BUILDING ON TWO DECADES of volunteer fundraising and
alumni relations experience, Barbara began her professional career in
institutional advancement in 1985. As a volunteer and as a professional
she has earned a reputation for her ability to create new development
and alumni relations programs. And she advances established programs to
significantly higher levels. Donors and volunteers cite Barbara’s
ability to make giving fun and satisfying. Professionals who have worked
with her appreciate her ability to teach and to lead by example. Barbara
combines clarity and precision with a warm gracious style in all her communications.
She has an ability to articulate abstract concepts with concrete illustrations
and language that is easy to understand. Her work style motivates others
to assume responsibility, undertake new projects with confidence, and
to grow professionally. It is her commitment to the advancement profession
that led her to establish Wessel Associates.
BEGINNING HER PROFESSIONAL advancement career as assistant vice president
for development and college relations at Cazenovia College, Barbara quickly
earned recognition for annual fund excellence from the Council for the
Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). She has a finely honed sensitivity
to the needs of the medical and social services communities from her efforts
as Associate Director for Development at the Health Science Center Foundation
at Syracuse and various volunteer commitments.
HER SUCCESS as a major gift officer at her alma mater in its $160
million Campaign for Syracuse led to responsibility to
implement and manage development programs in the University’s
various schools and colleges for its recent $350 million Commitment
to Learning campaign. Most recently, as Vice President for
Institutional Advancement, Barbara reorganized that department at
Saint Michael’s College in Vermont and launched a $52 million
effort, Visions: A Campaign for the Saint Michael’s Student.
IN AN 11-YEAR VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT, Barbara created and managed a highly
successful development operation for the 120,000-member Gamma Phi Beta
Sorority, establishing annual giving, major gifts, and planned giving
programs for its foundation. Currently, she serves on the Board of Visitors
for the College of Health Professions and Human Services at Syracuse University
and chairs its Development Committee, the Board of Directors of the National
Panhellenic Conference Foundation as a member of its Development and Finance
Committees, and the Region I Board of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and
its Development Committee. Her earlier 12-year commitment as trustee and
then chair of the Board of Trustees of the Manlius Library in Central
New York, and her fund-raising efforts for the Library, earned her a citizen
of the year award from the town.
WITH A DEGREE IN MATHEMATICS from Syracuse University and corporate experience
as a systems engineer for IBM, Barbara brings a business focus to the
advancement profession and an innate aptitude for incorporating technology
into its processes. Barbara’s personal philanthropic history brings
the perspectives and sensitivities of the donor to all phases of her professional
efforts.
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