It’s springtime, and in keeping with a season of growth and renewal, we are celebrating some exciting changes at the Chicago Public Library Foundation!
After nearly 11 years, Director of Major Gifts Nancy Lynn will be retiring from the Foundation in late May. Nancy is on to a beautiful new phase of life, where she plans to garden, travel, spend time with grandchildren, and—of course—read. According to President & CEO Rhona Frazin, “Over more than 10 years at the Foundation, Nancy has helped to build our Sandburg and Legacy Society individual giving programs, and been the face of the Foundation at so many of our wonderful events and special initiatives. Her contributions to the Foundation and the Library are immensely appreciated by us all.”
Director of Individual & Major Gifts
Veronica Brown has been promoted to Director of Individual & Major Gifts. Previously the Foundation’s Director of Individual Giving & Communications, Veronica has doubled the number of individual donors, launched and leads the CPLF JuniorBboard and Society through record setting fundraising, built our social media presence, oversaw the 2016 rebranding effort, and hosts the consistently sold out Night in the Stacks event among other achievements. In her new role, she will work with the Foundation team to plan and execute a comprehensive major gifts program. Veronica brings with her 17 years of fundraising experience, which began in Los Angeles at the Children’s Museum of Los Angeles and the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation. Veronica has a B.A. in International Relations and Business Administration from the University of Southern California and an M.A. in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco.
And a big welcome to our two new staff:
Development Associate
Rachael Everson is our new Development Associate. She recently moved from Kentucky, where she completed a developmentapprenticeship with the Professional Training Company at Actors Theatre of Louisville. As Development Apprentice, she gained campaign experience and worked closely alongside the staff, board, and other stakeholders to cultivate and steward donors. Previous to Actors Theatre, Rachael was the Events & Development Coordinator at The Center for Wooden Boats (CWB), a nonprofit maritime heritage museum in Seattle. There, she planned and executed the annual auction and developed a successful strategic plan for CWB’s participation in GiveBIG, a community crowdfunding campaign. Rachael is originally from Seattle, has volunteered in India as a teaching artist, and graduated from Western Washington University with a double B.A. in English and Theater.
Director of Individual & Major Gifts
Audrey Peiper joins the Foundation team as Director of Individual & Major Gifts where she will plan and execute a comprehensive major gifts program. She joins the Chicago Public Library Foundation with more than 13 years of experience in Chicago’s cultural community. Most recently, she helmed individual and major giving efforts at the Chicago Humanities Festival, in addition to contributing to audience development and strategic planning. Before that, she held positions at Brookfield Zoo and the Art Institute of Chicago. Audrey earned her M.A. in Arts Administration from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and received her B.A. in Art History and English Literature from Washington University in St. Louis.
