Aileen Gabbey

It has been my honor to lead nonprofits for over 25 years and work with incredible people devoted to serving others. Servant leadership is at the heart of my work. Below are some highlights from my career that have taught me so much about helping others.

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Aileen Gabbey Productive Nonprofits

I am pleased to provide support to nonprofits of all sizes in all stages of development. Working together with the Board and Staff, partnerships and processes will increase productivity in serving the mission overall. I've had the pleasure to work with: Brightside Child and Family Advocacy / CASA; The Front Porch / Interagency Oversight Group; The Savannah Tree Foundation; Performance Initiatives; Hospice Savannah; Tharros Place; EmployAbility; Loop It Up; Receivables Management Association International; The Skidaway Abigails; The Creative Coast; Emmaus House; Healthy Savannah; Housing Savannah; NFP CEO Roundtable Collaboration; Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Coastal Georgia; The Georgia Center for Nonprofits; Goodwill Southeast Georgia; First Step Staffing.

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Executive Director for Susan G. Komen Coastal Georgia

Together with the Board of Directors, we built a strong governance process including committee structure for Board development, fund development, and finance. The Board and I created our elevator pitch and key messages and regularly updated our working strategic plan. Our fundraising grew during my tenure thanks to our collaborative efforts including 100% Board and Staff giving and diversifying our revenue sources, including our first Annual Fund campaign. Our mission services grew over this time, as well, providing more services for women in need. I was pleased to serve on the Affiliate Leadership Council, as well.

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Community Involvement in the Coastal Empire 

Upon moving to Savannah, I joined the United Way of the Coastal Empire as a Community Investment Volunteer. I currently volunteer for UWCE as a presenter to its Community Investments Program, BIPOC Leadership Symposium, Gulfstream Series, Lunch & Learn Series, and Young Leaders. I have also volunteered for SCORE Savannah on its nonprofit team as a Subject Matter Expert. Along with my friend and colleague Michael Messer of Discerning Strategies, I co-host Executive Director Connections quarterly for local leaders to come together, meet, chat, and potentially partner together. I am a proud graduate of the Leadership Savannah Class of 2023 and am serving on the Board of Directors for Keepers of the Flame.

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Executive Director for The Maryland SPCA 

I was blessed with an incredible Board and Staff all working together to help both animals and people. I felt great joy being able to lead such significant change and growth. We worked together as a team and with our partner organizations to increase pet lives saved. The Maryland SPCA became no-kill - going from 40% saved to over 90%. I invited our fellow animal groups to form the Baltimore Animal Welfare Alliance and served as its chair - I am thrilled that this partnership still not only is going strong but continues to add programs. The Maryland SPCA's amazing team that I had the privilege to lead brought us a new adoption center following our capital campaign during the 2009/10 recession; a new spay/neuter clinic for the community; a wellness clinic for pets in need; and an innovative off-site adoption center. Our volunteer team grew from 50 individuals to over 1,000. Our fundraising grew from no records to over $2.5 million. Our media coverage included a presence on all stations. Prior to the ED role, I led the volunteer and events departments, growing each as our organization grew. Personally, I was blessed to not only have hired a team of amazing directors who balanced our needs and styles, I also adopted our beloved pets.

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Community Involvement in Maryland

In addition to chairing the Baltimore Animal Welfare Alliance, I chaired the Baltimore Animal Control Advisory Committee and served on the Anti-Animal Abuse Task Force and Commission. I am a graduate of The Leadership program of the Greater Baltimore Committee. I also served on: The National Federation of Humane Societies Board, the Humane Society of the US Companion Animal Advisory Council, the Maryland Spay/Neuter Task Force, and the Maryland Women's Business Council.

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I am also a proud graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY.