It is hard to imagine that anyone has had more of an impact on Lick Wilmerding Than Director of Development Nancy Kehoe. Kehoe, who will be leaving Lick at the end of this year, is largely responsible for, among other things, the existence of our new new building, raising money to support the school’s budget (including support for Flex Tuition), and the continual growth of the school. In addition to these more tangible achievements, Kehoe has been a beacon of positivity, kindness, and support within the larger Lick community for twelve years.
Kehoe is head of the development department, and her main job is to raise money for the annual fund each year. This involves building relationships with potential donors, such as parents, grandparents, and alumni, as well as working closely with the board of trustees and the administrative team.
Kehoe grew up in New York and went to the College of Wooster, where she majored in communication. In 2008, after meeting with former head of school Al Adams, she decided to come and work at Lick. Kehoe, who loves kids and has focused her career on helping them, was excited to raise money at a school with such a strong commitment to flex tuition. She began working at Lick in January of 2009, and remembers watching Obama’s inauguration on her first day. “It was incredible,” she said.
It is no coincidence that donations to the school have increased every year since Kehoe’s arrival. Nearly everyone interviewed for this article mentioned how her friendliness, talent, and love for the school makes her an invaluable worker and a wonderful friend.
Head of School Eric Temple explained how Kehoe’s belief in the school’s mission and interest in what students are doing allows her to talk to donors with authenticity. Associate director of development Brian Driscoll added that “a great development person is someone who totally believes in what she is doing, and she does.”
Kehoe, who is a regular at sports games and school concerts, loves talking to students. Driscoll said that kids often drop by her office to talk with her or ask her for advice. Sophia Casey 21’, who is part of Kehoe’s advising, said, “Nancy has been a super supportive advisor, always trying to get us engaged and having fun.”
Kehoe believes that her biggest achievement at Lick has been the construction of the new building. All in all, this process took four years and involved working with the board of trustees to create a master plan before going out and raising the money — a whopping $28.1 million in total. Kehoe and her team first developed the “case for support,” a presentation meant to convince donors to make a pledge. She then held countless meetings, where, along with Temple, she would talk with potential donors.
Driscoll emphasized how in major building projects, there are often slow periods when morale is low. However, he said, Kehoe always stayed positive and encouraging. “She was a driving force in making the building a reality,” Driscoll said. “She helped us secure a level of funding that Lick had never had before.”
Lick parent and president of the Lick-Wilmerding-Lux Alumni Board Alex Hochman said that part of what makes Kehoe such an effective fundrasier is her ability to make development seem fun. “And asking for money is not fun,” he added.
Hochman said that Kehoe can cultivate this positive atmosphere because she is “really fun, really energetic, and yet simultaneously really laid back in the best way possible.” Hochman explained this sentiment, saying that talking with Kehoe never feels like a chore. Rather than dreading a conversation about development related issues, Hochman looks forward to talking with Kehoe. “That is really rare,” he said.
Kehoe goes to many events and meets with lots of potential donors. But, according to Hochman, “she understands that people feel great about Lick when they get to see students in action.” Similarly, Driscoll talked about how grandparents and alumni really love to hear about the school and the kids, and Kehoe is the perfect person to tell them about it.
When I asked her what she liked most about her job, Kehoe had trouble picking a favorite. “I really like a lot of aspects of my job,” she said. Kehoe enjoys working with her team, “a good group of people who collaborate really well,” as well working with the board of trustees; “it puts my brain into a more strategic place and I find that really interesting.” Kehoe also said that raising money for a tangible cause is very satisfying. Each donation makes her happy, and she still celebrates a little every time someone pledges a gift. But her favorite part of Lick is the students, who she described as a “fun engaged group of people”.
Kehoe came to Lick planning to stay for 5 years; she stayed for twelve. “It has been a good run,” she said. “But I’m ready to move on.”
Kehoe feels like she has done a lot for the school, and that it is in a good place. After finishing the building campaign, she met with Temple and told him she had decided to leave. Temple was not surprised at her departure, but he was nevertheless saddened.
Though she hasn’t yet settled on a plan for the future, Kehoe would like to become a consultant. That might mean helping nonprofits raise money, teaching development directors how to be good team managers, or organizing professional growth opportunities.
Everyone I spoke with expressed both sadness about Kehoe’s departure and congratulations for all her hard work. Casey said, “I will miss Nancy so much next year, and I wish her the very best of luck!” Driscoll, who has worked with Kehoe for four years, said that he is “happy for her to start a new chapter.”
“I’m sure some organization would be very lucky to get her,” he said. “And I know that the greater community all wishes her the best.”
