Last week I had the pleasure of welcoming two new colleagues into the Helen Brown Group.  The fundraising world being as small as it is, you never know when you’re going to have the opportunity to work with someone again, and it’s certainly true for me with both Andrea Marks and Maureen Kilcommins.

I first worked with Andrea Marks ten years ago at Northeastern University when she was just starting out in prospect research.  Bilingual and a cum laude graduate of Boston University in international relations, Andrea was quick to understand the value of research in fundraising and its global possibilities.  Soon graduate school called her, and after receiving an MBA degree specializing in international business and marketing, Andrea worked for three multi-nationals and an NGO managing their payrolls.  I’m delighted that we were able to entice Andrea back into prospect research, and happy to have her international research and language skills.

Maureen Kilcommins and I have worked together for the last ten years in support of the North American Foundation for the University of Manchester (NAFUM), England.  Previously Maureen worked as director of prospect research and management for Bentley University and as director of annual and special gifts for UC-Santa Cruz and associate director of the Harvard Law School Fund.  Maureen’s experience in research, front-line fundraising and operations brings a triumvirate of value for our clients looking for advice in those areas.  Maureen will continue in her role as North American administrator for both NAFUM and Sightsavers and will work with HBG on a part-time basis.

Welcome Andrea and Maureen!