"I was recruited by the Baltimore-based Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Maryland’s leading classical theatre company, to be its new Director of Development, as the organization was emerging from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic and celebrating its twentieth anniversary. I am responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising plan... incorporating annual giving, grant solicitation and management, special events, and capital initiatives. Ongoing duties include identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gifts from individual donors, foundations, government agencies, and corporate partners."
Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Theatre
(Photo from Theatre Consultants Collaborative,  Alan Gilbert Photography)

‏"When Dr. Gail Keller, a Baltimore-based school psychologist, was asked to deliver her first presentation at a national conference, a mutual friend suggested my services. She had begun to use yoga to develop mindfulness in elementary school students as part of her counseling at Waverly Elementary School in North Baltimore (shown here). The conference was interested in hearing how her techniques could be applied to anti-bullying programs. I helped Dr. Keller to develop her script, created slides and handouts, and coached her in the weeks leading up to the presentation. Part of the project has also included developing branding (logo, website and business cards) to assist in promoting her services to other educators... At the time we began working together, Dr. Keller had joined the staff of West Baltimore's Frederick Douglas High School, which is located near the epicenter of the 2015 civil unrest following the death of Freddie Gray."

Photo from Dr. Gail Keller's website

"I wrote a grant to assist the University of Maryland's midtown campus (then known as Maryland General Hospital) to develop a Point of Contact Breast Cancer Intervention program for women in the predominantly African-American neighborhoods surrounding the hospital in Downtown/West Baltimore. The proposal was successful in obtaining $84,935 from Susan G. Komen Maryland to provide free mammograms, breast exams and diagnostic tests, plus support programs, education and minority outreach."

Photo from Susan G. Komen Maryland newsletter

‏"As a graduate of Gilman School with an interest and background in writing about architecture and historic preservation, I was pleased to volunteer time and talents to my alma mater's alumni magazine. Gilman's nearly century-old Carey Hall was undergoing an extensive renovation and expansion, and the two articles I authored documented the project. Over the years I have also contributed time to other alumni activities."

Cover of Gilman's Alumni Bulletin, Spring 2008

"Recruited by former co-workers from Children’s National Health System in Washington, DC, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona to join the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). The non-profit was conceived as part of a business development effort for Phoenix. As Manager of Corporate & Foundation Relations for the Neurogenomics Division, I secured funding and strengthened relationships that helped the organization move from its start-up phase and into its newly constructed headquarters with state-of-the-art labs and offices for scientists."

Photo by Brian D. Lyles of TGen headquarters on the day of its dedication

‏"When Children’s National Medical Center (now known as Children’s National Health System) embarked on a $200 million fundraising campaign, I was recruited from Baltimore to join in the effort. As Grants Manager, my first success was the acquisition of a new $1 million capital grant to fund the build-out of a new neurological research lab for the Children's Research Institute, affiliated with the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. I also managed a $3-4 million annual portfolio of new and existing operating grants, including establishing and managing corporate and foundation relationships that helped the Giant Steps campaign exceed its goal."

Photo of Children's Hospital lobby from website

"I was asked by the Museum of Industry's Founding Director Dennis Zembala to become the institution's Development Officer. During my two years there, I oversaw the corporate membership program, developed a new annual report, supervised a brick campaign, assisted in presentations to the Maryland Legislature for bond bill funding, managed a new gala, hired a staff, and was promoted to Director of Marketing & Development."

From web, Baltimore Museum of Industry exterior

‏"I once considered teaching as a career, and every summer during my college years I was a counselor to elementary school students at one of the city-sponsored reading camps. The camp at Margaret Brent Elementary School (now Margaret Elementary/Middle School) in Charles Village was the city's only ESL (English as a Second Language) summer program, welcoming children from Southeast Asia, the Middle East and beyond... It was here where I fell in love with the Charles Village neighborhood and later lived across the street from the school for 10 years."

Photo by Brian D. Lyles of Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle School