Gillian Hayden

I’m a collaborative development professional with deep experience closing gifts, building trust with donors, and creating the internal alignment needed to move fundraising forward. I bring a steady, relationship‑centered approach to my work, combining strong prospect research skills with the ability to translate data into clear next steps. I’m skilled at coordinating across teams so everyone has the information and confidence they need to support a gift, and I’m comfortable guiding conversations that bring people to consensus.

My focus is always on strengthening relationships, supporting colleagues, and ensuring donors feel valued and connected to the mission.

I am an experienced development professional with deep expertise in prospect research, pipeline management, and data‑driven fundraising operations. I excel at identifying and qualifying prospective donors, building strategic portfolios, and translating giving history and engagement patterns into clear cultivation and solicitation strategies. My background includes leading CRM migrations, optimizing Raiser’s Edge for accuracy and efficiency, and maintaining rigorous data standards that strengthen reporting, forecasting, and decision making.

Across multiple organizations, I have managed comprehensive fundraising programs, increased revenue through expanded grant seeking and stewardship, and supported leadership with detailed analyses, briefings, and portfolio insights. I work collaboratively across departments—particularly with Finance, Communications, and Executive leadership—to ensure alignment, accurate gift processing, and smooth information flow. I bring a strong track record of closing gifts, building donor and community relationships, and fostering consensus among teams and stakeholders.

My approach blends operational precision with relationship‑centered strategy, ensuring sustainable growth and a reliable fundraising infrastructure.

I hold a Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in Nonprofit Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where I gained formal training in organizational management, policy, and the operational systems that support mission‑driven work. I also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Conservation from Florida State University, which strengthened my research skills, attention to detail, and ability to analyze complex information. Together, these degrees give me a strong foundation for data‑driven development work and cross‑team collaboration in a healthcare and research environment.