Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Publications
Timeline
Generic

Virginia Goolkasian

Chelmsford

Summary

Fundraising professional with extensive experience at Huntington's Disease Society of America, specializing in donor cultivation and event planning. Demonstrated success in budget management and public speaking, consistently surpassing annual budget goals. Enhanced community engagement and awareness for Huntington's disease through strategic partnerships and innovative fundraising initiatives.

Overview

39
39
years of professional experience

Work History

Northeast Development Officer

Huntington's Disease Society of America
07.2004 - Current
  • Identify, solicit, and cultivate individual and corporate donors for fundraising events and write annual regional appeal.
  • Develop, organize, and implement annual fundraising events (including galas, walk-a-thons, hoop-a-thons, & golf outings).
  • Collaborate with chapter social workers/volunteer boards in planning and implementation for annual chapter education events geared to family and patient caregiver audiences.
  • Develop and maintain professional partnerships with the area Center of Excellence clinic staff, pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
  • Help identify appropriate family caregivers and patients to advocate at the state house on legislation and to share their story to area biotech and pharmaceutical companies, rotary/civic clubs, and higher education healthcare students.
  • Help chapter social workers locate, support, and educate healthcare resources and providers such as long-term care facilities and neurologists serving the Huntington's disease population.
  • Responsible for development and adherence to a regional budget.
  • Presentation to corporations, legislatures, civic/community organizations, and higher education classrooms to increase awareness of Huntington's disease, and to solicit new donors/volunteers.
  • Oversee chapters and affiliates volunteers in the Northeast, including volunteer recruitment, training, guidance, and support, to help chapters reach budgeted goals and fulfill and adhere to the organization mission and standards in accordance with the strategic plan.
  • Collaborate with chapter social workers determining need for support groups in various geographic areas and hire/supervise support group facilitators.
  • Exceeded and grew annual budget goals each year 90% of the time.
  • Chapters and affiliates achieved chapter or affiliate of the year multiple times in my region.
  • Achieved getting state proclamations to recognize HD Awareness month in several states.
  • Engaged national sports commentator and author Jackie MacMullan as spokesperson for HDSA.
  • Increased grant funds from Kohl's Cares from $5,000 to $30,000 annually.

Marketing Director

SunBridge of Lowell
05.1994 - 07.2004
  • Company Overview: A neuro-rehabilitation facility
  • Marketing calls to area hospitals, assisted living facilities, and group homes for referrals nationally.
  • Onsite screening of patients referred to neuro-rehabilitation facility.
  • Developed 1,3, and 6-hour CEU programs for social workers and nurses on Huntington's disease.
  • Presented trainings to nursing home staff on caring for a resident with Huntington's disease.
  • Led weekly marketing meeting to discuss facility census growth, competition, and opportunities.
  • Collaborated in the authoring of care plans for out of state Medicaid offices for new referrals to neuro-rehabilitation program.
  • Facilitated monthly support group for patients with Huntington's disease and for caregivers.
  • Attended national conferences as an exhibitor and a speaker.
  • A neuro-rehabilitation facility
  • Opened referral base for neuro-rehab patients from five new states.
  • Opened new referral base with VA Hospital with a contract for veterans with specific neurological diseases.
  • Increased networking opportunities with area discharge planners/case managers by developing and coordinated a Lunch and Learn session followed by a tour of our neuro-rehab program.
  • Increased face-to-face opportunities for SunBridge nurse liaisons with key decision makers for referrals by coordinating and presenting a 1 - hour CEU Lunch and Learn program in acute care settings to case management staff.

Director of Social Services

Neville Manor Nursing Home
Cambridge
04.1986 - 05.1994
  • Company Overview: 186 Bed Nursing Home
  • Responsible for ensuring that nursing home residents rights were adhered to by staff.
  • Liaison between residents, their family, and nursing home staff.
  • Responsible for preadmission screening, admission paperwork, and quarterly documentation in compliance with Department of Public Health.
  • Managed 43 bed unit and supervised two social workers.
  • 186 Bed Nursing Home
  • 1993 Recipient of 'Innovation of the Year' Award from Mass Association of Homes for the Aging.
  • Hosted and chaired monthly Cambridge/Somerville long-term care social worker meetings.

Education

MS - Communications in Healthcare Management

Simmons College
01.1994

BA - Psychology

UMASS Boston
01.1983

Skills

  • Microsoft Office applications
  • Virtual communication skills
  • Peer-to-peer donation platform
  • Donor drive
  • Donor view
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Public speaking skills
  • Fundraising strategy
  • Donor cultivation
  • Event planning
  • Budget management
  • Partnership development
  • Marketing outreach

Websites

Publications

  • Delving into Huntington's Disease, U.S.A Today Magazine, 09/01/01
  • Helping People with Huntington's Disease, Provide Magazine/American Health Care Association, 08/01/00
  • Finding a Long Term Care Facility for Huntington's Disease, Fall 2000, Co-authored pamphlet

Timeline

Northeast Development Officer

Huntington's Disease Society of America
07.2004 - Current

Marketing Director

SunBridge of Lowell
05.1994 - 07.2004

Director of Social Services

Neville Manor Nursing Home
04.1986 - 05.1994

MS - Communications in Healthcare Management

Simmons College

BA - Psychology

UMASS Boston

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Virginia Goolkasian