Fundraising
symposium for parkinson's disease
Advancing Parkinson's Research Through Strategic Fundraising
In 2005, I served as the Associate Development Director for the Parkinson's Institute, where I led fundraising initiatives that supported both patient education and groundbreaking research. Our CEO was the world renowned Dr. William Langston.
Working independently, I secured more than $60,000 in philanthropic support, including a competitive grant from the Neuroscience Institute at Stanford University to underwrite the Parkinson's Institute Annual Symposium. These funds made it possible to deliver a high-quality educational event for patients, caregivers, families, researchers, and healthcare professionals.
The funding supported every major aspect of the symposium, including:
- Nationally recognized keynote speakers
- Ballroom and meeting space rental
- Event registration systems and website support
- Educational breakout sessions
- Lunch and hospitality for attendees
- Event signage and printed materials
- Advertising and community outreach
- Email and direct mail campaigns
- Event logistics and operational expenses
Beyond supporting a successful conference, these fundraising efforts helped expand access to trusted medical information, foster collaboration between clinicians and researchers, and provide patients and families with valuable resources for navigating Parkinson's disease.
I also helped develop and launch a capital campaign that raised $1.5 million to advance Parkinson's research. The campaign strengthened the Institute's long-term capacity to pursue innovative scientific discoveries, support clinical research, and accelerate progress toward improved treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
This experience reinforced my belief that effective fundraising is about far more than securing financial support. It is about building meaningful relationships with donors, foundations, academic institutions, and community partners who share a commitment to improving lives. Successful development work combines strategic planning, compelling storytelling, grant writing, donor stewardship, event management, and careful financial oversight to turn philanthropic investments into measurable impact.
The results of this work extended well beyond dollars raised. They helped create educational opportunities, strengthen scientific collaboration, expand research capacity, and provide hope to thousands of individuals and families affected by Parkinson's disease.
NEWSLETTER
In addition to fundraising, I enhanced the Institute's donor communications by redesigning its newsletter with engaging stories, vibrant visuals, and patient-centered content that highlighted the real-world impact of Parkinson's research and support programs. By sharing stories of hope, scientific progress, and the experiences of patients and families, the newsletter strengthened connections with donors, increased awareness of the Institute's mission, and reinforced the value of continued philanthropic investment.
I use Constant Contact and Mailchimp to develop and manage targeted email marketing campaigns that strengthen donor engagement, increase event participation, and build long-term relationships with supporters. My experience includes designing branded email newsletters, creating compelling fundraising appeals, promoting special events, segmenting mailing lists, and developing communication strategies that keep donors informed and connected to an organization's mission.
I combine persuasive storytelling with strategic messaging to communicate impact, highlight program successes, and inspire charitable giving. My approach integrates email marketing with newsletters, website content, social media, and direct outreach to deliver consistent, mission-driven communications that build trust and encourage sustained support.
Creative Content & Digital Media
I leverage a diverse set of creative and AI-powered tools to produce professional, engaging content that strengthens fundraising campaigns, donor communications, and organizational storytelling. My experience includes creating compelling videos, digital graphics, newsletters, presentations, social media content, and marketing materials that communicate impact and inspire action.
My technology toolkit includes CapCut Pro, Movavi Video Editor, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, and AI-powered content creation tools, enabling me to develop visually compelling campaigns from concept to completion. I combine design, video production, copywriting, and digital marketing to create content that increases audience engagement, enhances brand visibility, and effectively communicates an organization's mission.
By integrating creativity with strategic communications, I help nonprofit organizations tell authentic stories, showcase measurable impact, strengthen donor relationships, and inspire philanthropic support across digital and print platforms.
Strengthening Early Childhood Education Through Countywide Leadership
As the Local Investment in Child Care (LINCC) Coordinator for the County of Santa Clara, I worked to strengthen the quality, accessibility, and long-term sustainability of early care and education services across 14 cities. My role brought together government agencies, nonprofit organizations, educators, businesses, and community leaders to develop collaborative solutions that benefited children and working families throughout the county.
Through a $200,000 capacity-building grant, I received advanced professional training in grant writing, strategic planning, and facilitative leadership. I applied these skills to secure funding opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and advance initiatives that supported the county's long-term vision for early childhood education.
My responsibilities included writing grant proposals, developing strategic communications, and producing an industry report that highlighted the economic and social importance of investing in high-quality early care and education. The report helped raise awareness among policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders about the critical role early childhood education plays in preparing children for lifelong success while strengthening the local workforce and economy.
To increase public awareness and community engagement, I wrote press releases, coordinated media outreach, and organized high-profile community events that brought together educators, parents, elected officials, business leaders, and nonprofit partners. These initiatives strengthened collaboration across sectors and elevated the visibility of early childhood education as a countywide priority.
Working closely with public and private stakeholders, I helped implement—and exceed—the goals outlined in the county's strategic plan by fostering partnerships, supporting innovative programs, and promoting shared accountability for measurable outcomes. My work emphasized collaboration, consensus-building, and strategic leadership to achieve lasting community impact.
I also had the privilege of serving on the Board of First 5 California during the tenure of Actor and Producer Rob Reiner, who chaired the organization and championed statewide investments in early childhood development. We created a community resource van to help the community with valuable resources.
This experience provided valuable insight into statewide public policy, philanthropic investment, and collaborative leadership focused on improving outcomes for California's youngest children and their families.
This role strengthened my expertise in grant development, coalition building, public relations, strategic planning, nonprofit leadership, and cross-sector collaboration—skills that continue to inform my work in fundraising, community engagement, and mission-driven organizations today.
consulting
Continuing as a Development Consultant
Following my tenure as Associate Development Director, I continued to support the Parkinson's Institute as a development consultant, providing strategic guidance to strengthen fundraising and donor engagement.
In this role, I managed donor and foundation relationships, supported fundraising initiatives and special programs, and developed communication strategies that kept supporters connected to the Institute's mission. I oversaw the production of newsletters, donor communications, and outreach materials that highlighted research advancements, patient stories, educational programs, and the impact of philanthropic giving.
By combining relationship management with compelling storytelling, I helped cultivate donor confidence, maintain long-term engagement, and communicate how every contribution advanced research, education, and support for individuals and families living with Parkinson's disease.
Since then, I have worked with several non-profit organizations, including the Leukemia Society of Northern Nevada, Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful, The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, The Builder's Association of Northern Nevada, Earth Day, Women's Shelters, and donated to Precious Paws.