Kate Sheehan

Executive Associate

With almost 40 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Kate Sheehan is a seasoned fundraising and institutional advancement expert, with almost half her career spent at Northwestern University, where she rose through the ranks to serve as Director of Principal Gifts, followed by seven years as Senior Director of Development, Presidential Activities, supporting the university President in all fundraising work and serving as the liaison between the president’s office and the 300-member Alumni Relations and Development department.

Kate’s experience also includes five years as the Vice President, Principal Gifts for the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She has served in senior roles with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, The Art Institute of Boston, and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, among others.

Kate graduated from Indiana University/Bloomington with a BA in English. She holds certificates from University of Chicago and Advancement Resources and is the 2008 recipient of the Garfield Award (Northwestern University).

Area of Expertise: Kate’s predominant expertise is in Major and Principal Gifts. Kate also has extensive experience in Fundraising Campaigns and Strategic Planning, Board Training, Management and Governance, Planned and Legacy Gifts, Project Management, and Institutional Advocacy.

Experience: Education, Arts & Culture, International Development

Fundraising Must Have: A donor-centric mindset.