Allen Peckham

Senior Vice President

Allen is committed to seeing leaders achieve results. His extensive work with high performing non-profits combined with his deep understanding of how to effect organizational change uniquely enables him to help maximize opportunity for his clients. That list includes: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles), Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, McLean Hospital, Mount Auburn Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, and St. Mark’s School.

Prior to joining Development Guild DDI, Allen served as Chief Development Officer for Partners HealthCare, a position he held for nearly 16 years. Over the course of his tenure, he designed the model to provide development services and oversight to the 11 Partners-affiliated hospitals and programs. Earlier in his career, Allen also served in a variety of leadership roles including Senior Vice President for Development and Public Affairs at Massachusetts General Hospital and Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Bentley College.

Allen is the past president of the Massachusetts Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the former president of the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy’s (AHP) Health Systems Development Network (HSDN). He was also a member of the development leadership committee of the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Hope Health, and has previously served on the boards of Big Brother Big Sister of Massachusetts Bay and Spaulding Cape Cod, to name a few.

A resident of Cape Cod, Allen enjoys spending time with his wife Kathy, their children and grandchildren. He can often be found on the golf course, or playing his guitar (rock and blues are his specialty).

Anne Schlereth

Outreach Consultant

Anne is a natural bridge builder.  Throughout her professional career she has been bringing people together to create meaningful, sustainable change.  As a member of the Development Guild DDI Executive Search team, Anne employs these talents to engage potential candidates and build relationships with them.  Anne’s brings insights into the non-profit sector and a dedication to finding exceptional candidates for critical positions to each of her client engagements, including: Aspen Institute, Colby College, UMass Lowell, Up Education Network, and Huntington Theatre.

Prior to joining our team, Anne worked at Mount Holyoke College where she led the outreach, recruitment, onboarding, and supervision of community engaged students serving in youth-based organizations.  In addition, Anne served as the Program Coordinator for the Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers and Program Assistant at Community Action Organization located in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Anne earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Plymouth State College and a Master of Education in Adult Learning and Training Development from Lesley University.  Anne’s graduate thesis focused on her interest in how mentoring works in human service organizations. Anne is an involved community member in Western Massachusetts, volunteering in her children’s school and focusing on supporting local initiatives.  Outside of work, Anne enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and running in the rural, hilly areas near her home.

Daniel Coffin

Director of Information Systems and Operations

Dan likes to be ahead of the curve. It started as a difficult case of tinkering with expensive electronics when he was young, but it has since become Dan’s strong suit. In order to fix something, one must understand how it works. This is an important mantra for Dan in his role as chief tinkerer at Development Guild DDI. He gets excited about “systems” and “logic,” but his interest really lies in dealing with people. Understanding how something works includes knowing what makes its user tick. So whether working with a client, an executive, or an assistant with a great idea, Dan is committed to developing solutions that enrich peoples’ lives by making their jobs a little easier.

Recently Dan has been dedicating time to Development Guild DDI’s communications programs, especially the digital ones. His dream is to hear a Development Guild DDI advertisement on NPR.

When not helping to find the right app for the job, Dan keeps busy cooking, practicing photography, hiking, and spending time with his lovely family in the “Shire.” Oh, and he also produced and edited an acclaimed feature documentary titled Cape Spin! An American Power Struggle.

Danielle Gauthier

Marketing Consultant

Danielle keeps us all connected.  As Development Guild DDI’s Marketing Consultant, Danielle puts her passion for our team and clients to work by implementing and supporting innovative marketing methods to ensure we stay up to date and in the loop. She joins our team after working as a book publicist at Penguin Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House Publisher in New York City. At Penguin Press, Danielle spearheaded national publicity campaigns to maximize a book’s reach and sales. In her free time, she volunteered with Read Ahead, a mentoring program for elementary school students committed to developing an early love of reading. She also dedicated her time to an all-girls charter school in an under-served area of Brooklyn, where she mentored a high school student on future education and career opportunities.

Danielle is a graduate of Hamilton College with a B.A. in English Literature and German Studies. After spending a year as a Fulbright Association scholar in southern Germany and two years in the big apple, she is happy to return to her New England roots. Outside of the office, Danielle is most likely to be found reading a book, hiking in her home state of New Hampshire, or planning her next travel adventure.

