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Type: Regional Leadership

Alissa has spent her career advancing the missions of nonprofit organizations. Her first-hand experience witnessing the community impact of nonprofit work drives her passion for philanthropy.

Alissa has over a decade of experience working with organizations in the arts and culture, higher education, advocacy, and primary and secondary education sectors. As a Vice President, Alissa partners with mission-driven organizations and provides interim management and strategic guidance on transformational fundraising campaigns, infrastructure assessments, volunteer leadership development, and systems management.

Within CCS, Alissa is proud to be part of her team’s mentorship program, helping newer directors at CCS succeed. She also serves on a committee to expand CCS’s DEI initiatives and a thought leadership task force working to provide firmwide educational resources and professional development opportunities around the topic of fiscal management.

Alissa received her BA from Cornell University. After seven years in Vermont, Alissa returned to her home state of New York and currently resides in Manhattan with her husband. She enjoys taking longs walks in Riverside Park, experiencing all the cultural gems New York City has to offer, and attending the occasional tennis match and basketball game.

 

Adam Miller provides leadership and strategic guidance to the nonprofit sector, designing innovative fundraising initiatives, directing extraordinary campaigns, and advising on resource development models.

Partnering with organizations ranging from $1m to $100m+ in annual philanthropic revenue, Adam helps design tailored revenue growth strategies, optimize resource allocation, and implement programmatic initiatives.

Adam has provided guidance on various development functions and strategies both nationally and internationally and across all nonprofit sectors. He is an expert in board engagement, growth and sustainability planning, campaign methodology, principal and major gift strategies, organizational design, corporate partnerships, change management, complex gifts and planned giving, interim development management, data analytics and modeling, development assessments, feasibility and planning studies, and post campaign strategies, among others.

Adam serves as a CCS Learning Facilitator, has presented at national and international conferences, and has been published in journals and business publications. In 2020, the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) recognized Adam as a 40 Under 40 Leader. Outside of his work, Adam personally serves on several nonprofit boards and committees.

Prior to CCS, Adam practiced as an attorney counseling individual and business clients on employment and commercial matters, and helped secure two record-breaking jury verdicts. Adam earned a JD from Loyola University Chicago and a BA from Indiana University. Adam resides in Columbus, OH with his wife and two children.

Since joining the firm in 2012, Meghan has led development assessments, managed key campaigns, and executed campaign planning studies for institutions in the healthcare, higher education, civic, social service, and faith-based sectors. She loves partnering with her clients to find new and innovative ways to meet their extraordinary goals. Meghan grounds each of her engagements with quantitative and qualitative analysis to inform the best path forward and is committed to thinking deeply about each client’s needs and developing tailored solutions.

Meghan holds a Bachelor of Arts from the College of William and Mary and a Master of Arts from Cornell University. She grew up in Kansas City and now lives in Chicago with her family.

Select Client Partners

  • Archdiocese of Chicago
  • Feeding America
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  • University of Texas at Austin

Melissa Rothberg is an Executive Vice President at CCS. Based out of the firm’s New York office, Melissa works with a broad range of clients across multiple sectors and functions on strategy, operations, and management.

Since joining CCS in 2013, Melissa has partnered with public and private institutions in the fields of education, national and international advocacy, global leadership development, arts and culture, environmental policy, human services, and healthcare. She frequently works with clients not only to develop the resources necessary for building and executing ambitious fundraising goals, but also on the infrastructure essential for sustaining them over the long term. Experienced at both high-level campaign strategy and day-to-day organizational operations, Melissa has supported clients with financial targets ranging from $25 million to more than $1 billion.

Melissa received her BA from Kenyon College and her MA from The University of Chicago. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Diabetes Link, the Development Committee of the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, and the Steering Committee of Kenyon Women Giving Back.

select client partners

  • Human Rights Watch
  • Natural Resources Defense Council
  • City University of New York/City College
  • Signature Theatre
  • Committee to Protect Journalists
  • The New York Women’s Foundation
  • The Dodd Center for Human Rights, at the University of Connecticut
  • The New York Botanical Garden
  • Central Synagogue
  • Resolve to Save Lives/Vital Strategies

Kate Villa has been helping to design, plan, and implement successful fundraising campaigns since she worked for Columbia University’s development office while in college. She truly enjoys creating and executing fundraising initiatives that connect donors’ passions with projects that change the world. Kate’s 25 years of experience, first as a chief development officer and now with CCS, have included: comprehensive campaign design and management, planning studies, assessments, and leading teams of staff and volunteer leadership to develop unique strategies and solutions to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.

