About Me.

I bet you’re here because you’d like to work with a human, so let me tell you a little bit about the kind of human I am.

 At Work.

Philosophy

Collaboration, engagement, and strategic thinking are foundational to my work. I believe our best work happens when we create an engaging and supportive workplace, collaborate, and rely on strategic planning and data-informed decision making.

 

Leadership Style

I work to build mission-driven and supportive teams that allow each member to bring their unique strengths to a project. Whether I’m working on an established team or working with freelance clients on a project, I work hard to ensure that each team member has the resources and support they need to be successful and contribute in a mutually meaningful and effective way. It’s only together that we can reach our goals.

 

Results

At the end of the day, we’re all looking for results. I have a proven record of achieving program goals. I have collaborated across organizations, built fundraising programs, and improved engagement with internal and external audiences. During my first year as the Director of Annual Giving at Westminster College, I led our most successful Day of Giving with a 138% increase in dollars raised. I look forward to applying these same principles to my work with future clients.

 

At Life.

My work is an important and fulfilling part of my life, but it’s only a part of that life. I believe that what I do outside of work makes me better at what I do at work.

My family, friends, and hobbies give me energy, open my mind to creative solutions, connect me to the wider world, show me my weaknesses, sharpen my strengths, and remind me of the kind of person I am becoming.

 
 

Creative

I’m always on the lookout for a problem in need of a creative solution. Whether it’s a gingerbread house that needs edible windows or more pressing problem, I’m never as engaged as when I’m engaged in creative problem solving.

Loyal

I am a loyal friend and colleague. Loyalty is earned, so I invest in relationships with trust, care, and respect. I think the workplace and the world is better when we cultivate loyalty—we can all learn a little from our dogs, right?

Brewster and Eleanor pictured to the left exemplify loyalty—especially when you are eating.

 
 
 

Intrepid

I took this selfie at the Fjadrargljufur Canyon in Iceland—a beautiful, wild, and dramatic country. Travel reminds me that I am fearless and that adventure can be found in many places, near and far.

 

Tenacious

In my spare time, I love to knit—a hobby that provides a very unique blend of relxation and frustration. Using thousands of tiny stitches to create unique patterns requires a certain tenaciy, but it brings just as much satisfaction.

 

Skills.

Tools & Technologies

  • Adobe Illustrator

  • Adobe InDesign

  • Adobe Photoshop

  • Adobe Acrobat

  • Canva

Industry Knowledge

  • Graduway

  • Qualtrics

  • Customer Relationship Management Software (Colleague Advance, Banner)

  • Content Management System

  • Microsoft Excel

  • Microsoft Word

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

  • Microsoft Power Automate

  • SharePoint

  • I have experience working with performing arts organizations to enhance their marketing and communications campaigns to increase attendance and philanthropic support.

  • I have worked with a variety of small businesses and non-profit organizations to create a consistent brand identity that supports and enhances their work.

  • I am experienced in managing annual department budgets, ensuring that individual projects come in under budget, and demonstrating the return on investment for how budgeted funds are spent.

  • I have coordinated a variety of communication campaigns through print, email, social media, and more. I excel at organizing well-timed communications plans that resonate with audiences and achieve results.

  • I have found that an important aspect of working with volunteers and ambassadors is providing the tools that allow them to work independently and effectively. I have created many templates to assist volunteers in creating communications that are aligned with a larger campaign while leaving room for personalization.

  • Most organizations I work with have already been communicating with their audiences. Analyzing existing content and outcomes is critical to the success of future planning.

  • I have provided creative direction for large print projects and fundraising events including coordinating photoshoots, graphic design, art production, and event design.

  • Crowdfunding is an important fundraising tool for non-profit organizations of all sizes. I have managed a variety of crowdfunding campaigns including college days of giving that raised over $200,000.

  • I am committed to collecting and analyzing actionable data, even for small projects, to help organizations make better decisions about how to reach audiences and allocate resources.

  • I am experienced in data management and segmenting audiences to receive targeted and personalized communications.

  • My marketing and communication work takes the life-cycle of donors into account and plans for a long-term relationship between the donor and organization that is stewarded and evolves over time.

