“The measure of a country’s greatness is its ability to retain compassion in times of crisis.”

—Thurgood Marshall

Throughout history, when our most vulnerable citizens faced times of uncertainty and overwhelming despair, nonprofit institutions and advocacy groups have courageously fought on their behalf and provided them with hope. Solmonese Search Partners is collaborating with three organizations—the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF), Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) and Brookview House—that have alleviated the suffering and positively transformed the lives of individuals who exist on the margins of society.

LDF, founded by Thurgood Marshall, is the nation’s leading legal organization fighting for civil rights. MVCS provides a broad range of services to address domestic violence and substance use disorders; delivers disability services and mental health care; and meets the needs of veterans, seniors, children and families. Brookview House is a Black and Latinx-led organization whose mission is to help at-risk families break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. These organizations may differ in their approach and the initiatives they undertake; however, they share a fervent desire to build strong communities, improve the well-being of the people they serve, and create a more just society.

In each newsletter, I highlight someone who has partnered with me on a search, collaborated with me on a project, or provided me with helpful advice. In this issue, I introduce Lori Smith Britton, who offered me guidance and direction when I launched my firm and who engaged me to assist Brookview House in its search for a director of advancement. She has been a treasured friend and valued colleague for many years. I am honored to partner with her and this esteemed organization.

Thank you, as always, for your support. — John

OPEN SEARCHES

Legal Defense Fund

Legal Defense Fund has retained Solmonese Search Partners to conduct three development searches. These key roles become available at a crucial time in the nation's history as LDF confronts escalating threats to civil rights. As America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice under the leadership of president Janai Nelson, LDF uses the power of law, narrative, research, and people to defend and advance the full dignity and citizenship of Black people in America.

Development Roles Available

• Chief Development Officer

• Director of Major Gifts (West Coast)

• Associate Director, Major Gifts

The Lawrenceville School

The Lawrenceville School seeks an experienced leader to oversee the school’s principal and major gift fundraising efforts. The position becomes available following the appointment of Greta Morgan as chief advancement officer and the successful completion of an historic comprehensive campaign that raised more private philanthropic support than any other independent school.  It also coincides with the launch of a strategic plan focused on creating a stronger, more inclusive community, and enhancing the well-being of all members of the school. 

Position Available

• Director of Principal and Major Gifts

Martha’s Vineyard Community Services

SSP is pleased to be leading the search for the next chief advancement officer (CAO) at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, a non-profit social services agency that provides a comprehensive array of support for citizens of all ages and backgrounds on the island.  Under the leadership of newly-appointed CEO Dean Teague, the CAO will lead development and communications efforts at a pivotal time in MVCS’s history, following its official designation as a Community Behavioral Health Center by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and as it heads toward completion of its multi-year Space to THRIVE Capital Campaign.   

Position Available

• Chief Advancement Officer

Brookview House

Solmonese Search Partners is advising Brookview House on its search for a director of advancement (DOA).  Lori Smith Britton and Deborah Collins, CEO of the organization, will lead the effort.  Brookview seeks an energetic, experienced, and collaborative team player to oversee development and outreach efforts.  The next DOA will be able to leverage Brookview’s success securing generous philanthropic support from public and private funders to provide greater sustainability to the organization and realize its goal to help families have access to safe, stable and nurturing homes. 

Position Available

• Director of Advancement

Additional information on all open searches available here.

CLOSED SEARCHES

Boston University

Bobbi Woldt, assistant dean for development at the Boston University (BU) Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, recently hired Sandy Potter to serve as a major gift officer to advance the college’s efforts among alumni, friends, and parents. Potter joins BU Wheelock from the Carroll School, an independent school for students with language-based learning differences, where she served as director of leadership giving. She joined the school in 2016 when she was recruited to run the annual giving program.  Potter went on to serve as assistant director of the school’s historic capital campaign, which exceeded its goal of $32M, and, later, as associate director of donor engagement.  