Kate graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and Columbia College. She is the Immediate Past President of AFP Massachusetts, a former Vice-Chair of the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center, and the past President of AFP of Northern New England. When not working or volunteering for good causes, she can often be found trying new recipes or restaurants, skiing in her native state of Vermont, training for a long bike ride, or with friends and family.

Select Client Partners

  • American School for the Deaf
  • Bangor Public Library
  • Boston Latin School
  • Bridge Over Troubled Waters
  • Buckingham, Browne & Nichols School
  • Combined Jewish Philanthropies
  • Champlain College
  • Green Mountain Valley School
  • Kimball Union Academy
  • Maine Audubon
  • The New Commonwealth Fund
  • New Hampton School
  • Newton Wellesley Hospital
  • The Rashi School
  • USS Constitution Museum
  • Walnut Hill School for the Arts
  • The Winsor School

Sarah Sochacki has been with CCS for more than a decade and in the fundraising space for 15 years. Sarah continues to be drawn to philanthropy, believing that this field has the power to address some of the most complex challenges and questions in the world today. She feels privileged that her profession enables her to help find these solutions and give back in such a meaningful way.

As Managing Director, Sarah leads a variety of partnerships across the Central U.S. In her time at CCS, she has executed campaign planning studies, facilitated multi-million-dollar campaigns, directed development assessments and trainings, and coached development staff and volunteers through securing transformational gifts. With an expertise in case development and transformational gifts, Sarah is committed to crafting stories that marry resource development with each organization’s mission, financial needs, near-term goals, and long-term strategic vision. Her areas of focus include K-12 Education and faith-based efforts.

Sarah firmly believes that if development professionals only raise money, they are not successful. Successful advancement efforts foster meaningful relationships, strengthen an organization’s ability to drive positive impact, and create new visions for what is possible through partnership. Sarah leads with this mindset through all philanthropic efforts, ensuring a well-rounded approach is used to assist organizations.

As part of her continued commitment to philanthropy, Sarah regularly presents at various industry events, including with the International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) and as a guest lecturer at the University of Mary. Sarah is also a frequent speaker at CCS’s firmwide, sector-, and region-specific webinars.

Sarah lives in Chicago with her husband Ben, her daughter Olivia, and their rescue pup, Fred. They enjoy bickering about college sports and being outside as much as Chicago weather allows. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Science in Fundraising Management from Columbia University.

select client partners

  • St. Paul Academy and Summit School
  • University School of Milwaukee
  • Malvern Preparatory
  • Lourdes Academy
  • Notre Dame Academy
  • Aim Higher Foundation
  • National Merit Scholarship Corporation
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of America
  • Boys & Girls Club of Dundee Township
  • Erikson Institute
  • Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
  • Diocese of Green Bay
  • Diocese of Madison
  • Archdiocese of Saint Paul-Minneapolis

Allyson brings almost twenty years of experience in fundraising, nonprofit management, and board development to client partners, collaborating in a variety of ways to support growth and success.  With ten years at CCS, Allyson’s work includes interim management, campaign execution, planning studies, development assessments, and capacity building for diverse organizations across social sectors.  Her key achievements include heightening campaign performance, securing transformational seven and eight- figure commitments, and implementing successful fundraising initiatives from concept to public phase.

Allyson has worked directly with teams of thought leaders whose goals are to advance outreach, education, and leadership around mission-critical initiatives. In each project, Allyson aligns the fundraising endeavor with a spirit of collaboration and team-building, which serves as the underpinning for incredible success.

Over her time at CCS, Allyson has served as Co-Chair of the People of Color/Multicultural Employee Resource Group (ERG) and is an active member of the firm’s DEI Working Group.  She is also on the DEI Subcommittee of CCS’ Board of Directors.

Allyson is a former board member of both the Clemson University Black Alumni Council and the Community Investment Network.  A graduate of the Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Program, she also served on the Chamber’s Board of Regents. Allyson volunteers with the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development (US Virgin Islands) around hurricane recovery, community organizing, and building collective leadership for nonprofit organizations.  Allyson resides in Atlanta, GA and is a founding member of the Black Alumni Collective and a German Marshall Fellow.  A graduate of Clemson University, Allyson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish language and International Trade. She also completed the Master dei Talenti program at Fondazione CRT (Torino, Italy), and she holds a master’s from Boston University in arts and nonprofit administration.

select client partners

  • Boys and Girls Clubs of America
  • Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
  • Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford
  • Medical College of Georgia
  • Medical College of Wisconsin
  • My Brother’s Keeper Alliance
  • Tuskegee University
  • University of Florida
  • Winston Salem State University
  • Xavier University of Louisiana 

Since joining CCS in 2011, Carl has been privileged to have provided counsel to numerous clients in the faith-based, health, education, and social service sectors. His areas of expertise include project management, capital campaigns, feasibility and planning studies, organizational development, data analysis, volunteer management, major gifts, and annual fundraising.

