Igniting Your Career
Tom Brush, CEO, Advancement Designs; Alumni Relations/Engagement Expert: Matthew Colson, Executive Director, Alumni Relations - Stony Brook University; Broad Outreach/Annual Giving Expert: Jenn Bradley, Director of Reunions, Mercersburg Academy Individual Giving/Major; Gifts Expert: Heather Culp, Sr. Director of Development, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Tom Brush
Tom Brush is a consultant/coach who helps nonprofit leaders and organizations who are overwhelmed by expectations, frustrated by volunteers, and struggling to prioritize their responsibilities. He helps them find clarity of purpose, focus on the key priorities, and a clear path to help them achieve their goals.
After spending nearly 25 years working in all areas of advancement, Tom understands the
challenges nonprofit professional face and helps design strategies to overcome them.
In that time, he worked at four different higher education institutions, built and managed annual fundraising appeals that have increased giving; developed engagement and communications plans that increased participation; identified, cultivated, solicited and steward major gift prospects for gifts up to $250,000; and created and directed events that increased net revenue.
As the founder of Advancement Designs, Tom has supported nonprofits of all sizes and has strong connections in the higher education advancement industry. Twice he has been on the planning committee of the CASE District II annual conference and has regularly presented at conferences on a variety of topics. He is a graduate of Hamilton College, with an MBA from Saint Leo's University.