Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Sue Ward

Joliet

Summary

Results-driven leader adept at guiding high-performing teams and implementing strategic initiatives to drive business success. Known for fostering collaborative environment and achieving measurable milestones. Exhibits strong leadership and adaptability to changing business needs.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

National Senior Director, Special Events

Arthritis Foundation
01.2022 - 06.2025
  • Provided national strategic oversight for over 160 peer-to-peer and signature fundraising events across more than fifty markets.
  • Developed and led the cross-functional strategy focused on sustainable growth, operational excellence, and strong volunteer engagement to advance the Foundation’s mission.
  • Directed a $15M+ national special events portfolio, consistently achieving year-over-year revenue growth.
  • Developed and implemented performance metrics to enhance operational efficiency across departments.
  • Managed a national budget across the programs, ensuring fiscal responsibility and strategic allocation of resources.
  • Led a team of three and consulted with more than 50 markets nationwide, providing strategic guidance and operational support to field teams.
  • Developed and executed the national strategy for peer-to-peer fundraising events, aligning with organizational goals and driving innovation across campaigns.
  • Developed internal staff playbooks, toolkits, and training resources to support consistent execution and enhance staff performance nationwide.
  • Designed and led staff and volunteer training, equipping community leaders with the tools to succeed in fundraising and event planning.
  • Determined and coordinated marketing needs for special events, working cross-functionally with communications and external partners to drive fundraising, engagement, and participation.
  • Built strategic partnerships with internal departments and external partners to amplify the reach and success of community events.
  • Maintained industry awareness to adapt best practices, propose new event opportunities, and enhance the overall donor and volunteer experience.

Development Director

DuPage Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity Chicago South Suburbs
09.2018 - 12.2021
  • Led the strategy and execution of a comprehensive fundraising and marketing program, generating $3.8M annually and driving a $2.6M increase in revenue over two years. Provided strategic oversight across all development functions and marketing while managing and mentoring a team of up to 10.
  • Directed integrated annual fundraising plans spanning corporate relations, individual and major giving, grants, events, and retail partnerships.
  • Developed staffing and tactical plans that significantly expanded revenue streams and operational capacity.
  • Provided leadership and strategic guidance to a cross-functional team covering fundraising, grants, corporate procurement, events, and marketing.
  • Served on the Senior Leadership Team for two major affiliates, helping shape regional strategy and organizational alignment.
  • Cultivated and managed high-value relationships with board members, donors, and philanthropic partners to ensure sustainable funding.
  • Secured financial resources through a mix of corporate sponsorships, individual giving, grant funding, and large-scale special events.

Sr. Director, Donor Development, Volunteerism, Marketing, and Logistics

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
03.2018 - 08.2018
  • Led the development and execution of an integrated donor development strategy focused on major gifts, institutional and foundation giving, planned giving, and stewardship, targeting $3.1M in annual revenue. Managed a cross-functional team of 5 staff across donor development, marketing, logistics, and volunteer engagement.
  • Directed donor pipeline cultivation and stewardship efforts to identify and engage high-potential prospects across all chapter campaigns.
  • Partnered closely with the National Office to align chapter goals with national donor development initiatives, securing major gifts and driving performance metrics.
  • Developed and implemented communications and events that kept donors informed on research advances and deepened engagement.
  • Built and led a robust volunteer engagement program, including training, recognition, and retention strategies aligned with the organization’s strategic vision.
  • Served as primary liaison to key volunteers and the Board of Trustees, fostering strong leadership partnerships and enhancing volunteer involvement.
  • Championed organizational capacity building through cross-departmental collaboration and strategic volunteer program development.

Senior Director, Revenue - Light The Night, Volunteerism, Marketing, and Logistics

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
03.2018 - 08.2018
  • Led the strategy, execution, and cross-functional coordination of major fundraising initiatives for the Greater Chicago chapter, overseeing a $2.3M revenue goal. Managed a high-performing team of 7 professionals across campaign execution, volunteerism, logistics, and marketing.
  • Implemented a comprehensive strategic plan for LLS campaigns, encompassing revenue/expense forecasting, event timelines, logistics, marketing, volunteer recruitment, and sponsorship strategy.
  • Supervised, coached, and developed staff in delivering high-impact fundraising events and integrated marketing and volunteer engagement efforts.
  • Recruited, mentored, and supported volunteer leaders and participants to develop and execute personal fundraising plans aligned with the LLS mission.
  • Applied organizational best practices in donor and volunteer engagement, resulting in revenue growth and strengthened community partnerships.
  • Identified and activated target audiences through tailored recruitment and fundraising strategies that improved donor acquisition, retention, and upgrade rates.
  • Built organizational capacity by cultivating a strong culture of volunteerism, developing cross-departmental training, recognition, and retention programs.
  • Assessed campaign performance through data-driven evaluations of ROI, community engagement, and donor satisfaction.
  • Led sponsorship development efforts including in-kind and cash support through a structured plan involving prospect research, cultivation, and stewardship.
  • Served as a key liaison between chapter leadership, staff, and community stakeholders to ensure seamless delivery of mission-aligned campaigns and events.

