Introducing Our Senior Consultants |
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OAI is pleased to announce the recent addition of three seasoned Senior Consultants to our staff. John Wm. Thomas, Dick Walker and Richard Gelula have recently joined forces with OAI and now serve in the role of Senior Consultant, providing dedicated, senior expertise and resources to our clients.
With over 100 years of combined experience and funds raised that surpass $2.5 billion, all three bring extensive industry knowledge, experience, maturity and record-breaking fundraising numbers to their Track Businesses at OAI. Check out their profiles below, and discover how our clients in the areas of hospital, education and healthcare fundraising are benefiting from their expertise.
Click here to learn more about John and his experience fundraising for hospitals across the country.
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John Wm. Thomas
John Wm. Thomas joined our team two years ago as a Senior Consultant and now leads OAI’s hospital Track Business. As a former chief development director and an expert in the area of hospital fundraising, John understands the importance of strategic fundraising and the need for outsourced development services in the hospital space. With John’s proven track record of success in hospital fundraising coupled with OAI’s extensive knowledge in the areas of capital campaigns, strategy, financial and administrative management, and a host of other disciplines, we are ideally suited to assist hospitals with their current development challenges and pursuits.
Quick Facts:
- Raised over $700M as the Vice President for Development of Children’s National Medical Center and the Chief Operating Officer of Children’s Hospital Foundation
- Raised over $120M as the Senior Vice President for Development at the American Red Cross
- Top-ranked fundraising speaker/trainer in the United States, Canada and Europe
Why John joined OAI:
"Over the past two years I have advised some of our region's most important nonprofits to use OAI's outsourced development services. These nonprofits have benefited with increased revenue, well-trained volunteers, and futures that are brighter even in tough times. OAI performed with every client...and that made me look good! Thanks, OAI!"
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Richard O. Walker III
A newcomer to OAI, Dick joined our team in 2009 as the leader of our education Track Business. With over 30 years of experience as the Director of Development at the Landon School in Bethesda, MD, Dick is a true expert when it comes to fundraising for independent schools, especially in the DC region. Starting his career as a teacher and school administrator at the Landon School, Dick is now one of the most well-known and well-respected school fundraisers in the area. Dick’s knowledge of the operations and funding needs for schools, paired with OAI’s fundraising and development know-how and dedication is a formula for success.
Quick Facts:
- Established the Corporate Giving program as the Vice President of Corporate Giving for FBR Capital Markets
- Raised over $50M and increased the annual fund from $100,000 to over $1M as the Director of Development at the Landon School
- Began as a Teacher and Administrator at the Landon School
Why Dick joined OAI:
“The talent level at OAI is unmatched, which allows us to provide unparalleled services to clients."
“I love the teamwork and enthusiasm that characterizes OAI from the top down." |
Click here to learn more about Dick and his experience fundraising within the independent school sector. |
Click to learn more about Richard and his experience fundraising for healthcare and patient advocacy organizations.
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Richard L. Gelula
As a long standing Managing Director at OAI and a leading Strategic Consultant for healthcare nonprofits, Richard now leads OAI’s healthcare Track Business. Previously serving as an executive of several nonprofit organizations, and then transitioning into a consulting role with OAI, Richard has excellent nonprofit management and outsourced consulting experience to lead our work with nonprofit healthcare clients and our internal teams to success.
Quick Facts:
- Assisted over 10 organizations raise over $25M as a Managing Director at OAI
- Served as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Sleep Foundation
- Received a Master of Social Work, with a focus in Management, Social Policy and Community Organization
Why Richard joined OAI:
"For more than 15 years -- shortly after OAI was formed -- I have worked with the company either as a client or as part of the OAI team advising nonprofit clients. I have seen the company grow and develop. OAI personnel always provided uncommon creativity and dedication to advancing the interests of their clients. The company has benefited many hundreds of organizations in the nonprofit community in the Northeast, across the country and even around the world. OAI has much to be proud of and it is an honor to continue to be associated with this fine firm."
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What's New: 2009 OAI Retreat |
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 Every summer, the entire OAI team comes together for our annual retreat, and on June 17th our team came together for a full day of activities and team building. This year’s retreat focused on the importance of team work and included activities designed to build upon our core values of entrepreneurial thinking, commitment and efficiency.
The retreat was also an opportunity for Managing Partner, Steve Orr, to report on the state of the company. Steve’s presentation focused on the impact the economy has had on our business and clients, and reviewed our commitment to excellence and entrepreneurship.
The retreat was followed by the annual OAI after party, hosted by Steve and Carol Orr. It is an OAI tradition to give our retreat after parties a theme, and this year was no exception! Carol Orr transformed her home into the perfect setting for an OAI Country Hoedown, and OAI team members came dressed in their best “country attire.” Everyone enjoyed a night of BBQ, country music, and a little southern dancing!