Deborah Brown, MBA

Senior Vice President of Finance & Administration, Principal

Debbie rocks (and not just to 80’s music)! Since joining Development Guild DDI in 1998, she has served as our rock, putting her insights, analytic powers, compassion, and sense of humor to work guiding the strategic direction of our firm. Debbie has served in several leadership roles prior to becoming our Senior Vice President of Finance & Administration. Bringing more than 20 years of experience to her role, Debbie directs our team in their administrative and management functions, including accounting and finance, contracts and proposals, human resources, technology, and contracts.

Before joining Development Guild DDI, Debbie was employed at Fine Arts Express, the largest art handler in the nation, for eleven years. Debbie served as Director of Human Resources, overseeing all internal policies and procedures. Debbie is a member of Northeast Human Resources Association and the Society for Human Resource Management. She received her undergraduate degree in Art History from Brandeis University and an M.B.A. from Simmons School of Management.

Outside of the office Deb can be found cheering on the Red Sox with her son and daughter, catching up on the stats with sports radio, reading books from independent bookstores, and counting down the days to her annual summer escape to Long Beach Island on the New Jersey Shore.

Emily Ames

Consultant

Emily is a multi-tasker extraordinaire. Putting her passion for helping people to work both at Development Guild DDI and in a variety of volunteer capacities, she is a member of both our fundraising and executive search teams.  Our clients benefit from Emily’s project management talents and her deep commitment to working with nonprofit organizations. Her clients include: Beaver Country Day School, Camp Belknap, Cape Ann Museum, Montefiore Einstein, Museum of Arts and Design, Storm King Art Center, and Western Connecticut Health Network.

Emily’s volunteer experiences introduced her to the impact of philanthropy. She has been an active volunteer for a number of youth organizations, including Big Brother Big Sister of the Ocean State and the Boys and Girls Clubs. Emily is an alumna of Providence College. When not at work, she can be found in New Hampshire, hiking or skiing, and relaxing with her friends, both human and canine.

GG Ganzorig

Full Stack Developer

GG supports our team by weaving together her two passions: designing software and fighting for social justice. As our Full Stack Developer, she develops software that helps our clients connect with their constituents and drive their missions forward. Before joining Development Guild, GG was enrolled in an intensive Software Engineering program at the Fullstack Academy in New York City. Prior to, she worked as a Frontend Developer at The Charles, a creative digital agency in Soho. GG holds a B.A. in Political Science and International/Global Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

As a volunteer Interpreter at the National Immigrant Justice Center and a former Advocate with the White House Initiative on Asian American Pacific Islanders, GG is dedicated to the empowerment of immigrant communities, and especially of women. When not in the office or volunteering, GG loves traveling (she’s hoping to visit family in Mongolia, where she was born, sometime soon!), taking long hikes, and learning more about the many plants and species of the world!

Hilary Shepard, MBA

Fundraising Consultant

Scaling up is always on Hilary’s mind (and not just in terms of mountains!). Hilary approaches her work with a growth oriented perspective, employing both her creative and analytic talents in partnering with our clients to elevate and achieve their fundraising goals. Her clients include: The American University in Cairo, Boston Children’s Hospital, Colby College, Cradles to Crayons, Fitchburg State University, Johns Hopkins University, Mount Sinai Health system, and St. Mark’s School.

Prior to joining Development Guild DDI, Hilary most recently worked at Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries as Senior Director of Philanthropy where she led all aspects of the organization’s fundraising program. Her previous experiences include serving as Director of Annual Campaigns at Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study, Director of Annual Giving at Boston University, and Editor of Advancement Communications at Simmons College. Hilary has received numerous awards from CASE, including two national Circle of Excellence Awards for her annual giving work.

Hilary earned a degree in English from William College and a Master of Business Administration from Simmons College School of Management. When not working with her clients, you will most likely find Hilary outdoors. Be it skiing in the mountains of northern New England, sailing, hiking (Peru is a recent favorite), or spending time with her dog Mayu, Hilary’s love of being outside matches her passion for our clients.

Jacqueline Ducharme

Consultant

Jackie is a woman of action.  She drives both herself and her colleagues to have a direct impact. Jackie’s clients benefit from her passion for making a difference (ignited by her time volunteering in Tanzania), and her business management acumen, honed while working in her family’s printing business. Motivated by the power of change, Jackie works on fundraising and executive search projects blending her masterful customer service skills with her love of data analytics. Her clients include: Beaver Country Day School, Hebrew SeniorLife, Lawrence Academy, Regis College, Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps, and The Yard.

An accomplished dancer and proud native Mainer, Jackie can be found on stage or on the coast enjoying both the sand and the snow.

