Heather O'connell
About Heather O'connell
Heather O'Connell serves as the Assistant Director of the Yale College Alumni Fund, where she focuses on fundraising and donor engagement. She has a background in managing social media for philanthropic initiatives and has experience in donor relations and policy development.
Work at Yale University
Heather O'Connell serves as the Assistant Director of the Yale College Alumni Fund. In this role, she is responsible for managing fundraising initiatives and donor engagement strategies. Her work includes creating effective donor messaging and briefings, particularly during humanitarian crises. Since joining Yale in 2019, O'Connell has focused on enhancing alumni relations and fostering philanthropic support for the institution.
Previous Experience in Fundraising and Outreach
Before her tenure at Yale, Heather O'Connell worked at the UMD Center for Public Policy and Private Enterprise as an Outreach Coordinator from 2014 to 2018. In this position, she coordinated philanthropic giving among donors, financial institutions, and corporations. She also held the role of Donor Relations Assistant at Oxfam America for ten months in 2018-2019, where she further developed her skills in donor engagement.
Education and Expertise
Heather O'Connell earned her Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics with a focus on International Relations from the University of Maryland, completing her studies from 2014 to 2018. Additionally, she studied at ISI Florence for 11 months in 2016. O'Connell possesses expertise in prospect research, policy development, and ghostwriting for donor communications, which supports her work in fundraising and donor relations.
Internship Experience
In 2017, Heather O'Connell gained valuable experience as a Development Intern at The ONE Campaign for six months in the Washington D.C. Metro Area. This internship allowed her to further develop her skills in donor engagement and fundraising strategies, contributing to her professional growth in the nonprofit sector.