Consultant

Plenty Consulting
03.2016 - 11.2016
  • Led client relationships with nonprofit and business partners across the U.S., delivering strategic fundraising consulting to maximize organizational growth and revenue potential. Utilized qualitative and quantitative analysis to assess fundraising programs and develop actionable roadmaps for success.
  • Conducted comprehensive evaluations of fundraising programs, prioritizing resources and staffing to align with organizational goals and growth opportunities.
  • Collaborated closely with nonprofit leadership, staff, volunteers, and donors to clarify objectives and design effective fundraising strategies.
  • Delivered in-depth presentations, detailed reports, and white papers outlining discovery findings and tailored recommendations for campaign revitalization and expansion.
  • Led strategic discussions to recalibrate struggling peer-to-peer fundraising programs and guided successful organizations through ambitious campaign initiatives.
  • Managed cross-functional internal and client teams to ensure timely, high-quality delivery of consulting projects.
  • Analyzed peer-to-peer fundraising platforms, developing optimized materials, timelines, and strategic plans.
  • Facilitated peer-to-peer fundraising training sessions for national nonprofits, enhancing capacity and campaign effectiveness.
  • Authored thought leadership blog posts on fundraising, volunteerism, leadership, and strategic growth.

Director, National Volunteer Programs

American Brain Tumor Association
08.2014 - 02.2016
  • Pioneered the development and launch of ABTA’s first nationwide grassroots volunteer network, ABTA CommYOUnity, establishing the vision, policies, infrastructure, and integration of a scalable national volunteer program.
  • Designed and implemented comprehensive volunteer program infrastructure, including applications, training, onboarding, evaluations, and database management for staff, Board, and volunteers.
  • Created the nation’s first brain tumor peer mentoring initiative, ABTA CommYOUnity Connect, overseeing volunteer recruitment, training, scheduling, and peer-to-peer matching.
  • Led efforts to connect organizational resources and events with local brain tumor communities, ensuring accessible, meaningful, and impactful volunteer experiences.
  • Managed budgeting and financial stewardship for the national volunteer program, optimizing resource allocation.
  • Collaborated with executive leadership and advancement teams to develop strategic volunteer-to-donor and donor-to-volunteer initiatives, increasing individual giving aligned with best practices.
  • Built and nurtured strong partnerships with community and corporate stakeholders to expand volunteer engagement and program reach.
  • Identified and launched new volunteer programs and community relations strategies to enhance ABTA’s capacity and visibility.
  • Directed strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and drive organizational growth.
  • Implemented performance metrics to monitor progress and align team objectives with business goals.
  • Led cross-functional teams in developing innovative solutions to complex challenges.

National Trainer, Distinguished Events and Corporate

American Cancer Society
10.2013 - 08.2014
  • Developed and delivered comprehensive training programs for diverse audiences across multiple regions.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance training materials and ensure alignment with company objectives.
  • Assessed training needs through surveys and performance evaluations, tailoring programs to meet specific requirements.
  • Implemented feedback mechanisms to evaluate training effectiveness and make data-driven improvements.

Special Events Manager - Partnerships & Experience

American Cancer Society
09.2011 - 10.2013
  • Served as a key member of the division-wide strategic leadership team, guiding the direction of multiple fundraising platforms managing a portfolio exceeding $47.3 million.
  • Consulted for 12 regional offices, delivering consistent customer service, problem-solving, training, and direct operational support to enhance event success and donor engagement.
  • Cultivated and maintained high-value relationships with Fortune 1000 corporate partners, driving partnership development, revenue growth, and new corporate engagement. Achieved a 17% revenue increase in one year, contributing to $1.6M statewide and $18.1M nationally.
  • Led sponsorship program management for multiple fundraising platforms, overseeing sponsorship package development, corporate leadership engagement, sponsor retention, and recruitment of new partners. These efforts generated over $3M annually.
  • Led strategic planning for large-scale fundraising events, enhancing community engagement and participation.
  • Coordinated logistics for events, ensuring seamless execution and adherence to timelines and budgets.
  • Developed and implemented marketing strategies to promote events, increasing visibility and attendance.

