Passion for Philanthropy:

Michele has a deep passion for creating opportunities that educate and assist people in giving back to their community. Her work supporting nonprofit organizations focuses on building and maximizing donor relationships that result in greater levels of giving. Michele also has a rare expertise in effecting strategies that acknowledge the role and importance of women donors and their impact on the future of philanthropy.

 

Experience:

Michele has successfully served the nonprofit and fundraising industry for more than 28 years developing innovative programs by implementing efficient and effective strategies that build meaningful relationships with employees, donors, volunteers, and businesses. She has worked with large and small organizations, education and healthcare institutions, social services and communities, bringing them to new heights of participation and growth.

 

In response to the inspiration and dedication she discovered through a decade of engaging with the female investors in ASU Foundation’s Women & Philanthropy program, Michele established her own consulting practice in 2016. This rare, hands-on experience offers her a unique niche of expertise for coaching nonprofit organizations to integrate strategies that recognize the escalating and transformational role women have on society through their philanthropy.

 

Her range of development roles have offered her the perspectives of both the donor as well as the organization, expanding her experience and understanding of the need for mutually beneficial

strategies. Never one to simply follow “traditional practices” Michele specializes in assisting nonprofits with the identification and implementation of personalized, appropriate, innovative, thoughtful practices that focus on maximizing their current and prospective donor relationships.

 

Michele also serves as highly regarded speaker on strategies to engage women donors as well as stewardship and relationship building practices for many conferences and symposiums, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation and Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits.

 

In 2018, Michele joined the international consulting firm of CCS Fundraising serving as an Arizona based consultant and Executive Director supporting southwest clients and driving the expansion of CCS into the Arizona nonprofit sector. Her wide range of experience and skill assisted clients with testing the readiness and capacity for potential campaigns and fundraising program assessments. Using her expertise in women focused philanthropy, she also guided Georgia State University in formalizing their Women’s Philanthropy Network.

 

Prior to her consultant career, Michele led the ASU Foundation’s Women & Philanthropy program for nearly a decade creating innovative and strategic opportunities for female donors that inspired continuous growth in engagement and individual contributions to ASU. Under her direction and leadership, Women & Philanthropy became a renowned pathway for female community leaders to make meaningful financial and intellectual impact on the future of higher education at ASU. She also achieved success in development and community engagement positions with John C Lincoln Health Network Foundation/Desert Mission (now HonorHealth) and United Blood Services (now Vitalant).

 

Personal:

Originally from Upstate New York, Michele has lived in Arizona since 1988. She is an Ironman triathlete, competitive rower, and avid animal lover. Hoyt, her long-time significant other is a Colonel, commanding officer and refueling pilot for the Arizona Air National Guard as well as a pilot for a national commercial airline. They enjoy local and international travel as well as taking their camper and dogs for off the grid excursions and any opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

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