  • I have overseen the launch an annual management of a donor recognition society for a small liberal arts college. The program included data management, mail solicitations, emails, in-person and virtual events, donor stewardship activities, and program evaluations.

  • I have planned a variety of email marketing campaigns including the process of audience segmentation, writing email content, scheduling emails as part of a multi-channel campaign, designing emails in an email management platform, and reporting on the campaign results.

  • I believe employee engagement is critical to the success of any organization. In my fundraising role, I created targeted communications for employees and conducted research about their participation in fundraising campaigns. I also served on the Westminster Staff Council—a group that advocated for the needs of staff members and planned professional development, recognition, and community engagement activities—for three years.

  • I have worked with organizations to create event marketing materials and plan the timing of event invitations and reminders.

  • I have created print and digital fundraising campaigns including drafting and designing the appeals, collaborating with colleagues, managing data, coordinating with vendors, and managing the project budget.

  • I am experienced with Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator and have used those tools to create marketing materials for small businesses and non-profit organizations including business logos, product packaging, event invitations and signs, social media graphics, internal reports, and more.

  • I bring all of my marketing and communication skills and strengths in strategic planning and project management to create comprehensive and actionable integrated marketing and communication plans. I have created Integrated marketing and communication plans for small businesses, performing arts organizations, and non-profit organizations.

  • I have completed internal communication audits, conducted research about the perceptions of internal audiences, created strategic communication plans for this target audience, and overseen marketing and fundraising campaigns for employees.

  • I have experience designing logos for new and existing organizations that align with their brand identities and long-term objectives.

  • I have conducted surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations, analyzed the resulting data, and synthesized the information to make strategic recommendations to my clients.

  • I have worked on a variety of print projects including annual fundraising appeals, event invitations, annual reports, postcards, and stewardship pieces.

  • I have worked as a project manager with diverse teams and projects using the traditional project management approach and several different digital project management software tools. I excel at motivating team members to reach their full potential and collaborate effectively.

  • I employ data-informed decision-making and my knowledge of project management to identify attainable objectives and develop actionable strategies and tactics to accomplish the objectives with the available resources.

  • I have conducted surveys, interviews, and observations as part of my primary market research for clients. I identify the target audience, conduct research, analyze data, and provide data-informed insights for my clients.

  • I have conducted target audience interviews, analyzed resulting qualitative data, and synthesized the findings into actionable insights for my clients.

  • I work closely with a variety of vendors to ensure that my employers receive the best prices and exceptional quality with the finished products.

  • I have worked with volunteers through training, planning, and the implementation of the event or campaign. I am experienced at planning each stage of the experience so that volunteers feel informed, supported, and ready work!

What People Are Saying?

“Hannah creates successful programs by blending her strategic vision with project management expertise. The thoughtful and inclusive leadership helps relationships flourish and creates key stakeholder buy-in”

— Jessica Dalton, Associate Director of Annual Giving

My experience working with Hannah Thorne as Director of Annual Giving has been exceptional. When working with Hannah I can trust that the attention to detail and professional communication that she brings to the team will add value to the project at hand. The Purple Basket has been able to operate as a fully functioning and fully stocked basic needs center thanks to her direction and thoughtful project development during One Westminster Day. Hannah is a asset to any team with her vision, follow through, and passionate work ethic.

— Nayethzi, Food & Housing Security Specialist

“Hannah is extremely mindful, which makes her an invaluable team member. She doesn’t just look at what she has to do, she looks at what is getting done collectively and steps in where needed. Hannah is someone who will stay at work till what needs to be done gets done, regardless of the time. Aside from Hannah’s strengths in productivity and observation, it’s also worth noting that Hannah has a skill of reminding all people involved with something that they matter, making for a more enjoyable experience all around.”

— Sierra Krippner, Residence Life Coordinator

“As Communication Chair for Westminster's Staff Council, Hannah organized and streamlined communication to the staff community. She created structure for the internal documentation and records of the Council to make information easily accessible and to provide continuity for future Council members. Hannah also provided leadership in improving staff recognition and professional development.”

— Allison Vasquez, Director of International Student Services and Study Abroad

If you think I’d be a good fit for your team, drop me a line and let’s meet.