The Power of Partnership:
Optimizing the CEO–CDO–Board Member Relationship for Successful Fundraising
Optimizing the CEO–CDO–Board Member Relationship for Successful Fundraising
Panelists
 Alan J. Kelly Chief Development Officer & VP for Development and Alumni Affairs Hofstra University |
As Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs since 2005, Alan Kelly is responsible for all aspects of University fundraising, development and alumni involvement at Hofstra University. He is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). Mr. Kelly was previously employed by a national fundraising firm, where he provided services to a number of high profile not-for-profit organizations. In the course of his career, Mr. Kelly has provided professional counsel to dozens of clients in the areas of higher education, and religious and health organizations, raising more than $650 million. He has conducted capital campaigns, major gift solicitation programs, cultivation events and leadership training. Most recently he coordinated a successful $225 million capital and endowment campaign for Hofstra University which raised more than $232 million. Mr. Kelly is a Redington Scholarship graduate of the University of Scranton with a degree in History and minors in English and Theology. He is the Chair of the Finance Council and Trustee for Our Lady of Peace Parish, serves on the President’s Council of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Long Island, is a Trustee of the Education Corporation of the Diocese of Rockville Center and is a Board Member of Food Allergy Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT). Born in Dublin, Ireland, Alan currently lives in Lynbrook, NY with his wife Susan and their four daughters. |
 Judge Gail Prudenti Dean and Executive Director of the Center for Children, Families and the Law Hofstra Law |
On September 1, 2015, the Honorable Gail Prudenti was named Executive Director of the Center for Children, Families and the Law at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. On May 1, 2017, she was named Dean of Hofstra Law.
Prior to her current position at Hofstra Law, Judge Prudenti distinguished herself as a well-respected jurist and hands-on administrator throughout a judicial career that lasted more than two decades. She started her career with the New York State Supreme Court, and went on to serve in many positions including District Administrative Judge, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division for the Second Judicial Department, and most recently as Chief Administrative Judge. She earned her law degree from the University of Aberdeen, in Scotland, which also awarded her an honorary Doctorate of Laws in 2004 and an honorary appointment as Professor in the School of Law. She graduated from Marymount College of Fordham University with honors. Her legal writings are extensive. Hundreds of Judge Prudenti’s decisions have been published, and she has contributed articles to many publications, such as New York Law Journal, Newsday, The Suffolk Lawyer and The Jurist. She has also published handbooks for guardians ad litem and has written extensively on guardianship proceedings. Additionally, Judge Prudenti has been a frequent lecturer throughout Suffolk County, Long Island, and the state, appearing at seminars and other functions sponsored by the Suffolk Academy of Law, the New York State Bar Association, the New York State Surrogate’s Association, the Office of Court Administration, Stony Brook University, Touro Law Center, the Diocese of Rockville Centre, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, to name a few. The judge lives with her husband and fellow lawyer and former Suffolk County Attorney, Robert J. Cimino, in the Village of Bellport, Long Island, New York. |
 John D. Kemp President and CEO The Viscardi Center |
In February 2011, John D. Kemp, Esq. became only the fourth President & CEO of The Viscardi Center a non-profit organization providing a life span of services that educate, employ and empower people with disabilities. A renowned, sought-after global speaker, he is widely respected for his many achievements, both in the corporate and non-profit worlds. As a person with a disability who uses four prostheses, he inspires others to achieve the impossible through knowledge, experience, vision, personality, and persistence. Mr. Kemp graduated from Georgetown University in 1971 and Washburn University School of Law in 1974. He has received two Honorary Doctorate degrees, the first an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Washburn University School of Law in May 2003, and the second, on May 5, 2018, an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Connecticut, while serving as the Graduate School Commencement Speaker. In March 2006, Mr. Kemp received the Henry B. Betts Award, widely regarded as America's highest honor for disability leadership and service. With more than 50 years of direct experience in the disability movement, Mr. Kemp has partnered with, worked for and served as Board Member/Chair or CEO of some of the leading disability and nonprofit organizations. In 1995, Mr. Kemp co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities with Paul G. Hearne. In 2001, he became a partner in the Washington, DC Law Firm of Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville, P.C., where he developed an active federal legislative and lobbying practice. He co-authored Reflections From A Different Journey in 2004 with Dr. Stanley Klein, and the “Career and Workforce Development in the Arts for Youth with Disabilities” chapter of Handbook of Arts Education and Special Education Policy, Research, and Practices in 2018. In December 2014, Mr. Kemp received the Dole Leadership Prize at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas—the first disability leader to receive the distinction and personally selected by former U.S. Senator Robert Dole. He joined a prestigious group of international recipients including Nelson Mandela and former U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and William J. Clinton. As an alumnus, he received a 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from Washburn University School of Law. He is also the Board Chair of Viscardi’s Project Accessible Oral Health, a global public-private partnership that brings together people with disabilities, the dental and medical communities, policymakers, industry members, educators, caregivers, and other stakeholders in pursuit of improved overall health through greater oral health awareness, education and access for the disability community. Mr. Kemp, and his wife Sameta, reside on Long Island. |
 Sherry Friedman Chief Development Officer Catholic Health Services of Long Island |
Sherry Friedman is Chief Development Officer of Catholic Health Services of Long Island. In this role, she works closely with the Chief Administrative Officers and development executives of CHS’s six hospitals to further develop and enhance fundraising efforts. Friedman joined CHS in 2004 as Vice President for Development and Public Affairs at St. Francis Hospital. During that time she executed the largest capital campaign in the history of St. Francis with more than $70 million raised. To date, she has raised more than $150 million in total for the St. Francis Hospital Foundation. Sherry meets with her hospital development executives on a regular basis and she maintains her office at St. Francis Hospital. Prior to coming to CHS, she held a variety of key fundraising positions at Cornell University, Weill Medical College, Yeshiva University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Molloy College. She was also Assistant Dean for Hofstra University School of Law and Director of Graduate Admissions for Pace University, Lubin School of Business. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Pace University and her master’s degree in industrial relations from Pace University, Lubin School of Business. Friedman is a member of the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Counsel for the Advancement and Support of Education, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Association for Healthcare Philanthropy and Women in Development President’s Council. She was selected by AFP to receive the Outstanding Fundraising Executive Award for 2011. Friedman lives in Hewlett with her husband, Stewart. |
 MODERATOR: Thomas Kissane Principal & Managing Director CCS Fundraising |
Tom Kissane is fortunate to have spent his 30-year professional fundraising career exclusively with CCS. During that time, he has partnered with hundreds of extraordinary organizations in designing, implementing, and providing strategic oversight to over 1,000 fundraising initiatives. The programs for which Tom has provided counsel have raised more than $3 billion on cumulative goals of $2.5 billion. Tom’s areas of expertise include feasibility and planning studies, landscape analysis, development audits, philanthropic assessment programs, major capital campaigns, annual giving efforts, endowment fundraising, and board recruitment. He focuses on major gift identification and solicitation, campaign management, and client relations. Tom currently serves on the Board of Trustees for St. Mary’s Children’s Healthcare System in Bayside as well as the De La Salle School in Freeport, and also serves on the Editorial Review Board of Giving USA. Previously, Tom served on the Boards of Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy and Saint Francis College. He resides in Douglaston, Queens with his wife Shalini and daughters Leela and Priya. |
