Nanci Kauffman brings to CCS 35 years as an educator, a leader, and a fundraiser in independent schools. Nanci’s extensive experience and deep knowledge in the education sector bring invaluable insights to our work in California, throughout the West Coast, and across the country. Over the span of her career, Nanci has been at the helm of innovations in mission-driven programs, strategic planning, fundraising, and stewardship.
During her time as Head of School at Castilleja in Palo Alto, Nanci launched the Innovation Investment Fund to transition the school to 21st Century Learning. In partnership with philanthropic donors, she initiated numerous programmatic enhancements across all areas of the school – positioning Castilleja as a leader in STEM education, community engagement and global entrepreneurship. Nanci spearheaded the vision and the case for support that led to Open Their World – a capital campaign that raised over $95 million to rebuild Castilleja’s campus. As a new member of Team West, Nanci has already provided guidance to support several CCS projects for independent schools, including Brandeis School of San Francisco, Keys School in Palo Alto, and the Center for Early Education in West Hollywood.
Nanci earned her MA in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, and received her BA in Psychology from Vassar College. Nanci is dedicated to developing women as leaders, is actively engaged in the Feminist Majority Foundation, and has spent the majority of career in all-girls schools. As an advocate for single-gender education, she is a founding trustee of Field Middle School for Boys in Belmont and serves on the Board of Presentation High School in San José. With two married children, Nanci and her husband Scott are happiest on a beach with their two grandchildren.
Select Client Partners
- Brandeis School of San Francisco
- Center for Early Education
- Keys School
Dr. Rupal Mittal is a dedicated advocate for leveraging data to drive impactful business strategies. With a distinguished background in data science and astrophysics, Rupal brings a unique blend of expertise and experience to her role as Lead Data Scientist at CCS Fundraising.
Rupal began her data science journey during her Ph.D. where she honed her analytical skills through investigating astrophysical phenomena using advanced mathematical and imaging techniques, fostering a deep appreciation for precise data analysis pivotal to her career. Rupal excels in conducting comprehensive data analysis, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and practical applications of data science.
As the lead data scientist at CCS Fundraising, Rupal aspires to leverage her expertise in automating data analysis using state-of-the-art data science tools to optimize business practices. Her passion for DevOps practices ensures the seamless integration of cutting-edge data science solutions into operational workflows, thereby streamlining processes and maximizing efficiency.
In addition to her technical qualifications, Rupal is deeply committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in her work as well as personal environment. She recognizes the importance of creating a diverse and inclusive work environment to drive innovation and problem-solving.
Rupal holds a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the Max Planck Institute of Radioastronomy in Bonn, Germany, along with a M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Physics from the University of Delhi. Rupal is not only a passionate advocate for public transit but also embraces a car-lite lifestyle with her partner and two children in the city of Rochester, NY. Her daily routine reflects a rich blend of Indian, German, and American cultural influences, which she takes pride in incorporating into her family’s life.
As a Senior Vice President of CCS Helen is results-driven and action-oriented. Exceling in project management, Helen has significant experience managing fundraising operations, prospect identification, development staff engagement, strategic planning, and analytic reporting. As a senior member of CCS Europe, she has led diverse international initiatives from a €35m campaign for a leading Irish University to supporting religious organisations in the UK to receive six and seven-figure investments.
Helen has extensive experience in securing transformational gifts from individuals, trusts/foundations, the corporate sector and government agencies and was instrumental in continuing to ensure fundraising success for her clients through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In working with CCS clients across the non-profit sector, Helen has assessed large-scale fundraising operations, led complex, multi-dimensional campaigns, and supported in defining and executing recruitment strategies to build successful development teams. She is most proud of her relationship with RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and especially her involvement with its Institute of Global Surgery – including securing funding for a newly established academic chair to lead the Institute’s work in Malawi and Zambia.