Carl is a strong believer in the power of philanthropy and the opportunities it can provide. “I am blessed to have been the beneficiary of the generosity of others through scholarships. I have experienced firsthand the impact philanthropy can provide.”

Growing out of these experiences, Carl appreciates the importance of being socially just and giving back to those less fortunate. Therefore, he chose to pursue a career in helping nonprofits provide opportunities to those who need it most.

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Carl resides in Rockville Centre, on Long Island, with his wife, Caroline, and daughter, Mairéad. He is a proud graduate of Belvedere College S.J. in Dublin and The University of Scranton in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Select client Partners

  • NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
  • The University of Scranton
  • Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn
  • Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
  • Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens
  • Catholic Charites of Long Island
  • The Guide Dog Foundation/ America’s VetDogs
  • Ability Beyond
  • Rochester General Hospital
  • The Stony Brook School
  • Adam J. Lewis Academy

Chris Polito brings 16 years’ experience in designing, implementing, and managing key philanthropic initiatives for nonprofit organizations in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions and Canada.

Since joining CCS in 2006, Chris has partnered on more than 50 strategic resource development initiatives and capital campaigns that have raised collectively over $500 million. Chris is an expert in feasibility and planning studies and development assessments and annual appeals. He has implemented leadership and major gifts fundraising for numerous clients in faith-based, healthcare, human and social services, and primary and secondary education sectors.

From July 2013 to January 2016, Chris, his wife and daughter, moved to Toronto where he served as Executive Director of the Archdiocese of Toronto’s $105 million Family of Faith Campaign, which ultimately raised more than $170 million CAD, becoming the most successful faith-based fundraising initiative in Canadian history.

Chris served as the President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Southern New Jersey Chapter from 2019-2021 and was recognized as a top 40 Under 40 Leader by the Philadelphia Business Journal in 2020. He has been invited to speak at national and international industry conferences hosted by Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools (ADVIS), AFP Eastern Pennsylvania, Greater Philadelphia, Greater Toronto and Southern New Jersey Chapters, New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS), and the Planned Giving Council of Greater Philadelphia.

Currently residing in Mount Laurel, NJ with his wife and daughter, Chris grew up in Colts Neck, New Jersey, went to Red Bank Catholic High School, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C.

select client partners

  • Archdiocese of Toronto, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Archdiocese of Newark
  • Elwyn (Media, PA)
  • Kean University (Union, NJ)
  • Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley
  • Roman Catholic High School (Philadelphia, PA)
  • Saints Peter and Paul Parish and School (Easton, MD)
  • The Gunston School (Centreville, MD)
  • The Shipley School (Bryn Mawr, PA)
  • United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (Philadelphia, PA)
  • West Catholic Preparatory High School (Philadelphia, PA)
  • World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA)

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With more than twenty years of experience in the U.S. and Europe, Lara has worked with a range of clients – from those raising billions to those building a culture of philanthropy – across every nonprofit sector. “I always wanted to work in the nonprofit sector but couldn’t find ‘my’ one cause. For me, finding CCS was the answer,” Lara says.

Shortly after joining CCS in 2008, Lara moved to the European team, where she spent several years serving clients in Paris, Dublin, and Geneva. Notably, Lara spearheaded the historic €10 million campaign to transform the American School of Paris’ campus. In 2015, Lara returned to the New York City area and serves clients with local, national, and international reach. From helping RIOULT Dance New York build a permanent home, to building endowments for day schools through UJA-Federation’s Jewish Day School Challenge Fund initiative, to providing campaign strategy to several RWJBarnabas Health hospitals in New Jersey, to planning a global campaign for National Geographic Society, Lara enjoys the process and partnership of our work.

“I love the opportunity to work with, and learn from, so many admirable leaders and volunteers who are dedicated to their cause and community,” she says.

Lara is a graduate of Northwestern University. She is a dual citizen of the USA and France and conversant in French, Spanish, and Arabic. As a volunteer, Lara serves on the Board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) New Jersey Chapter and on the Alumni Giving Committee for the American School in Japan.

Select client Partners

  • American School of Paris
  • Duke Health
  • Gateways Music Festival
  • Geneva Centre for Security Policy
  • JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
  • Lycée Français de New York
  • National Geographic Society
  • Reporters without Borders / Reporters sans frontières
  • RWJBarnabas Health
  • Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
  • United Jewish Appeal – Federation of New York