Jamie Justice

Accounting and Contracts Manager

Jamie makes it all add up. As a member of the Development Guild DDI administrative team, Jamie puts her degree in accounting from Bentley University to great use. A huge fan of numbers and details (and the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox!), Jamie approaches her work with dedication to accuracy. Helping us help our clients deliver results and support their constituencies, Jamie is inspired by the big picture, for both Development Guild DDI and our clients.

Her prior experience includes working in the office of her family-owned sports bar and interning in London at Anderson-Ross Chartered Accountants. When not focused on the numbers, Jamie can be found listening to live music, relaxing with her cat Rosie, or reading, preferably on the beaches of Truro, Cape Cod.

Jesenia Haynes

Executive Search Research Analyst

As our Executive Search Research Analyst, Jesenia brings her passion for research and making a difference in the world to each of her client engagements. Prior to joining us, Jesenia worked as a Project Consultant at Bluefield Research, an advisory firm that provides insights into water markets. She earned her B.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a certificate in Environmental Studies from Princeton University. While there, Jesenia served as the Social Media Chair of the Princeton Conservation Society and played on the Women’s Club Rugby team.

Outside of the office, Jesenia enjoys learning about all-things science, traveling to (and eating her way through) new cities, weightlifting, and arts and crafts.

Jesse Bryan

Consultant

Jesse likes to dig deep. As a senior member of our Research Team (and resident horticulturalist), Jesse strives to unearth and engage exceptional candidates for our client searches.  His client projects include: Fountain House, Montefiore Einstein, Mount Sinai Health System, and Partners in Health.

Prior to joining Development Guild DDI, Jesse worked for 10 years at Heidrick & Struggles providing candidate research and outreach for the firm’s education, nonprofit and social enterprise clients. While with Heidrick & Struggles, Jesse served as lead researcher for senior level positions at Georgia Institute of Technology, the MasterCard Foundation, Partners In Health and the Ford Foundation.

A graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in history, Jesse now calls Brooklyn home, where he cheers (quietly) for his beloved Marlins. Outside of the office, he is thinking what to create for dinner with his weekly CSA vegetable and fruit share and what music to play when it’s time to turn on the stove!

E. James Kraus Jr. CFP, CFRE

Senior Consultant

For Jim it has always been about taking things to a new level.  In his 40 years as a fundraising professional (and perhaps influenced by his nearly 30 years as both an active duty and reserve Air Force officer), Jim has consistently elevated expectations about the role of philanthropy in helping organizations achieve their missions, resulting in soaring levels of support.

Jim brings deep industry knowledge and an ambitious vision for success to each of his client engagements. Most recently, Jim provided resident interim fundraising counsel at Fisher College while Development Guild conducted their search for a Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Affairs. In this role, he spearheaded a number of critical initiatives: developing the scope for the College’s case for philanthropy; reviewing all staff’s development roles and expectations; reviewing all current fundraising policies and creating best practices for philanthropy; identifying the College’s prospect pool; and leaving a calendar of activities in place for the incoming VP – all of which prepared for a seamless transition for the College’s new leader.

Before joining our team, Jim served as Executive Director of Development at the Museum of Science, Boston where he helped formulate and implement the key strategies that drove the institution to complete its first comprehensive capital campaign in its 185-year existence, raising $288 million.  Following that effort, Jim negotiated the largest gift in the Museum’s history, a $50 million contribution from Michael Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies.  Jim’s previous experience includes 10 years as Senior Vice President of Development at North Shore Medical Center (NSMC), part of the Partners HealthCare System. During his tenure, Jim formed the NSMC Foundation and successfully completed three capital campaigns. Jim’s experience also includes serving as Vice President of Development at the Central Maine Healthcare System and Director of Development at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. Jim’s consulting experience includes resident campaign counsel roles at the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans and Children’s Friend and Family Services.

Jim received his B.A. from Saint Michael’s College and an M.A. from George Washington University. He is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive, a Certified Financial Planner, and a Director of the Lower Merrimack Valley Boys and Girls Clubs.  A longtime resident of Boston’s North Shore, outside of work Jim can be found relaxing near the water in his favorite Adirondack chair enjoying the company of family and friends.

Jordyn Rappaport

Office Assistant

Jordyn keeps our office running. As the firm’s Office Assistant, Jordyn utilizes her organization and communication skills, along with a passion for positive change, as part of the human resources team and in her client work. Prior to joining Development Guild, Jordyn worked as a Content Architect for Silver Cloud Inc., a software company in Portsmouth, NH. She recently graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.A. in Communication.

