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Chief Development Officer

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Chief Development Officer

The Overlake School

Onsite Redmond, Washington

The Overlake School is a highly respected independent college preparatory day school serving students in grades 5–12 on a 75-acre campus in Redmond, Washington. Founded in 1967, Overlake is known for rigorous academics, small class sizes, and a deeply personalized approach to teaching and learning. With a student–teacher ratio of approximately 7:1, the School creates an environment where students are known, challenged, and supported as multifaceted individuals.

Overlake’s mission centers on championing students and their vast potential through engaging educational experiences in a diverse and inclusive community. Its academic program is complemented by robust arts, athletics, outdoor education, service learning, and experiential opportunities that prepare students for college and lives of purpose. Located near the innovation corridor of the Seattle area, Overlake benefits from both a tranquil natural setting and proximity to cultural, technological, and philanthropic resources that strengthen its community and outlook.

The Opportunity

The Overlake School seeks a strategic and relationship-centered Chief Development Officer to lead the continued evolution of its philanthropic program at a moment of opportunity. Following the successful completion of a $28 million campaign, the School is well positioned to build momentum, strengthen systems, and deepen engagement across its donor community. This is a senior leadership role for a development professional eager to shape the next chapter of growth for a mission-driven institution with strong alignment between culture and purpose.

As a member of the senior leadership team, the CDO will partner closely with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to design and execute advancement strategies that support institutional priorities and long-term financial sustainability. The role calls for a leader who brings clarity, structure, and forward-looking strategy to a growing development operation, with responsibility for major gifts, annual giving, campaigns, planned giving, stewardship, engagement, communications, and advancement services.

The CDO will lead and mentor the development team, strengthen data-informed decision-making, and personally manage a significant portfolio of major and leadership gift prospects. At the same time, this leader will serve as a visible ambassador for Overlake, cultivating high-value relationships and inspiring a culture of philanthropy across parents, alumni, trustees, and friends of the School. For a collaborative, strategic advancement leader, this role offers a path forward together with a school poised for continued impact.

The salary range for this position is $220,000–$250,000.

The Overlake School
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    By admin|2026-09-23T21:26:56-04:00February 10, 2026|Comments Off on Chief Development Officer

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    A respected professional services leader and a sought-after advisor to organizations across the nonprofit sector, Jackie Sullivan draws on an extensive toolkit of problem-solving strategies to consistently deliver innovative solutions and actionable recommendations for her clients. With a focus on tactical implementation, big-picture thinking, and high-touch relationships with stakeholders, she has earned the trust of numerous organizations engaged in life-changing work around the world.

    Known for approaching challenges with tenacity and determination, Jackie brings a wealth of experience in independent school, higher education, and global and social nonprofit leadership and consulting that positions her as the ideal partner for recruiting top-tier talent.

    Expertise

    Jackie’s core strengths lie in her profound understanding of organizations and their operational intricacies, coupled with her ability to assess and fulfill the unique needs of development offices within these institutions. Her deep well of knowledge regarding the inner workings of institutions allows her to navigate their complexities with precision and insight, while her breadth of experience gives her an industry-level perspective.

    Jackie has partnered with the full range of independent schools, including boarding and day schools, faith-based schools, single-gender schools, and specialty programs, as well as an array of higher education, global, and social nonprofits.

    Experience

    Jackie’s experience as a seasoned development officer within independent schools and higher education, as well as her extensive experience as a strategic consultant partnering with these institutions, uniquely positions her as a top expert and advisor for leaders in education.

    Before joining Lindauer, Jackie honed her expertise in navigating the complexities of a range of educational and nonprofit environments working both in-house in development offices at institutions like Syracuse University, the Pingry School, and Delbarton School as well as externally as a principal consultant at Graham-Pelton, a global leader in nonprofit consulting.

    Her commitment to the field includes serving on the Board of Directors for The Giving Institute and, previously, on the board of the Morris Education Foundation.

    Education

    Jackie holds a BA in Math and Psychology from Syracuse University.

    As a Senior Consultant at Lindauer, Alexandra Barber brings 10+ years of experience in higher education fundraising, development, and enrollment.

    Prior to joining Lindauer, Alex spent three years at UNC Asheville in a variety of roles within University Advancement and the Chancellor’s Office. Most recently as Executive Assistant to the Chancellor and Chief of Staff, Alex worked with the University leadership and the Board of Trustees to carry out major strategic initiatives including a comprehensive fundraising campaign, institutional revitalization plan, and campus master plan. As Assistant Director of Donor Relations, she was charged with thinking creatively to improve stewardship and create long-term, sustainable solutions for Donor Relations. Among the results were the creation of more customized donor experiences, an implementation of the divisions first-ever major donor satisfaction survey, and the creation of a six-month campaign feasibility/readiness study comprised of 20 virtual focus group sessions with 250 donors and community members.

    Before her tenure at UNC Asheville, Alex spent five years in Graduate Admissions and Recruitment for the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University, improving the campus visit experience and increasing enrollment across 30+ graduate degree programs through personalized recruitment strategies.

    Alex graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from the University of South Florida and has a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration with a focus in finance and policy from George Washington University.

    As Senior Search Administrator and Executive Assistant, Dianne Cullinane acts as the liaison between Lindauer clients, candidates and consultants. She provides high-level strategic coordination and detailed administrative, client service and communications support to facilitate each search, balancing an array of clients and assignments.

    Dianne brings over 35 years-experience as an Executive Administrative Assistant, with a decade of those years spent in higher education fundraising. Dianne began her time at Simmons in the President’s Office, working with the Board of Trustees, Corporators and President’s Council. She learned all aspects of fundraising as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Advancement at Simmons College while earning her Bachelor’s degree. She also served as Associate Director of Institutional Programs and Special Events in her tenure at Simmons, handling all the strategy, planning and implementation of all institutional events. Known for her high level of organization and relationship-building, she facilitated cross-campus collaboration, helped build external visibility for the university’s brand, and identified opportunities for new events and expanded audience engagement. Before Simmons, Dianne worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts supporting the Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations, at Choate Hall & Stewart in the corporate legal arena, and in the Human Resources office of The Ritz-Carlton Boston.

    Dianne holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts.

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