Lindauer Selected by Scouting America to Lead Chief Development Officer Search
February 19, 2025 – Lindauer has been retained by Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) to lead in its search for an executive vice president and chief development officer (CDO). The assignment is being led by Libby Roberts, senior executive vice president, and Andrew Machado, senior consultant. This critical role requires a strategic development leader with a passion for spearheading fundraising initiatives and a record of success in identifying and cultivating funding sources to finance growth and development activities. If you are prepared to lead a transformative $1 billion campaign that is underway and already achieving remarkable results and contribute to advancing Scouting America’s mission through innovative fundraising strategies, Lindauer encourages you to apply.
Scouting America is an individual to join its leadership team and spearhead transformative fundraising efforts. This pivotal role involves leading the office of development, driving a $1 billion campaign already achieving significant results, and charting innovative strategies to secure future growth. The CDO will collaborate with the national executive board, guide a team of over 70 development professionals, and represent Scouting America to internal and external stakeholders.
This is an extraordinary opportunity for a development leader to rebuild a program and make a lasting impact by advancing Scouting America’s mission and expanding its donor base, Lindauer explains. With an emphasis on strategic vision, relationship-building, and innovative fundraising approaches, the CDO will ensure the success of Scouting America’s comprehensive campaigns and play a vital role in shaping the organization’s future.
Scouting America is seeking a chief development officer with a minimum of 10 years of proven success in fundraising, gift planning, and team management within the nonprofit sector. The ideal candidate will have experience leading a fundraising campaign of $500 million or more and possess in-depth knowledge of the philanthropic sector, including regulations and charitable tax legislation. Strong analytical skills, strategic planning abilities, and decision-making expertise are essential, along with proficiency in identifying, managing, and mitigating fundraising-related risks. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are required to foster strong relationships with donors, stakeholders, and team members. Additionally, the candidate must demonstrate proven leadership abilities to energize and guide teams toward achieving collective success.
Scouting America has been a cornerstone of youth development since its founding in 1910, offering character-building and values-based leadership training programs to young people across the nation. With over 1 million youth members and 630,000 volunteers, Scouting America fosters a sense of belonging and instills the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Throughout its storied history, more than 130 million youth and 35 million adult volunteers have participated in scouting programs.
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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 Boston YMCA, Center for Applied Special Technology, Healthy Minds Innovations/Center for Healthy Minds, the University of Texas at Austin, and the Cockrell School of Engineering, among others.
Proven Search Consultants
Deb Taft, chief executive officer, 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.
Lindauer Leading Chief Development Officer Search for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Lindauer was recently tapped by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) to lead in its search for a senior vice president and chief development officer. The assignment is being led by Libby Roberts, senior executive vice president, and Josh Maker, senior consultant. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is looking for a strategic and visionary chief development officer to lead a bold and comprehensive approach to fundraising. This pivotal role will drive PSO’ ambitious $84 million campaign to secure essential operational funding, support capital enhancements for the renowned Heinz Hall, and grow the orchestra’s endowment for long-term sustainability.
Ms. Roberts has extensive philanthropic experience at top organizations establishing relationships with diverse constituents, focusing on strategic planning, executive search, team building, and board development. Her signature clients at Lindauer since 2014 have included: Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Berea College, Brookings Institution, Cranbrook Educational Community, Emerson College, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mind Springs Health, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the Museum of Arts and Design, and University of Technology Sydney.
Mr. Machado brings to Lindauer over 10 years of frontline fundraising and philanthropic consulting experience. He joined Lindauer after several years at the University of Chicago Law School where he managed a donor portfolio primarily in the New York region, raising more than $3.4 million. His clients included American University, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, The Art Institute of Chicago, Barack Obama Foundation, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Cornell University, Duke University Health System, Kings College London, Pennsylvania State University, Philadelphia Museum of Art, University of Queensland, Smithsonian Institution, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Yale University.
Related: Lindauer Places Chief Development Officer for Children’s Hospital of Orange County
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
