education

Health & Human Services

Arts & Culture

Other Sectors

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