Education Luncheon: Fundraising With and Through Your Board
Your Board Wants to Help –
Show Them How!
Most nonprofits know their board should play a role in fundraising—but what that actually looks like can feel unclear, and sometimes even uncomfortable.
This conversation is about making it simpler and more effective.
We’ll talk about how to engage your board in a way that feels authentic—where members can open doors, share your story, and support fundraising without feeling like they’re being asked to sell. Just as important, we’ll focus on what Executive Directors should be doing to set their boards up for success—creating clarity, building confidence, and making it easy for board members to participate in meaningful ways.
We’ll also hear directly from board members and nonprofit leaders who are doing this well. They’ll share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what it really looks like to partner together to move fundraising forward.
We’ll cover:
- What fundraising really means for board members
- How to get everyone on the same page
- What Executive Directors can do to better support and guide their boards
- Ways board members can help without feeling awkward
- How to make fundraising a shared effort, not a point of tension
At the end of the day, your board already cares about your mission. This session is about helping everyone show up in ways that actually make a difference.
Our Presenters:
Lorraine Gibbons – Executive Director at Cardinal Shehan Center & McGivney Community Center
Lorraine Gibbons is the Executive Director of the Cardinal Shehan Center and McGivney Community Center in Bridgeport, CT, where she has served since 2019, expanding programs that support more than 4,500 children annually. She previously spent nearly 14 years as Director of Development at the Cardinal Shehan Center, building a strong foundation in fundraising and nonprofit leadership.
Lorraine brings a diverse professional background in finance, corporate relations, and banking, along with extensive experience working with and through boards. She currently serves as Board Chair of Amistad Academy and is actively involved with several regional organizations, including the Bridgeport Regional Business Council and the Barnum Festival.
A recognized community leader, Lorraine holds an MBA from the University of New Haven and has completed executive education at Harvard Business School. She is the recipient of numerous awards honoring her leadership, service, and impact across the Bridgeport community.
John P. Malfettone – Board Chair, Cardinal Shehan Center
John P. Malfettone is a seasoned executive who has spent his career helping organizations grow stronger, operate more effectively, and navigate change with confidence. With experience spanning general management, operations, procurement, and finance, he brings both strategic insight and a steady, thoughtful approach to leadership.
Over the years, John has developed deep expertise in financial oversight, including accounting, audits, regulatory compliance, and private equity. He is known not just for his technical knowledge but also for his ability to bring clarity to complex challenges and lead with a calm, practical mindset.
As Board Chair of the Cardinal Shehan Center, John is proud to support an organization that plays such an important role in the community. He is deeply committed to its mission and works collaboratively with board members and staff to ensure the Center continues to grow and serve those who rely on it. John believes in leading with integrity, listening first, and keeping the focus on what matters most—the people and families the Center supports.
Beth Coyne – President and Head of School, Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall and Board Member
Elizabeth (Beth) Coyne has spent more than 30 years in education across both public and private schools and currently serves as Head of School at the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall.
She began her career in advancement as Assistant Director of the Annual Fund at the University of Rhode Island, where she built a strong foundation in fundraising that continues to inform her leadership today.
Beth has extensive experience working with and through boards, having served on multiple board committees and as President of Madison’s Scranton Memorial Library Board, where she helped lead a successful $15 million capital campaign and renovation.
At Lauralton Hall, she champions the critical role of philanthropy in advancing the school’s Mercy mission—educating young women and empowering them to realize their full potential.
Siobhán Walsh – Founder and Principal, Fluency Marketing & Lauralton Hall, Board Member, Advancement Chairperson
Siobhán has over 20 years’ experience leading strategic marketing and communications initiatives. She has held roles in corporate marketing, business development, alliance management, and operations…and even a stint in finance and accounting to realize that effective communication has always been her passion.
Throughout her career, Siobhán has managed complex projects, global teams, and million-dollar budgets. The agency she founded 10 years ago is sought after by tech companies who need a sharp mind and practical approach to solve their most complex challenges. She regularly rolls up her sleeves to build content, marketing partnerships, corporate communications, and organizational muscle her tech clients need to meet their sales goals. She serves as CMO and strategic advisor to an early-stage sales technology start-up and is often asked to appear and speak at tech industry events to support women in technology and business.
A proud graduate of Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Siobhán majored in Communication Arts and was a Division I athlete on Villanova’s medal winning Women’s Rowing team. She earned her MBA as a graduate fellow at Mercy University and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member where she has been recognized for her excellence in teaching.
She continues to be rewarded by longstanding involvement in causes for which she cares deeply. Siobhán is a member of the Board of Trustees at Lauralton Hall, has been a “big sister” for Bigs & Littles NYC for 20 years and serves as an alumni liaison for the development efforts for Villanova’s Women’s Rowing.
Register today as events sell out quickly.
Thank you to Our Sponsor:
TBD
Details
Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
12:30 PM Registration and Networking
1:00-2:30 PM Lunch and Program
Location: Oakhill Mansion – Located on the grounds of St. Philip Parish, 1 Father Conlon Pl, Norwalk, CT 06851
Luncheon Fee
AFP MEMBERS – $35
FUTURE MEMBERS & GUESTS – $40
