BMCC Community,
As we step into a critical time for fundraising and community engagement, I wish to announce the arrival of Karen C. Wilson-Stevenson, EMBA, CFRE, who will begin serving as BMCC’s Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement, effective November 16, 2021.
As an expert in leading and managing high-level corporate, foundation, and individual major gift solicitations, including primary collaboration/partnership resulting in single largest individual eight-figure gift to National NAACP, Ms. Wilson-Stevenson brings a wealth of expertise and hands-on experience in running a development department in higher education and national non- profit and successfully rebuilding a development department and relationships.
As President and CEO of Calyxse, Inc. (Columbia, MD & Madison, MS), Wilson-Stevenson has led strategic and comprehensive fund, corporate foundation, alumni development; conference and event services; development services; business management services and program development for non-profit, private, and academic organizations. In addition, she has led strategic brand/marketing, communications, government relations, initiative and alliance-building, entrepreneurial and organizational capacity/training of public, private, and nonprofit organizations.
Wilson-Stevenson’s recent work experience includes serving as Director of Institutional Advancement with The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles, CA; Lead Consultant/Program Director of the Delta Cultural Resources Project with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Services, Jackson, MS; Executive Director of the SonEdna Foundation in Charleston, MS; Vice President, Office for Institutional Advancement and Chief Advancement Officer of Tougaloo College, where she created corporate strategic and partnership initiatives to increase academic, experiential and investment opportunities that drove 20% increase in Tougaloo College alumni giving/participation within first six months.
Other achievements by Wilson-Stevenson, include the development of legislative strategies and support to lead the team that secured increased Head Start and agency funding from $6.5M annually to $22.5M annually for operations, projects, expansion, and capital improvements, while serving as Acting Assistant Director of the Head Start Program with the Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland.
Also, Wilson-Stevenson secured increased funding, established new overall performance standards for Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) to propel the agency from one of worst to one of country’s best. Maintained results through leadership, fund development, approval, and oversight of $100M annual operating budget, contracts, and properties; $300M construction and major modernization budget, funding, projects, contracts, and properties; and more than $3M developmental budget, funding, and contracts.
Wilson-Stevenson earned a B.A. in Paleopathology from Case Western Reserve University; completed Research and Development, Agency Management and Statistics Coursework from the Department of Graduate Studies at Case Western Reserve University; and earned an EMBA from the Executive MBA Program at the University of Maryland, University College, in Adelphi, MD. Wilson-Stevenson will be receiving her Ph.D., from the Executive Ph.D. Program of Jackson State University, Jackson, MS (anticipated completion/graduation is May 2022).
Wilson-Stevenson’s affiliations include Khafre, Inc. (Board member; 2013-present); Emmett Till Historic Intrepid Center (advisory committee member; 2012-present); Opera America (member; 2012-present); CASE (professional member; 2008-present); Delta Jewels Education and Research Foundation (founding board member; 2008-present); and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Metro DC Chapter, (2003-2008); Co-Chair Diversity Committee (2002-2003); Track Dean, Fundraising Days Symposium (2000-2); VP Diversity (2004-2006); Member (to present); 1997-2000, National Society of Fundraising Executives (Now AFP); Active Member AFP-SoCal, AFP-DC.
Please help me welcome Karen C. Wilson-Stevenson, EMBA, CFRE to the Office of Institutional Advancement and the BMCC community.
Sincerely,
Anthony E. Munroe
President, Borough of Manhattan Community College