Jordyn believes in the impact of philanthropy. While at the University of New Hampshire, she volunteered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation through her sorority, Chi Omega. In 2018, the chapter raised $10,000 to become a wish-granting chapter. In her free time, Jordyn loves rooting on the Red Sox, spending time with family at their cottage in Kennebunkport, Maine, and going on runs and hikes with her dog.

Karen Lieberman-Daly

Senior Vice President, Principal

Karen’s passion for life (and for Development Guild) is contagious. Both her clients and colleagues benefit from her enthusiasm, fearlessness, and dedication. She holds the bar high, partnering with her clients on fundraising initiatives resulting in transformational impact. Karen is gifted at creating strategies and solving problems alongside leaders determined to deliver on their missions. Her clients include: Greater Boston Food Bank, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Perkins School for the Blind, Pine Street Inn, Planned Parenthood, UMass Medical School/UMass Memorial Health Care, and UMass Foundation.

After serving in senior positions at Tufts-New England Medical Center and Boston University, and working on the United States House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, Karen joined Development Guild DDI in 1989 to put her entrepreneurial skills to work. She built the foundation of our fundraising practice, designing our initial approaches to comprehensive capital campaign, feasibility study, and assessment processes. Karen continues to innovate and says her inspiration comes from the dedicated leaders she is privileged to work with every day.

Karen is a Certified Fundraising Executive. She is a past faculty member at Radcliffe Seminars and a former Board member of the New England Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. She also served as Vice President of Women in Development, Boston.

Outside the office Karen enjoys cooking for family and friends and working on her travel bucket list with her husband, Ed. In the summer, she spends as much time as possible on the Cape, where she can be found gardening, kayaking, biking, and taking long walks on Cape Cod’s beaches and trails.

Kate Michaud

Director of Staff Development

Kate brings us all together. As our Director of Staff Development, she manages our internal hiring efforts for both our Boston and New York offices and plays a key role in providing the resources needed to deliver excellence on behalf of our clients. Kate takes an organized yet adaptable approach to her responsibilities, which include performance management, employee relations, training, and professional development of staff.

Kate joined Development Guild DDI in 1999 upon graduating from St. Michael’s College. Her passion for service and her interest in a human resources career made Development Guild DDI the perfect fit. During her 16 year tenure she has taken on progressively senior roles as a member of our administrative team.

When not on the lookout for our next team member, Kate enjoys spending time with her family in Vermont and New Hampshire, skiing in the winter or swimming in the summer.

Katharine Kaplan

Vice President

Katharine’s curiosity knows no bounds. Whether learning about a new client, engaging candidates, or delving into her love of nature (sharks are currently at the top of her list), she is always looking for new ideas and insights. Katharine specializes in executive search, applying her talent for thoughtful listening to both leading client projects and serving as a senior member of our candidate outreach team. Some of her clients have included: Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, The Bostonian Society,  The Carroll Center for the Blind, The Children’s Trust Fund, The Genesis Foundation, Lawrence Academy, National Audubon Society, Northeastern University, The Perkins School for the Blind, Pine Street Inn, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, The Salvation Army of Massachusetts, and Simmons College.

Prior to Development Guild DDI, Katharine’s professional work focused on arts fundraising, including serving as Assistant Director of Major Gifts at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Katharine studied English literature and Women’s studies at the University of Massachusetts and holds certifications in planned giving and futures and options trading.

Katharine resides on the North Shore of Boston with her husband and two sons. When not enjoying time with them, she can often be found in the garden, pruning one of her rose bushes.

Kieran McTague

Senior Vice President and Director, New York, Principal

Kieran’s commitment to his clients gives them the confidence to achieve their goals. As Senior Vice President and Director, New York, Kieran brings more than 25 years of experience to his work in partnering with nonprofits, strengthening fundraising programs, and recruiting key talent for organizations.

The insights and energy he brings to both fundraising and executive search clients have earned him a dedicated following of clients, including American Red Cross of Greater New York, CancerCare, Omega Institute, Mote Marine Laboratory, Hebrew Senior Life, The Yard, Fountain House, YMCA of the North Shore, Tower Hill Botanic Garden and the New England Aquarium. Kieran’s cross-sector experience includes a strong background in higher education, working with institutions such as Emmanuel College, Molloy College, College of Mount Saint Vincent, and Pratt Institute.