Potter began her development career in 1993 when she assumed a role with the American Cancer Society’s Boston Regional Center.  Six years later, she transitioned to the United Way of Massachusetts Bay (UW) where she served as senior director of fundraising. Potter joined UW at a time when the organization began to focus on individual donor engagement with strategic events in addition to workplace campaigns. During her tenure with UW, she recruited, managed, and trained executives from the real estate and financial services industries as fundraising volunteers and solicited them for financial support.

Potter earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College.

National Endowment for Financial Education

Billy J. Hensley, National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) president and chief executive officer, has selected Nathan (Nate) Byford as vice president, organizational effectiveness and operations. Byford joined NEFE effective March 17th, 2025. He reports to Hensley and serves as a valued member of the executive leadership team..

Byford brings a wealth of experience in stewarding operational excellence through a focus on employee engagement, change management, organizational development, and cultural stewardship. His proven track record in driving cross-functional strategies that improve workforce engagement, optimize performance, and align business objectives with regulatory standards will be invaluable to NEFE.

Most recently, Byford served as vice president for people operations at the Zuri Group, a consulting firm providing strategic and technical fundraising services to nonprofit organizations. At Zuri, he spearheaded the full human resources and organizational development portfolio, as well as compliance, legal and contracts. Prior to his role at Zuri, Byford served as director of people operations at the University of Colorado. His earlier experience includes positions at the Employers Council, OpenWorld Learning, and Goal Academy. Byford was also president of Hyperion Strategies, an organizational effectiveness consultancy he founded.

Byford earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado and a Juris Doctor from the University of Denver.

Liz Vago co-led this search with Solmonese Search Partners.

Last August, Sarah Pearson, vice president for advancement for Swarthmore College, engaged Solmonese Search Partners to help her fill some key positions on her team. The firm recruited Rayannin Reese to serve as associate director, individual giving, and Pigeon Graham to serve as associate director, family and parent philanthropy.  They report to Josie Burri, associate vice president for capital giving and campaigns. Also recruited were Julia Boerth and Catherine Huang, who were named associate directors, gift planning.  They are members of the team led by Renée Atkinson, associate vice president for gift planning.
Read detailed background on all the Swarthmore hires here.

PARTNERS

My connection to Lori Smith Britton goes back many years to when she was named a CASE District I Fellow, and I served as her mentor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During that time, I gained more knowledge from her than she did from me, an imbalance that continues to this day. Over the years, we have stayed in touch and sought advice from one another.

Recently, Lori engaged me to help one of her clients, Brookview House, recruit a director of advancement. The organization is one of many social service agencies that she counts as clients and that serves individuals who face challenges unimaginable to many of us. The guidance she provides and the money she secures enable her clients to overcome the obstacles they face, realize the ambitious goals they set for themselves, and provide hope to the people they serve.

Lori’s earlier career provided her with the training, skills and experience she utilizes as a consultant. Following her internship at MIT, she held roles at her alma mater, the Boston Latin School, the Museum of African American History, and the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

At each of these esteemed organizations, she was instrumental in helping them achieve aspirational fundraising goals.

Lori launched her firm, Community Resource Consulting, in 2007 with the goal of advancing the mission of cultural, educational, and social service institutions that aim to improve the human condition. As counsel, coach, and interim leader, she helps organizations improve their fundraising operations, undertake strategic planning initiatives, and recruit and train board leadership. Clients include The Epiphany School, where she helped complete a $25 million campaign; Urban Farming Institute; City Strings United; WriteBoston; and the Social Innovation Forum.

Lori’s community engagement is reflected in her volunteer commitments. She has served on the boards of Freedom House, Boston Latin School Association, Commonwealth Kitchen, and ACCESS. Lori currently serves as director of the Women’s Foundation of Boston. In addition, she is a member of the Boston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.—an international public service organization.

Lori is an alumna of Syracuse University, where she earned a dual bachelor’s degree in English and Broadcast Journalism, and Boston University, where she received a master’s degree in urban affairs.