Lindauer Retained by C-SPAN for Chief Development Officer Search
May 20, 2026 – Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating, and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving, and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is job No. 1.
Lindauer has been retained by C-SPAN to lead in its search for a chief development officer. The search is being led by Lindauer vice president Maureen Huminik, senior vice president Bob Giannino, and senior consultant Taylor Beard. Working in partnership with the CEO and senior management team, the CDO will design, launch, and lead a comprehensive philanthropic strategy capable of securing transformational support — including six, seven- and eight-figure gifts — while upholding C-SPAN’s core values of nonpartisanship, independence, and public trust.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned non-profit fundraising leader who brings a strong track record of securing major and principal gifts. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to design and scale sophisticated fundraising programs, as well as build strategy, teams, and infrastructure that drive sustainable growth. With executive presence and gravitas, the incoming CDO will be highly effective in partnering with a dynamic CEO and engaging high-profile external stakeholders, with a deep commitment to the power of journalism and a strong belief in the importance of unfiltered democracy.
For more than four decades, C-SPAN has served as the nation’s non-profit political network of record, providing unfiltered, nonpartisan access to the work of government and public affairs without editorial commentary, political advocacy, or commercial interruption.
Lindauer serves higher and secondary education, hospitals, academic research centers, think tanks, research facilities, and foundations, as well as advocacy, public service, social justice and other mission-driven non-profits. The firm has led searches for The Aspen Institute, Auburn University, Franklin & Marshall College, Brown University, Bryn Mawr College, Princeton University, MIT Sloan, Dickinson College, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Columbia University, University of Illinois, Room to Read and Educate Girls, among others.
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Deb Taft leads Lindauer with over 25 years of executive and senior-level experience across the non-profit sector, from education to healthcare/academic medicine to the youth service and voluntary sectors. Her expertise includes governance, strategic planning, fundraising, program and staff management, strategic marketing, analytics, and constituent engagement, as well as talent recruitment, retention, and development.
Seasoned Search Consultants
Ms. Huminik co-leads Lindauer’s healthcare and academic medicine practice and its advocacy, policy, and social enterprise practice. Her healthcare clients include City of Hope, Cleveland Clinic, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic, Moffitt Cancer Center, and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, while her work in higher education includes Arizona State University, Binghamton University, DePauw University, New York University, and University of Massachusetts. Ms. Huminik has also worked with organizations and missions as diverse as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Catholic Charities, JDRF, YMCA, and YWCA.
Lindauer Recruits Chief Philanthropy Officer for the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society
Lindauer has assisted in the recruitment of Gary Grant as chief philanthropy officer of the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society. The search was led by Lindauer assistant vice president Terri Rutter. “Gary is deeply committed to the belief that philanthropy begins with real relationships,” the Zoo said in a LinkedIn post. “He is excited to bring that philosophy to Palm Beach Zoo and to work alongside our communities as we save wildlife in wild places. Welcome to the Palm Beach Zoo family, Gary.”
Mr. Giannino is senior vice president and co-leader of the firm’s advocacy, policy, and social enterprise practice. With decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, he has had a transformational impact in advancing opportunity, access, and equity. Mr. Giannino joined Lindauer in July 2024 from the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, where he has provided the leadership and strategic direction that drives the organization toward creating greater opportunity, access, and equity for all in Eastern Massachusetts. “Bob has made a transformative difference at the highest levels of non-profit leadership by identifying opportunities for impact, making bold plans, and bringing people together to find common cause for the common good,” said Ms. Taft.
Ms. Beard brings to Lindauer and its clients several years of philanthropic consulting and project management experience in the non-profit sector. Throughout her career, she has partnered with a range of clients including American University, Carnegie-Mellon University, Chicago Urban League, Colgate University, Da Vinci Science Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Englewood Health Foundation, Folger Shakespeare Library, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Germantown Friends School, Instituto Technologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Macalester College, Milwaukee Art Museum, Louisiana State University Athletics, National Cathedral School, Oregon Health and Science University Foundation, Pennsylvania State University Athletics, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Minnesota Foundation, University of New Mexico Foundation, University of the Arctic, Trinity College, and Upper Canada College.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
