Consultant - Crossroads Consulting

Janet has been advising clients on fundraising, including capital campaigns, for more than 12 years. Her particular areas of expertise are strategic planning, relationship management, capital and annual campaign planning and execution, communications, major gifts, data and technology management, and publications - including desktop publishing and website design.

Janet established the first development office for Beacon Christian Schools in 2001. Her main task was to meet the annual fund goal of $550,000 to support the operations of the K to 12 school with 350 students, a non-existent database and a small endowment. Within the first year, the board voted to expand and improve its facilities to grow the student body and embark on a multi-million dollar capital and annual campaign. Also during that first year, Janet helped the organization acquire the largest designated gift ever received in their history. She followed that success with an $8.5 million comprehensive capital campaign.

One of her primary roles was to provide leadership in organizational readiness for fundraising, particularly in steering the process of involving and engaging stakeholders.

Throughout her tenure, Janet managed several committees of volunteers in the areas of fundraising, events, strategic planning and finance. She also served on the board of directors and as treasurer before taking on her fundraising role. Subsequently she served as Director of Development, Campaign Director, and was responsible for Marketing and Communications.

In her work with Beacon, Janet also gained considerable experience with media relations, including writing press releases. She is also accomplished at desktop publishing. As a result, Crossroads Consulting can often save clients considerable expense in these areas.

Other/selected Professional Accomplishments:

Janet was one of the first development directors for independent schools to recognize a need for a professional development group in that sector. To that end, Janet founded the Association of Christian School Development & Advancement Directors.
Prior to entering the fundraising field, Janet worked for many years in the legal profession and holds a law clerk's diploma. Her work involved extensive client contact, as well as operations management, financial management, staff hiring and establishment of operating policies and procedures.

Areas of Expertise:

Strategic planning
Capital campaign planning and management
Annual campaign planning and management
Cultivating and securing major gifts
Staff and volunteer training
Staff hiring and management
Volunteer recruitment, training and management
Prospect research
Public relations and special events
Communications
Data management and technology
Brand & identity management
Desktop publishing
Membership/Societies Orientation & Engagement
Recruitment

Professional Accreditations and Associations:

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Golden Horseshoe Chapter, founding member
Association of Christian School Development and Advancement Directors, founder
Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools, Advancement Council member
Rotary International, St. Catharines Club, member and committee member of World Community Service and Charitable Trust