What was your role while at Development Guild?
Caroline Dunn-Rankin
I started at DG as an Assistant, working with Bill Weber on both his search work with clients and his sales work, and providing general administrative support. As an Associate and later a Consultant, I eventually took on a significant portfolio of candidate research while continuing to coordinate searches, focusing in particular on education and social enterprise organizations. In my last couple years at DG, I worked closely with Susan Bragg-Muerer on business development and marketing. This ranged from helping building internal tracking and training systems to working on the firm-wide rebrand that launched in 2016.
What did you take away from your time here that has served you well in your career?
I’m often amazed at how much I learned at DG that continues to be applicable in my career, without even realizing it! I learned how to effectively manage multiple complex projects with a variety of constituents and how to hold successful meetings, and I learned to lead with influence. I also developed excellent internet sleuthing skills, and can tell my colleagues now, “yes, recruiters do look at your Linkedin profile!”
What have you been up to since leaving?
I left DG in 2016 to become the Assistant Director, University Capital Campaign at Harvard University, providing data analysis and management for Harvard’s Alumni Affairs & Development in the final years of its historical campaign. When the campaign concluded, I transitioned into a role in business process and operations for the Harvard Alumni Association’s various programs.
Caroline and her husband on a hike in New Hampshire.
I got married in June of this year – with three DGers (current and former) in attendance! – and I just completed my Master’s in Education (Higher Education Program) at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I’ve tried to take as many adventures as possible – traveling, hiking, biking, etc.
Tell us more about your current role.
As a Business Process Analyst for the Harvard Alumni Association, I work with all the teams responsible for providing engagement opportunities for Harvard alumni to improve their processes – to be more efficient in both time and cost and to be more effective and impactful – and to develop new processes where none exist. It requires having a big picture view to understand the program holistically, while being detail oriented enough to know where and how the process may break down. In the end, it’s all about building relationships (like most jobs!) and change management.
What is your fondest memory from your time at Development Guild?
I am so lucky to have made lifelong wonderful friends at DG. It’s definitely the time with them that is the highlight. I also had the opportunity to meet and work with some incredibly inspiring leaders in the nonprofit space.
Do you have any advice you would like to give to incoming employees?
The people who work at DG both care deeply about their clients and colleagues and are very good at what they do. Look for opportunities to learn from them and take on new challenges when they are presented. That just might be how you’ll find a new skill or passion.