Liz Lee
Liz Lee is an award-winning advancement leader and educator with over 15 years of experience in education, development, and organizational strategy. Her career has taken me from the bustling heart of New York City, where she worked for over a decade, to the vibrant community of St. Louis, where she currently leads development efforts at an independent school.
As an immigrant with a global background, she brings a unique perspective to her work. She has extensive experience collaborating with international and domestic families to navigate the complex world of U.S. boarding and independent schools.
Leveraging her background in art and design thinking, she craft innovative strategies for fundraising, governance, and communication. Her passion is helping institutions thrive by combining emotional intelligence, strategic listening, and cultural understanding.
Whether you're looking for guidance on independent school admissions, board development, advancement strategies, or navigating the U.S. independent school system, she would love to start a conversation with you. Together, we can chart a course for impactful growth and lasting success.
2021-Current
Thomas Jefferson School, St. Louis, MO
EXPERIENCES
Director of Development
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Lead strategic planning initiatives to advance the school’s mission and philanthropic efforts.
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Successfully doubled annual fund revenue and tripled parent group engagement, significantly increasing donor retention and loyalty.
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Manage all aspects of the annual fund, major gift projects, and capital campaigns.
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Cultivate, solicit, and steward 25+ major donors while building a sustainable donor pipeline.
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Organize and oversee the Parent Association and Alumni Council, fostering community engagement.
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Serve as staff liaison for the Advancement Committee and Board Membership Committee.
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Plan and execute alumni programming, reunions, and other school events.
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Develop and distribute monthly donor newsletters, the annual alumni magazine, board reports, and presentations.
2019-2021
MICDS, New City School, and The College School, St. Louis, MO
Teacher
Curriculum development and classroom and online teaching
2014-2018
City & Country School, New York, NY
Development Associate
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Managed volunteer programs and enhanced community engagement initiatives.
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Conducted donor prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
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Designed and created marketing and communication materials to support fundraising efforts.
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Coordinated and executed annual galas, collaborating with vendors and contractors.
2008-2012
T.E. Black Studio, New York, NY
Production Manager
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Directed in-house production and on-site execution of exhibition design prints.
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Oversaw business operations, including budgeting, scheduling, and collaboration with designers, curators, and contractors.
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Partnered with curators and museum directors at leading institutions, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Guggenheim, MoMA, and The Whitney Museum.
EDUCATION
M.A. in Private School Leadership
Klingenstein Center, Teacher’s College, Columbia University, New York, NY
B.F.A.
Parsons School of Design, New York, NY
2004-2006
Sony Music Entertainment, New York, NY
Web Designer
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Designed and developed digital content for artists’ websites.
2004-2010
The New York Times and Various Clients, New York, NY
Freelance Illustrator
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Delivered high-quality illustrations under tight deadlines, working closely with creative directors.
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Published in The New York Times Book Review, The New Yorker, and The New York Review of Books, among others.
ACHIEVEMENTS
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2024 Maurice Gurin Scholar, Association of Fundraising Professionals- NYC Chapter
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2024 Virginia Carter Smith Scholar, Council for Advancement and Support of Education
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2024 District V & IV Conference Scholar, Council for Advancement and Support of Education
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2023 NAIS People of Color Conference, Planning Committee Member & Speaker Presenter
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2023 Klingenstein Center Leadership Academy Scholar, Columbia University
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2022 Klingenstein Summer Institute Receipient, Columbia University
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2004-2013 Published Illustrator at Abrams Books, Coach, McSweeney’s, The New York Times, The New Yorker, The New York Review of Books, Workman Publishing
AWARDS
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2024 Best of District IV Awards, Council for Advancement and Support of Education
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2023 Bronze, Circle of Excellence, Council for Advancement and Support of Education 2008 American Photography & Illustration Chosen 26
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2008 American Photography & Illustration Selected 26