Catherine brings nearly 20 years of experience in fundraising, project management, and development communications. She has worked as a consultant with ARG since 2024, advising nonprofit, education, and cultural organizations on campaign positioning, donor engagement, and advancement strategy. During this time, she has supported clients including the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Communities In Schools of Chicago, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Driehaus Museum, and the Math Cultural Center of Chicago, helping strengthen philanthropic growth plans, messaging and campaign readiness. 

Previously, Catherine led strategic communications for Development and Alumni Relations at Columbia College Chicago, where she directed integrated communications for six years. She drove multichannel donor engagement strategies, advanced a milestone alumni giving campaign, and relaunched the institution’s gala, while building a stronger, donor-centered digital presence and cross-campus campaign alignment. 

She began her fundraising career at the Art Institute of Chicago, managing corporate and foundation partnerships and contributing to development efforts tied to a landmark capital campaign that raised more than $400 million. She later advanced corporate partnership and sponsorship strategy at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, expanding institutional support and brand-aligned funding relationships. 

As Annual Fund Director at Chicago Waldorf School, Catherine exceeded annual giving goals and helped lead strategy and communications for a $6 million capital campaign to acquire a new campus. She oversaw fundraising and marketing communications, partnered closely with campaign counsel, and supported board leadership engagement throughout the initiative. 

Catherine holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Saint Mary’s College and is known for translating campaign vision into clear strategy, compelling messaging, and measurable fundraising results. 

Contact Me:
catherine@alexanderrossgroup.net
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