05/27/2021 HopeWell announces hiring of Chief Development Officer

HopeWell is excited to announce that Lisa Rowan-Gillis will join the organization as Chief Development Officer! 

Rowan-Gillis brings 30 years in nonprofit development, donor engagement, and community philanthropic initiatives. Most recently, she served as Chief Development Officer for United Way of Mass Bay and Merrimack Valley, where she led fundraising initiatives totaling an annual average of $30 million, including workplace giving, major gifts, planned giving, and annual giving.

“Lisa is a proven leader who has employed strategic vision, creativity, and innovation in her development work,” said Shaheer Mustafa, President and CEO of HopeWell. “She will be central to HopeWell’s efforts to steward community partnerships and raise the resources necessary to build out new and existing community-integrated programs and supports that address the needs of foster youth and people living with disabilities at varying life stages.”

Priorities for HopeWell’s Chief Development Officer include creating and implementing a development and engagement strategy that is responsive to the fast-moving landscape of social impact giving and inclusive of donors from all giving levels and ages.

“I’m thrilled to join HopeWell to ensure that its visionary programming for youth in foster care, those aging out of the foster care system, and individuals living with disabilities is fully resourced and supported,” said Rowan-Gillis.

Prior to the United Way, Rowan-Gillis was Executive Director of Advancement Marketing & Communications at Boston College where she supported all fundraising efforts including the $1.5 billion “Light the World” campaign. Lisa also served as Vice President for Development and Communications at The Home for Little Wanderers, where she led a capital campaign to build a new school and residences for children in The Home’s care.

Rowan-Gillis holds a Master of Social Work degree and a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Boston College.