Maryville Academy Foundation, operating as Maryville Foundation, located in Des Plaines, IL, has named Michelle Jimenez as its inaugural Chief Development Officer. Jimenez, a nonprofit professional with over 25 years of extensive experience, assumed the role in November 2022.
In her role as Chief Development Officer, Jimenez’s responsibilities include all fundraising efforts of the Foundation, with a focus on major gifts, planned giving, and campaigns. Maryville Foundation is launching a powerful initiative to support the efforts to move the Charles H. Walsh Sr. Academy and Career Tech High School (formerly known as Jen School) to its new and expanded space in Niles, IL for the 2023-24 school year.
As a nonprofit development professional with extensive experience, Jimenez has a history of managing multiple projects in annual funding and campaign evaluation for various non-profit organizations. For the past two decades, Jimenez has consulted, most recently through HPS Chicago, a full-service fundraising and non-profit consulting practice serving clients similar to those supported by Maryville Foundation.
“Throughout my nonprofit career, the work I have done to support children and families has been my most satisfying and rewarding and I look forward to beginning a new chapter with Maryville Foundation,” said Michelle. “These experiences have demonstrated how important family support is for the overall strength and well-being of an entire community. I am excited to apply my experience and consulting skills to help grow the Foundation into a forward-thinking development operation.”
Capital campaign management has been a core focus of her consulting career and has included the guiding of the creation and design phase, selection and formation of steering committees, gift solicitations, campaign kick-off, and execution. In her consulting roles, Jimenez had the privilege to work with Chicagoland nonprofits including Rainbows for All Children, New Star Services (formerly SouthStar), Visitation Parish, St. Pius X, St. Irene Parish, Old St. Pat’s Church, Community Support Services, St. James Hospital, LIFT India, and others.
“The hiring of our first Chief Development Officer is a defining moment in our history, and we are thankful for KEES for their expertise as we navigated this process. We were seeking a mission-driven and innovative individual to bring a fresh perspective. Michelle brings a true passion and skillset to grow the Foundation and further the mission of Maryville Academy. The entire team looks forward to working with Michelle as we advance our Foundation’s philanthropic activities and increase new opportunities for donors,” said Sean Madden, Board President of Maryville Foundation.
Leading the search efforts were Board President and Search Committee Chair Sean Madden (President (ret.) at Madden Insights) and Search Committee members Frank Pawlak (Attorney/Owner at Frank M. Pawlak, P.C.), Maggie Reynolds (Volunteer at Maryville), Randy Roberts (Village Trustee at Village of Skokie), and Pat Shea (Commodities Trader). This was the first search partnership for KEES and Maryville Academy Foundation, following a competitive selection process to identify a search partner. The comprehensive search attracted several qualified candidates from across the Midwest.
“The future holds enormous potential for Maryville Foundation, and we are thrilled to have led this search,” said Heather Eddy, KEES President and CEO. “KEES strives to help build strong nonprofit teams and leaders through executive partnerships and working with Maryville over the last several months has been extremely rewarding. Client partners that are hiring “the first” of a key leadership role have a unique element, and Michelle will truly help the Foundation gain its footing and come to life. KEES proudly congratulates the entire Foundation team on this appointment.”
About Kees
KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams with dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. A woman owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support.
For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.
About Maryville Academy Foundation
Maryville Foundation’s mission includes raising funds to improve and expand Maryville Academy programs which are focused on protecting children and strengthening families. The Foundation’s support helped Maryville Academy serve 5,300 individuals last year. To learn more, please visit https://www.maryvillefoundation.org/.
About Maryville Academy
Maryville Academy was founded in 1883 by the Archdiocese of Chicago as an
orphanage to house and educate children orphaned by The Great Chicago Fire, Cholera, and the Yellow Fever epidemic. Over its almost 140-year history, Maryville has adapted to the changing needs of society. Today, no longer an orphanage, cOf note, Maryville Academy is a Catholic organization but almost 80% of the children and families supported are not Catholic. The Academy and the Foundation are committed to serving the needs of the entire community.
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