Most recently, Helen worked with St Mary’s University in Twickenham and the University of Health Equity based in Rwanda to develop robust strategic plans to secure philanthropic income to enable growth. Currently Helen is working with Corpus Christi College at Oxford University to support a landmark campaign for their new library.
select client partners
- Armagh Public Library
- The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
- AMAR Foundation
- Holy Child School, Killiney
- Chabad Belgravia
- The University of Health Equity, Rwanda
- St Mary’s University, Twickenham
- Centre for Anti-Microbial Resistance
- Corpus Christi College, Oxford University
- St Andrew’s School, Dublin
Sarah is passionate about empowering nonprofits with the knowledge, expertise, and resources necessary to elevate their philanthropy. She is committed to helping organizations live up to their desire to make the world a better place. She believes that fundraising activities should be designed to cultivate meaningful and lasting relationships with donors, with the end goal to build sustainable funding solutions for organizations.
A marketing and development executive for over 25 years, Sarah has direct and deep experience in all facets of fundraising, including major gift strategies, capital campaigns, feasibility studies, volunteer engagement, donor relations, board development, cultivation events, and corporate partnerships. An adaptable and enthusiastic problem solver, she has built a strong reputation using creative strategies and leveraging opportunities.
Sarah is inspired by the nonprofit sector and motivated by the intellectual curiosity and creativity of those with whom she works. For play, Sarah can be found exploring and enjoying the outdoors no matter the weather.
Sarah earned an MA in Philanthropic Studies from the School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, an M Ed in Mental Health Counseling from Cambridge College, and a BA in Business Management from Notre Dame College.
Select Client Partners
- Archdiocese of Boston
- Bangor YMCA
- Bridgton Academy
- Brigham and Woman’s Hospital
- Coastal Humane Society
- Family Services of the Merrimack Valley
- Home and Hospice Care of Rhode Island
- Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health
- Salem State University
- St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute
- The Guidance Center
- Tree Care Industry Association
- University of Massachusetts – Lowell
- WGBH/Nova
Access and equity motivate Marc’s career in the philanthropic sector. Early on, his interest in education and LGBTQIA+ rights compelled him to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector. He launched his career working for premier education and justice-minded institutions in Chicago, and volunteering for the Human Rights Campaign.
With a desire to do more and improve access to other needs, Marc joined CCS in 2011 and has since dedicated himself to diverse causes bringing education, healthcare, and human services to communities locally, nationally, and worldwide. Every day, Marc provides leadership, strategy, and philanthropic advice to the non-profit sector and social impact space. He brings more than 15 years of professional fundraising and non-profit experience to CCS.
Marc designs, advises, and directs a diverse portfolio of clients across the non-profit spectrum, primarily in healthcare, education, religious, and human services sector. He has resourced fundraising initiatives that have raised more than $500 million.
Originally from San Diego, California, Marc earned his B.A. in Political Science at the University of California, Santa Cruz before moving to Chicago to pursue an M.P.P.A. at Northwestern University. Marc moved to New York City in 2014 and lives in the West Village neighborhood with his fiancé, Michael. He enjoys running marathons, traveling, learning languages, and trying new restaurants.
select client partners
- Catholic Health Services of Long Island, Long Island, NY
- Ellis Medicine, Schenectady, NY
- Maurice A. Deane School of Law, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
- Teach for America New York, New York, NY
- The Lustgarten Foundation, New York, NY
- Futures in Education, Brooklyn, NY
- Staten Island Academy, Staten Island, NY
- Northern Westchester Hospital
- Peconic Bay Medical Center, Riverhead, NY
- Diocese of Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY
Abby has spent her career working to strengthen the bridge between impact-driven organizations and their philanthropic, public, and private partners to sustain and accelerate their growth goals. Since joining CCS, Abby has planned for and managed capital and comprehensive campaigns with goals ranging from $10 million to $1.5 billion. She has worked with senior leadership to develop and implement strategies for seven- and eight-figure gifts, build the case for support, and activate volunteers as philanthropic champions. Abby is a founding member of CCS’s nonprofit fiscal management working group.