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Meet Our New Clients |
Meet All Our Clients |
Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School
Development and Event Management
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Us TOO
Events Management |
Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home
Development Management
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The William J. Doar, Jr. Public Charter School for the Performing Arts
Board Development
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 As an Associate Director, Rachael Burke has assisted a number of OAI’s nonprofit clients in a variety of areas, including strategic planning, fundraising and development, communications, event management and nonprofit management. Since joining the OAI team in May of 2007, Rachael has had the opportunity to partner with a number of clients including, Youth, I.N.C. (Improving Non-profits for Children), Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care, The Excel Institute, William E. Doar, Jr. Public Charter School for the Performing Arts and Society for Hospital Medicine. While Rachael is actively engaged with OAI client work, she also manages the human resources, new business and marketing efforts internally at OAI.
Q: Over the past two years, your role at OAI has really changed. You were promoted to an Associate Director and given enhanced internal and client team responsibilities! How do you balance it all?
A: It can certainly be a balancing act at times! Every day is different for me, and I am at a huge advantage professionally, as I get to experience, hands on, not only external client management, but internal operational and personnel management as well. Being able to work with such a variety of great people, internally and externally, while managing varying roles and responsibilities, allows me to have a better understanding of OAI, the nonprofit sector, and what it means to be a consultant. As a growing professional, I couldn’t ask for a better role to be in right now!
Q: You’ve been part of the Mary’s Center team since they began their partnership with OAI in October of 2007. What are some of your favorite Mary’s Center memories?
A: I have been so lucky to have been a part of such a wonderful team and incredible mission for almost two years. Mary’s Center has become very dear to my heart, and the work they do for the safety, health and well-being of our community is truly remarkable. It has been an honor to be able to assist in the growth and maturity of their fundraising efforts, and the greatest memories, while not as glamorous as an event or big party, come when our hard work with Maria Gomez, her development staff and Board result in record-breaking fundraising numbers. We’ve raised the bar for Mary’s Center in terms of philanthropic revenue as it relates to direct mail, fundraising events, major donors and corporate partnerships, and I look forward to continuing to work with them in order to raise the bar even higher.
Q: You’ve had the opportunity to work closely with our new Senior Consultants. How will their expertise increase OAI’s ability to help our clients?
A: John, Dick and Richard are truly strategic fundraising experts in their respective fields. As someone who works on both new business generation for OAI as well as client work, I couldn’t ask for better mentors to learn from, and our clients couldn’t ask for better, or more valuable expertise as it relates to strategic planning, fundraising and development. Both OAI and our clients are at an unbelievable advantage being able to work, learn and lean on them for advice every day. I have 100% confidence that our clients, and our staff, will reap the benefits of unmatched success after working with them.
Q: On a personal note, we understand that you were an amazing swimmer in college! Do you still swim?
A: Swimming was such a huge part of my life for over 15 years and instilled so many of the values that have made me a successful professional thus far. I unfortunately don’t get the opportunity to get in the pool as much as I’d like, but I carry the great memories and moments of success with me every day!
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OAI Project Highlights and Recaps |
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The Friends of the National Library of Medicine (FNLM) held its 2009 Annual Dinner on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Homer Building in Washington, DC. The evening was dedicated to the memory of FNLM’s long-time chairman, the Honorable Paul G. Rogers, a renowned health advocate in Congress and beyond, as well as a passionate supporter of FNLM. This special event brought together leaders in health and science to recognize and honor those whose work inspires new advances in public health, particularly in the areas of cancer research and treatment. With over 200 guests in attendance and funds raised that surpassed $100,000, the 2009 Annual Dinner was a tremendous success! |
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The Friends of the National Library of Medicine (FNLM) recently hosted their 2009 Annual Conference: Personal Electronic Health Records: From Biomedical Research to People’s Health. The conference, held on May 20-21, 2009 on the NIH campus at the Natcher Center featured presentations by 25 experts in the field. Representatives from the government, biotechnology companies, health centers and research institutes provided cross-cutting perspectives on this increasingly significant topic. The conference was a great success and presented a comprehensive overview of the critical issues and current standards of practice for electronic health records. |
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The Marriott Foundation partnered with OAI for the tenth consecutive year to manage and produce its 18th Annual Marriott Bridges Recognition Dinner, which was held on May 27, 2009 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. Despite a difficult fundraising environment in the latter half of 2008 and into 2009, the Marriott Foundation raised a total of $830,200, with over 950 guests attending the dinner in support of the Bridges program. The keynote address of this year’s event was delivered by Cal Ripken, Jr., Orioles’ Hall of Famer & Baseball’s Ironman. As an active philanthropist and role model to disadvantaged and disabled children, Mr. Ripken captivated guests with remarks on the power of perseverance and the honor of loyalty. |
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Upcoming Events |
View All Events |
Youth, I.N.C.
The State of the Market Conference and Reception
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New York, NY • September 29, 2009
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American Kidney Fund
The Hope Affair
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Washington, DC • October 6, 2009
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Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care
Noche Tropical
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Washington, DC • October 8, 2009
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Center for Security Policy
Keeper of the Flame Dinner
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Washington, DC • October 21, 2009
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Youth, I.N.C.
Trading Day for Kids
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New York, NY • October 21, 2009
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Washington Animal Rescue League
Mutts Strut
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Washington, DC • October 31, 2009
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Youth, I.N.C.
A Celebration to Benefit New York Kids
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New York, NY • November 16, 2009
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