Across his career, Kieran has designed and implemented campaigns ranging from $10 million to $225 million. Kieran gets in the trenches with each of his clients, working with board leadership, senior management and development staff to develop a comprehensive strategy and implementation process that takes development programs to the next level. He enjoys working with organizations that have the potential and desire to expand their philanthropic capacity.        

Prior to joining Development Guild DDI, Kieran served as Executive Vice President at Changing Our World. As a Founding Partner and member of its leadership team, he was responsible for designing and implementing successful capital, endowment, and operating programs and campaigns for a diverse array of nonprofit institutions.

Earlier in his career, Kieran held the position of Vice President for Development and Alumnae Relations at Emmanuel College in Boston, Massachusetts, where he directed the successful completion of the first Capital Campaign in the College’s history.

A graduate of Manhattan College, Kieran serves as a Trustee of Cardinal Spellman High School in Bronx, New York, and the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Laura Cannata

Senior Consultant

With more than 30 years of experience as a non-profit and fundraising professional, Laura brings a thoughtful and thorough approach to every client engagement, striving to create positive, long-lasting relationships to help organizations achieve their engagement goals. Her expertise lies in communications, grant writing, events, and advocacy.

Prior to rejoining Development Guild DDI in 2019, Laura most recently worked at Milton Academy as Stewardship and Donor Relations Manager where she oversaw the design and implementation of stewardship communications and events to align with the school’s $175 million campaign. Her previous work also includes serving as Director of Development at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Institutional Giving Manager at From the Top, where she significantly increased revenue during her tenure. Laura is a graduate of Hamilton College with a Bachelor of Arts and Boston University with a Master of Business Administration and concentration in Public and Nonprofit Management.

Born and raised in Upstate New York, Laura’s roots were replanted in Milton, Massachusetts, where she currently resides with her husband and their two children. Outside of work, you can find her biking, gardening, and spending time at the beach with her family on Cape Cod.

Lisa Gell

Senior Consultant

Lisa is inspired by the opportunity to engage potential candidates and build relationships with them. Focused on executive search and specializing in outreach, she enjoys tremendous success recruiting talent for our clients in New York, Boston, and beyond. A select list of her clients includes Boston University, Babson College, Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, Barnard College, Boston Public Library Foundation, Historic New England, International Fund for Animal Welfare, The MacDowell Colony, University of Utah, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Lisa’s work is informed by 25 years of human resources experience with particular emphasis on recruitment and employment for major nonprofit teaching hospitals and healthcare systems including Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Joslin Diabetes Center. Lisa earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of New Rochelle and a certificate in advanced mediation from the Boston Law Collaborative.

Lisa is a long-time supporter of the Massachusetts Society for the Protection of Animals and enjoys volunteer work conducting donor thank you calls. When not spending time with her son or her two adopted cats, Lisa is perfecting her garden.

Lorraine Sahagian

Senior Consultant

Lorraine is always on the move. As a member of our executive search and fundraising teams, she keeps her client engagements on pace and on target from start to finish. Lorraine is motivated by the transformative power that the right talent and fundraising strategy have for her clients. That list includes American Red Cross CT/RI, Anti-Defamation League of New England, Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, Children’s National Health System, College of the Holy Cross, The Mission Continues, Melanoma Research Foundation, The Nightingale-Bamford School, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Tufts Medical Center,  The Salvation Army, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Vassar College.

Lorraine brings over thirty years of fundraising and consulting experience to her work at Development Guild DDI. She served as Managing Director of Development at Robin Hood Foundation, where she grew and helped manage a team that raised over $112 million annually in support of Robin Hood’s innovative poverty fighting initiatives in New York City. Earlier in her career, Lorraine held leadership positions at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, and Hampshire College.

When not in the office or with a client, Lorraine enjoys spending time with her partner Ted, adventure traveling, cooking, hunting down great food in hole-in-the-wall spots and playing in the outdoors. During quieter times, she loves being a homebody and all things NPR -especially This American Life and Story Corps.

Mary Plum

Consultant

As a Consultant at Development Guild DDI, Mary is driven by a passion for creating sustainable, positive change. With each engagement, Mary employs a dedicated, research-driven approach to meet our clients’ diverse and evolving needs. Mary has worked with a range of nonprofit institutions, including: Clayton Christensen Institute, Jersey City Medical Center, National Audubon Society, Smith College, T1D Exchange, UP Education Network, and The Yard.