Throughout her career, Abby has worked with interdisciplinary teams to identify business solutions to systemic environmental challenges. She began her career at The Trust for Public Land, where she advised government agencies and their nonprofit partners on capacity-building and sustaining public-private partnerships, leading to research that was highlighted in The Chronicle of Philanthropy. She has also built strategies for innovative environmental finance programs at The Nature Conservancy and Social Finance. Abby holds MBA and Master of Environmental Management degrees from Yale University and a BA from Williams College. In her free time, she enjoys exploring urban parks and historic architecture, often by bicycle.
Select Client Partners
- ADL (Anti-Defamation League)
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- The Frederick Gunn School
- Museum of Chinese in America
- NYU Stern School of Business
Mary is a mission-driven professional who brings a care for relationship building to each of her client engagements. Since joining the firm in 2018, she has led a portfolio of custom development projects, as well as strategic assessments, feasibility and planning studies, and major fundraising campaigns. Her counsel has furthered the efforts of organizations in diverse sectors, including higher education, human and social services, health, and advocacy.
Mary brings expertise in major gift strategy, board and leadership engagement, and development staff training and coaching.
A native Texan, Mary earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Sociology from Texas A&M University. She is an avid international traveler and enjoys exploring the world with her husband.
select client partners
- Complete College America
- Extreme Response International
- Grand Valley State University
- Howard Brown Health
- Ingalls Development Foundation (UChicago Medicine)
- Nourishing Hope (formerly Lakeview Pantry)
- Xavier University of Louisiana
Lyndsie works with a team of operations professionals to support internal strategic planning, business development, and talent management for NY-based executives. She initially joined CCS in 2013 as an onsite director, where she partnered with an array of clients in the arts, education, and environmental sectors. Serving as a trusted thought partner, she managed diverse projects including feasibility studies, campaign management, and development assessments and served as interim director of development.
In the time between these roles at CCS, Lyndsie served as the Director of Advancement and Strategic Projects at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, a 180-year-old synagogue in Manhattan. In this role, Lyndsie led the 1,700-family congregation in its largest ever capital campaign and annual fundraising efforts. She also spearheaded the community’s first ever strategic plan, managed its congregational listening campaign, led programmatic incubators, and designed and facilitated leadership development programs.
Lyndsie received her B.A. from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study where she concentrated in Judaic Studies and Non-Profit Management. She serves on the Board of SAORI Arts NYC, an organization that brings free form weaving to children and adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
Dr. Ashutosh Nandeshwar thrives on creating effective systems and processes with tools and technology. With his education in systems engineering, artificial intelligence, and design thinking, he built solutions to improve fundraising results at the world’s top higher education institutions. He has written multiple books, including a co-authored book titled “Data Science for Fundraising.”
Ashutosh says, “CCS works with a range of nonprofit organizations, and that offers a unique opportunity to apply data science and analytics at scale to make a significant impact in the world.”
Ashutosh earned his Ph.D. and MS in Industrial Engineering, specializing in machine learning, and an MS in design thinking. He loves speaking about the power of data and is invited to give keynotes at national conferences. He is an active member of various professional organizations, including a term on Apra’s board, where he led the planning of the data science curriculum for the fundraising industry.
Kara Christ currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing for CCS Fundraising, leading a team of passionate marketers charged with elevating the brand to contribute to firm growth. She is a data-driven marketing executive skilled in branding strategy, digital experiences and social media, business and relationship development, campaigns implementation, and managing cross-functional, global teams.
With nearly 15 years’ experience delivering successful marketing programs to organizations such as the American Red Cross, KPMG, Alliance Bernstein, and United Bank, Kara is regarded as having strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. She brings an analytical eye for detail and a solutions-oriented approach to setting strategy, problem-solving, and achieving organization goals.
Kara is proud to serve on the Board of Directors of the American Marketing Association, Washington, DC Chapter as the Partnerships Chair, and also on the Board of her Homeowners Association as the Communications Chair. She is passionate about volunteering and regularly donates her time teaching financial literacy (United Bank), mentoring high school students (Urban Alliance), reading to kindergarten children (KFFL), and giving blood at local blood drives (American Red Cross). Kara considers herself a “double-bulldog” having received an MBA from Georgetown University – McDonough School of Business and a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.
