LISA-MARIE SMITH
Toronto,ON
Summary
- Senior development professional with a proven record of success in working with donors who contribute $1,000,000+.
- Dynamic, senior development professional who oversees all aspects of resource generation by engaging teams and utilizing strong project management and decision-making skills.
- Brings comprehensive knowledge of identifying, building and maintaining strategic relationships, project planning and technical operations.
- Skilled at building and activating a strategic fund development plan.
- Strategic-thinking individual experienced in turning low-performing organizations into top revenue producers.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
DIRECTOR, Partnerships
Engineers Without Borders Canada
02.2022 - 05.2023
- Developed and implemented an overall fundraising strategy for integrated development programs (including annual giving, leadership and planned giving), to increase philanthropic support.
- Provided motivational leadership to a team of development and communications professionals, with a focus on engagement, stewardship, collaboration, communication and achievement of performance outcomes.
- Created a successful annual giving program that resulted in re-engagement of lapsed donors, increase in average donation (30%) and increase in new donors (32%).
- Managed a focused portfolio of major gift donors and prospects ($10K - >$1m), and select corporate and foundation partners.
- Planned and executed a stewardship and recognition program to ensure an excellent donor experience and demonstrate true impact of donor support.
- Ensured effective management and use of donor database and integration/movement of data between multiple systems.
- Oversaw all aspects of donor data, including reporting and coding gifts; ensured accuracy and security of data.
- Planned and implemented successful data migration from Salesforce to Keela, including data mapping and import.
- Worked closely with organizational senior leaders and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Formed strategic partnerships and connected with potential donors and partners to increase revenue.
- Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen donor relationships.
- Drafted and distributed reports to assist CEO and board members with critical business decisions.
MANAGER, Development (Contract)
Empowerment Squared
03.2020 - 03.2022
- Created new development strategy, re-organizing priorities to focus on fundraising.
- Developed and executed a capital fundraising campaign for international project (Liberian Learning Centre).
- Worked with Executive Director to implement plans and strategies to increase revenue.
- Managed a portfolio of leadership and major gift donors, sponsors and legacy donors.
- Managed all fundraising activities, including annual giving, special events, capital campaign and e-giving.
- Developed departmental and organizational policies and procedures including data, donor and gift management and ensured PCI compliance.
- Ensured integrity of donor database.
- Developed and managed partnerships, within the community and internationally.
DIRECTOR, Development
Hamilton/Burlington SPCA
03.2019 - 02.2020
- Created high-performing development team by re-organizing priorities and shifting focus to fundraising.
- Evaluated all development activities and implemented changes to ensure achievement of revenue goals.
- Designed and developed a strategic fundraising plan.
- Managed a portfolio of leadership and major gift donors, sponsors and legacy donors.
- Managed all fundraising activities, including annual fund, special events, capital campaign and e-giving.
- Developed departmental policies and procedures including data and donor management, PCI and CASL compliance and Raiser's Edge guidelines and security protocol.
- Planned and implemented a successful migration to Raiser's Edge NXT platform.
- Responsible for annual revenue generation in excess of $2.5m.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Evaluated company documentation to verify alignment with regulatory requirements.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
ADVANCEMENT SERVICES, Brock University
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Designed, developed and executed a robust Annual Fund plan and liaised with faculties to determine funding priorities.
- Leveraged technology, research and knowledge of data to increase call centre revenue by 255%.
- Increased e-giving 450+% by developing and implementing peer-to-peer fundraising program.
- Completed regular analysis of donor pool and presented statistical and analytical reports that evaluated strategies and provided a baseline for future projects.
- Developed and executed action plans and forecasted revenue goals for defined development programs.
- Built relationships among Brock alumni and donors to encourage engagement and create a culture of philanthropy.
- Supported and mentored 75+ people on two teams including analysts, researchers, data developers, administrative support staff, manager, team leaders and student fundraisers.
- Participated as senior leader in Data Governance, SIS Planning, and PCI/Security committees and other university planning; held accountability for Annual Fund and Advancement Services business units.
- Planned and implemented a successful migration to Raiser's Edge NXT platform.
- Ensured multi-platform technology was current and compliant (PCI, Privacy and Security).
- Determined data collection/management requirements, and directed movement of data to and from multiple platforms across the University.
- Ensured cost effective delivery of Operations Services to meet departmental needs and respond to changing business priorities; monitored vendor and supplier performance to meet agreed targets.
- Developed, implemented and managed improvements to processes and services, and identified areas of improvement to achieve University's revenue goals; implemented new policies around disbursing and protecting information.
- Drove daily operations of Development & Alumni Relations and provided strategic direction through leadership and technical support; supported planning and coordination of campaign policies.
- Managed the close of a $97M campaign and began preparing for new capital campaign.
- Oversaw all aspects of donor data, including reporting and coding gifts; ensured accuracy of database and security of data.
- Led business process reviews, including the creation and enforcement of policies and procedures relating to data management, measurement analysis and reporting.
- Successfully managed budgets ($2m), and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
- Leveraged data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements.
Development Manager/Senior Development Officer
Easter Seals Ontario
01.2011 - 01.2015
Fundraising Director (Contract)
The AIDS Network
01.2010 - 01.2011
Director, Fundraising/PG Specialist (Contracts)
Big Brothers Big Sisters
01.2005 - 01.2010
Education
B.A. - Business Communications
Brock University
St. Catharines, ON04.2025
McMaster University, DeGroote School of Business
Hamilton, ONFundraising/Development Associate - Not-for-Profit Management/Fundraising
Mohawk College of Applied Arts And Technology
Hamilton, ONAssociate of Science - Computer Systems Technology (3 Year, Co-op)
Mohawk College of Applied Arts And Technology
Hamilton, ONSkills
- Budget Management
- Relationship Building
- Operational Reporting
- Cultivating and Securing Significant Gifts
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Strategic Planning
- Donor Engagement
- Grant Submissions/Management
- Organizational Leadership
- Recognition Programs
- Database Systems (Blackbaud Certified)
- Volunteer Engagement
- Negotiation Strategies
- Strategic Direction
- Data Management
- Strategic Partnership
Certification
Blackbaud Certified
Microsoft Certified
Cvent Certified
Timeline
DIRECTOR, Partnerships
Engineers Without Borders Canada
02.2022 - 05.2023
MANAGER, Development (Contract)
Empowerment Squared
03.2020 - 03.2022
DIRECTOR, Development
Hamilton/Burlington SPCA
03.2019 - 02.2020
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
ADVANCEMENT SERVICES, Brock University
01.2015 - 01.2019
Development Manager/Senior Development Officer
Easter Seals Ontario
01.2011 - 01.2015
Fundraising Director (Contract)
The AIDS Network
01.2010 - 01.2011
Director, Fundraising/PG Specialist (Contracts)
Big Brothers Big Sisters
01.2005 - 01.2010
B.A. - Business Communications
Brock University
McMaster University, DeGroote School of Business
Fundraising/Development Associate - Not-for-Profit Management/Fundraising
Mohawk College of Applied Arts And Technology
Associate of Science - Computer Systems Technology (3 Year, Co-op)
Mohawk College of Applied Arts And Technology
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