Mary earned her M.A. in Public Advocacy and Activism at the National University of Ireland, Galway. While there, she served as the Team Leader of NUIG Enactus, where she created and oversaw a variety of projects to improve the community. Mary has also volunteered at the Boys & Girls Club of America, as well as at organizations assisting individuals with autism.

Mary may no longer be traveling across Europe on a regular basis, but she’s always ready for a new adventure! Outside of the office, you may catch Mary at the beach (she’s a certified scuba diver!), singing—she’s classically trained—and playing one of the eight instruments she knows, or attempting to better understand sports (she’s a loyal Buffalo Bills fan).

Matthew Weber

Vice President of Product

Matt is passionate about building empowering data tools. An award-winning designer, with deep product development expertise and a passion for our work, Matt creates tools to enable our clients to better understand their constituencies. With this knowledge, our clients can make more informed, strategic decisions.

Prior to joining our team, Matt served as Vice President UX and Design at Zoomdata and CEO at Conjure. Currently a Lecturer in Columbia’s Master of Applied Analytics Program, Matt previously taught at New York University for a decade where he also was a member of the UX Curriculum Board and Dean’s Advisory Committee. Matt is also the Founder and Co-Organizer of UX + Data Meetup (www.meetup.com/ux-data), which meets monthly in New York and has over 5,000+ members. Outside of the office and classroom, you will find Matt enjoying time with his wife, daughter and son in New Jersey.

Max Paymar

Full Stack Developer

Max is passionate about creating high-quality applications that affect positive change. As our Full Stack Developer, Max finds ways to use technology and data to help our clients further their mission. Prior to joining our team, Max worked as a Programmer Analyst at Trepp, where he built frontend and backend software for their new CLO website. Outside of the office, Max is dedicated to sharing his passion for computer science with children. He volunteers with Triple F Empowerment, a Harlem organization that exposes kids to STEM at a young age to inspire and empower them to pursue careers within the field.

Max graduated from Northwestern University with a double degree in Electrical Engineering and Jazz Studies. In his free time, he enjoys playing the saxophone, trying new cuisines, and increasing his knowledge of old films.

Maya Grevatt

Consultant

Maya keeps us in good shape. As a member of our team (and a certified personal trainer), Maya combines her passion for social impact and love of strategy to keep us focused on our most important goals. Prior to joining Development Guild DDI, Maya served as a program consultant with 5210 Worcester, assisting in the implementation of a childhood obesity pilot program and as a member of the program evaluation team at Seven Hills Global Outreach where her work took her to West Africa to study women-led micro-financing enterprises. Her clients have included Colby College, George Washington Mount Vernon, Mount Sinai Health System, National Coast Guard Museum Association, Partners in Health, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division, Simmons College, and YMCA of Greater Boston.

Maya is an alumna of Clark University where she earned both her BA and a Master of Public Policy Administration degree. A Vermonter at heart, Maya now calls Boston home. When not at work she can be found running (preferably with a canine companion), listening to investigative reporting and political podcasts, and thinking about where her travels might take her next.

Nicholas Stephenson

Full Stack Developer

Nicholas has always had a passion for making the world a better place. As our Full Stack Developer, he draws upon that passion to simplify and streamline complexities to create software that drive our clients’ missions forward. Nicholas previously worked at the Flatiron School in NYC as a Technical Coach, where he supported online web development students and their comprehension of general coding concepts. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University and has completed Flatiron School’s Full Stack Web Development program.

In addition to software development, Nicholas is passionate about the entertainment industry—he loves indie and foreign films and music (he’s a frequent concert-goer)—and giving back—for the past few years, he has served as a project leader with New York Cares, where he coordinates monthly visits to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital’s geriatric psych ward. He also enjoys the pizza and Caribbean food of Brooklyn, his hometown.

Rebecca Titlow, MBA

Senior Director of Research

Rebecca is passionate about people. She puts her desire to connect clients and candidates to work as our Director of Research. Rebecca identifies new candidates through research and sourcing, engages them during outreach, and builds long-term relationships with both candidates and clients such as Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, Boston University, BELL, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Rhode Island School of Design, and Year Up. Rebecca has also played a significant role in growing our conference program and served as a co-chair for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Major Gift and Roundtable Conference Planning Committees.

Prior to joining Development Guild DDI, Rebecca worked for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts. She also spent a year in service with the Americorps National Civilian Community Corps in San Diego. Rebecca holds a M.B.A. from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University and a B.S. from Cornell University.

When not pairing our clients with talented candidates, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and participating in any sort of fitness activity.