Relay For Life Manager - Illinois Division Business Unit

American Cancer Society
09.2006 - 09.2011
  • Directed fundraising initiatives, increasing donor engagement through targeted campaigns and community outreach programs.
  • Oversaw volunteer recruitment and training, enhancing team effectiveness and retention rates.
  • Implemented strategic partnerships with local organizations to expand service reach and resource availability.
  • Analyzed program performance metrics, driving improvements in service delivery and impact assessment.
  • Developed comprehensive operational plans aligning organizational goals with community needs, ensuring mission-driven outcomes.

Income Development Manager

American Cancer Society
08.2005 - 09.2006
  • Led cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategic initiatives for cancer prevention and research funding.
  • Oversaw project management processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and stakeholder expectations.
  • Directed comprehensive fundraising campaigns, enhancing donor engagement and maximizing contributions for cancer programs.
  • Mentored and trained team members, fostering professional growth and enhancing overall team performance.
  • Established best practices for resource allocation, optimizing operational efficiency across multiple projects.
  • Analyzed program effectiveness using data-driven insights, driving continuous improvement in service delivery models.

Corporate Relations Manager

American Cancer Society
08.2004 - 08.2005
  • Served as primary relationship manager for major regional employers and Illinois Priority Accounts, developing and renewing corporate partnerships at regional, divisional, and national levels.
  • Strategically cultivated partnerships with Fortune 1000 companies to advance ACS health initiatives and meet divisional revenue goals for 2015.
  • Managed an annual giving portfolio of $1M–$1.5M, and grew a cause-related marketing portfolio by $100K.
  • Drove revenue growth through payroll deduction programs, corporate sponsorships, cause-related marketing, and employee engagement initiatives including Relay For Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.
  • Recruited and engaged volunteer leaders to support health initiatives and fundraising targets, collaborating closely with executive-level workplace leaders.
  • Delivered compelling presentations and proposals to senior management and corporate executives, securing partnerships and funding to support ACS’s mission.

Income Development Representative

American Cancer Society
01.2004 - 08.2004
  • Executed the Division’s Income Development strategic plan to drive fundraising growth across multiple community Relay For Life events, achieving all income goals for 5 events.
  • Coordinated logistics including sponsorships, volunteer partnerships, media relations, and event management to ensure seamless execution and strong community engagement.
  • Identified and cultivated key relationships with community members, businesses, and organizations to expand volunteer and donor networks.
  • Recruited, trained, and led volunteers, building sustainable structures for ongoing fundraising success.
  • Managed CRM strategies and maintained accurate records to support data-driven decision-making and ensure compliance with reporting requirements.
  • Actively promoted the American Cancer Society’s mission within the region, strengthening visibility and support.

Player Development Executive

Harrah’s Entertainment
01.1997 - 01.2004
  • Managed a client portfolio of 1,000+ high-value VIP clients across the U.S., with $25M+ revenue potential.
  • Delivered exceptional customer service, ensuring a memorable gaming experience for all patrons.
  • Monitored gaming operations, maintaining compliance with regulatory standards and internal policies.
  • Trained and mentored new team members on operational procedures and customer engagement techniques.
  • Resolved guest inquiries and concerns promptly, fostering positive relationships and repeat business.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Journalism And Mass Communication

University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL
01-1993

Skills

  • Effective strategic planning
  • Collaborative team leadership
  • Cultural change facilitation
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Integrated marketing and development

Timeline

National Senior Director, Special Events

Arthritis Foundation
01.2022 - 06.2025

Development Director

DuPage Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity Chicago South Suburbs
09.2018 - 12.2021

Sr. Director, Donor Development, Volunteerism, Marketing, and Logistics

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
03.2018 - 08.2018

Senior Director, Revenue - Light The Night, Volunteerism, Marketing, and Logistics

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
03.2018 - 08.2018

Consultant

Plenty Consulting
03.2016 - 11.2016

Director, National Volunteer Programs

American Brain Tumor Association
08.2014 - 02.2016

National Trainer, Distinguished Events and Corporate

American Cancer Society
10.2013 - 08.2014

Special Events Manager - Partnerships & Experience

American Cancer Society
09.2011 - 10.2013

Relay For Life Manager - Illinois Division Business Unit

American Cancer Society
09.2006 - 09.2011

Income Development Manager

American Cancer Society
08.2005 - 09.2006

Corporate Relations Manager

American Cancer Society
08.2004 - 08.2005

Income Development Representative

American Cancer Society
01.2004 - 08.2004

Player Development Executive

Harrah’s Entertainment
01.1997 - 01.2004

Bachelor of Arts - Journalism And Mass Communication

University of St. Francis

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