Becoming Business Drivers: Blending Communications and Donor Engagement
Session 6D

Session Description: 

Whether you work within the communications, donor engagement, or stewardship function of your organization, your role can often be seen as a service provider; however, your purpose—and the opportunity to influence—goes far beyond fulfilling requests. We are strategists who blend our marketing acumen with our knowledge of fundraising and stewardship communications. This session will walk attendees through a case study of how the Northwell Health Foundation's strategic communications and donor engagement team transformed itself from service providers to business drivers with measurable results. This presentation will provide tools and an approach using appreciative inquiry that anyone—whether you lead a team or are a team one—can use to be more effective in relationship building to achieve business results.

Shop Size
Suitable for any shop size

Experience Level
Early-career (4–7 years)

Sectors
Private College/University
Public College/University
Private Secondary School
Healthcare
Religious Organization
Arts Organization
Foundation
Environmental Organization
Advocacy Organization
Social Services
Other Nonprofit

Categories
Inspiring Change
Leadership

About the Speaker:

Carolyn Vivaldi
AVP, Strategic Communications and Donor Engagement
Northwell Health

Carolyn Vivaldi joined Northwell Health in 2015 in a newly created role as assistant vice president of strategic communications and donor engagement for the Northwell Health Foundation. Carolyn leads a team of nine communications and stewardship professionals who focus their energy on finding creative storytelling approaches to inspire, thank, and retain donors.

She has more than 25 years of experience helping nonprofit organizations align their messaging strategies with their mission. Carolyn's background includes a bachelor's in journalism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master's in organization development and leadership from Saint Joseph's University (SJU). Carolyn has experience in academic, health care, and agency settings. She taught leadership development at SJU and is a passionate storyteller, change manager, and executive coach.