Susan Bragg Meurer, M.S.

Senior Vice President of Marketing, Principal

Susan is a mainstay of Development Guild DDI. She joined us in 1993 bringing to her first professional position as Assistant to the President a well-worn passport, a degree in art history, and a deep commitment to social justice issues. And she has never left, committing her professional career to working on behalf of over 300 clients including such diverse institutions as NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Pine Street Inn, Museum of Science, Boston, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, and Year Up.

In her over two decades, Susan has held several leadership positions and is currently the Senior Vice President of Marketing and a Principal of the firm. Prior to this role, Susan served as Vice President of Executive Search and Research. She received her undergraduate degree from Emmanuel College, and a master’s degree from Boston University.

Susan resides on the North Shore of Boston with her husband Stuart, their three sons, and her sweet corgi. When not coming up with new ways to expand Development Guild DDI’s reach, Susan enjoys reading, cooking, and most especially traveling (her latest adventure was Vietnam).

Suzanne J. Battit, MBA

Vice President, Principal

Suzanne is a woman on a mission. And that mission is all about impact. For over 20 years Suzanne has committed herself to helping non-profit organizations successfully achieve mission delivery; improving lives around the world from Africa to Haiti to right here in Boston. Suzanne’s passion and diverse fundraising, marketing, and communication expertise benefits each of her clients, including: The Clayton Christensen Institute, Colby College, Fitchburg State University, Huntington Theatre, and Museum of Arts and Design. Suzanne brings a unique blend of analytic discipline and creativity that both educates and inspires our clients and our own team.

Prior to joining Development Guild DDI, Suzanne served as Vice President of External Affairs and Advancement at The Greater Boston Food Bank where she was a member of the senior leadership team overseeing all aspects of development, marketing, and communications. In this role, Suzanne worked with the CEO and Board on setting the strategic direction of the organization, doubling revenue during her tenure, and also led a complete re-branding initiative that resulted in a 20% increase in funds raised. Her previous work also includes serving as Director of Development at Partners in Health where she built a high performing development team growing revenue from $26 million in 2008 to over $80 million in 2010, including over $50 million for Haiti earthquake relief efforts. In addition, Suzanne was Executive Director of the Harvard College Fund where she managed a team of 40 that consistently exceed its fundraising goals. Earlier in her career, Suzanne worked for 10 years at Putnam Investments where she held several leadership roles the last one being Senior Vice President, Director, Marketing Strategy.

Suzanne earned her undergraduate degree at Colby College and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. A committed alum, she currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Colby Fund Committee, a member of the Campaign Cabinet. and a Harvard Business School Women’s Association member. Outside of work, Suzanne enjoys being with family and friends, traveling, and spending as much time in Maine as possible.

Suzanne Weber, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

Entrepreneurship is in Suzi’s DNA. As Development Guild DDI Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Suzi is the architect behind our vision, strategy, and national growth. Her interest in organizational management reaches back to her childhood days where she could be found performing diverse tasks ranging from pipetting to payroll in her parent’s water treatment firm, Heller Labs.

While earning her MBA from Simmons School of Management, Suzi began her consulting work with a focus on financial planning and analysis. She has applied her organizational development perspective and training to the creation of our executive search and planning services. A trusted advisor to leaders, she has successfully completed over 100 senior-level executive searches for clients across nonprofit sectors, including education, health and sciences, human service, and social justice.  Her most recently completed search, for the new position CEO for The Learning Center for the Deaf, an innovative, deeply respected leader in their field, was her first opportunity to work with an organization serving the deaf.

The pursuit of excellence for our clients and expanding opportunities for our staff remains as motivating for Suzi today as when Development Guild DDI first opened its doors.

Calling Boston and New York home, Suzi enjoys spending time in both locations with Bill and their family. In her free time Suzi enjoys reading, walking with friends, dabbling in gardening, and planning her next travel adventure – her most recent one took her back to Africa to visit KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.

Tara DiDomenico

Fundraising Consultant

For Tara it’s all about impact. A born problem-solver and a thoughtful listener, Tara applies her talent for strategic insights and love of metrics to every client engagement, whether it be fundraising or executive search. Tara’s clients benefit from her skilled understanding of organizational culture and her dedicated ability to assess each client’s unique needs and opportunities. Her clients include: Epiphany School, Genesis Foundation, Melanoma Research Foundation, Mt. Auburn Hospital, Pine Street Inn, Tilton School, Simmons College, and Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Prior to joining Development Guild DDI, Tara worked at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy where over six years she took on increasing levels of responsibility most recently serving as the Director of The Fletcher Fund. In addition, Tara worked in advancement at Wellesley College and began her career as a real estate agent in Boston. She earned her degree in History and Women’s Studies at Skidmore College. A native of Vermont and now calling Sudbury home, Tara enjoys time outdoors be it a walk around Walden Pond with her sons or something a bit more adventurous (her favorite recent trip was a safari in Tanzania).

