Meaghan Kilian
What was your role while at Development Guild?
I was an Assistant reporting to Victoria, so I helped with all of her fundraising and executive search clients. I also worked on searches with all of the firm’s Consultants and Principals.
What did you take away from your time here that has served you well in your career?
Working on so many different types of projects at once helped me learn how to organize my time and juggle many priorities. It also gave me a glimpse into what development looks like at organizations of varying sizes and shapes, which has been valuable insight as I’ve worked at different kinds of organizations.
And thanks to Bill, I always make sure every written document I produce has a date and a title!
What have you been up to since leaving?
After Development Guild I worked at Harvard University for a number of years, at both the Kennedy School and the Medical School. While I was there I was pursuing my MBA at Boston University and developed a stronger interest in sustainability and climate change, so the next organizations I worked at were environmentally based: The Trustees of Reservations and the Union of Concerned Scientists. Currently I serve as the Director of Major and Principal Gifts at St. Mark’s School in Southborough. I attended a boarding school myself, so it is really fun and rewarding to be back in that environment!
Meaghan with her husband, her dog, Leo, and her daughter, Alexandra.
Personally, since leaving Development Guild, I got married, moved a few times, got a dog, and had a baby! We recently moved from Somerville to Boxborough so that our 80 lb. dog, Leo, and 20-month-old daughter, Alexandra, can have a proper yard to run around!
Tell us more about your current role.
St. Mark’s School recently launched the public phase of a $115M Capital Campaign, with about $40M left to raise. I manage the frontline fundraising staff and carry a portfolio of top prospects. I also run our Head’s Advisory Council and administer the Planned Giving program. I am also thrilled to be working with Victoria again, as Development Guild is St. Mark’s valued campaign counsel.
What is your fondest memory from your time at Development Guild?
I have lots of fond memories of my time at Development Guild, all involving really great colleagues! One that sticks out was a holiday baking exchange that everyone participated in and was especially fun. On the client side, I remember conducting a site visit to Year Up and being so impressed by what they do. It was really helpful, especially when working on search projects, to get a sense of the organization that you’re working with firsthand, and a fun way to spend some time out of the office!
Do you have any advice you would like to give to incoming employees?
It is such a great opportunity, especially early in your career, to be exposed to the vast array of clients Development Guild serves. Take the time to learn as much as you can about different organizations and industries. On the search side, take note of people with really cool jobs and look at their resumes to understand their paths! Also, take advantage of the network, both inside and beyond the firm. My DG friends have been very good to me in the 10 years since I worked there, and I really value the connections I made.