Tracy Marshall

Senior Vice President, Principal

Tracy is a natural matchmaker. Her talent for engaging conversations makes her the right partner for both clients and candidates. Tracy helps to oversee our executive search practice. Clients, candidates, and colleagues alike benefit from her positive approach. Tracy has worked with a wide range of clients, including Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation, Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Samaritans Inc., St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation, University of Rhode Island Foundation, and Woods Hole Research Foundation.

Tracy rejoined Development Guild DDI in 2011 after serving for 7 years as the Director of Philanthropy at Faulkner Hospital. Tracy’s career has also included positions at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Dana Hall School in Wellesley, MA and the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, DC.

Tracy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Gettysburg College and is passionate about issues of social justice.

Victoria Jones

Executive Vice President and Fundraising Practice Leader, Principal

Victoria is our Motivator-in-Chief, partnering with clients and with colleagues to keep a fresh perspective on fundraising and achieve ambitious goals. A senior leader at Development Guild DDI and a veteran of the field, Victoria serves as our Executive Vice President and Fundraising Practice Leader designing and directing organizational strategy, fundraising and executive search engagements, with particular focus on campaigns and major gift initiatives, systems design, and the build out of complex fundraising teams and practices.

Through her work, Victoria has crafted well-tested, evidence-based models of return on investment, goals and projections, and business plans. Her clients include Barnard College, Beaver Country Day School, Blair Academy, Children’s Hospital Trust Boston, Montefiore Einstein Medical Center, Noble and Greenough School, Regis College, Storm King Art Center, Vassar College, WBUR, and Western Connecticut Health System.

Victoria first developed her passion and practice in several staff campaign roles where she served as Director of Major Gifts, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, Campaign Director, and Vice President for Development and Public Affairs. In these roles, Victoria provided senior staff leadership for three campaigns, large signature fundraising events, Board recruitment and development, and communications.

To varying degrees of success, Victoria attempts to put her Motivator-in-Chief role in motion with her four daughters. Otherwise, she spends her time at her cottage in Maine, skiing, reading, and cooking for her 15-year, 16-member Friday Night Supper club.

Wei Wei

Senior UX Designer

Wei believes that the most powerful technology transforms entrepreneurial concepts into new products & services. As our Senior UX Designer, Wei draws upon his past as a multimedia artist and design thinker to build interactive software that understands our clients’ needs and meets them. Prior to joining our team, Wei worked at Bell Labs, a global research center, where his interest in data science and cognitive UX was fostered, and at the Parsons School of Design, where he co-taught a course on how UX intersects with artificial intelligence.

Wei has won awards for his interactive design projects, including the Cancer Game, a computational game which allows users to investigate the symptoms and causes of cancer, and Mood Machine, a multimedia interactive installation that explores the possibility of machines exhibiting human emotions. Wei holds a B.A. in Art Design from the China Central Academy of Fine Arts. In his free time, he enjoys listening to jazz – along with design and data, it’s one of his great passions!

William Weber, Ed.D.

President

New ideas and the power of change are big motivators for Bill. As Development Guild DDI Co-Founder and President (and master change agent), Bill has focused his career on the convergence of strategic planning, philanthropy, and leadership development and the transformational impact it can have on an institution. It is with this perspective he approaches all engagements for clients such as Boston University, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Johns Hopkins Medicine, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Mount Sinai Health System, National Coast Guard Museum Association,  University of Rhode Island Foundation, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Year Up.

As a recognized leader in the field of nonprofit leadership and executive search, Bill has served on national and local boards of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the International Association of Corporate and Professional Recruitment. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh and his doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Raised in New Jersey and today calling both Boston and New York home, Bill listens to the Red Sox games while walking in Central Park. With a longstanding commitment to education and mentoring, Bill has worked as a preschool teacher and an Adjunct Professor at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management.

When not working with a client, Bill can be found cooking dinner for his wife Suzi, relaxing in Wellfleet with his family, reading non-fiction, complaining about his golf game and always coming up with new ways to make Development Guild DDI better.