Hi, I’m Celia.

I’m a strategic storyteller and fundraising communications partner working with mission-driven organizations to help their work be understood, supported, and sustained.

I bring over a decade of experience across the arts, education, social justice, and healthcare nonprofit sectors, supporting organizations in securing funding and communicating their impact with clarity and care. To date, I’ve helped raise more than $2 million through grants and fundraising campaigns, combining strategic thinking with a deep belief in the power of story.

My work is rooted in an authentic, person-centered approach to storytelling, one that prioritizes the voices, experiences, and dignity of the communities at the heart of your work. I see fundraising not just as a way to secure resources, but as a means of building trust, connection, and long-term support.

My background spans both leadership and hands-on roles, including positions as a Development and Communications Manager and Director, as well as Interim Executive Director. This experience allows me to move fluidly between big-picture strategy and detailed execution, and to collaborate closely with teams navigating the realities of organizational life.

With a foundation in the arts and an MA in Visual and Critical Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I bring a creative and holistic lens to fundraising and communications. I see storytelling as both a strategic tool and a creative practice, one that can hold complexity, communicate impact, and open meaningful pathways for support.

Over the years, I’ve led 826CHI’s most successful year-end campaign, increased institutional fundraising by 85% within a year, and supported a major anniversary campaign and rebrand for the Chicago Women’s Health Center. I’ve also worked across a wide range of projects and organizational contexts, giving me the flexibility to step in where support is most needed.

At the heart of my work is a commitment to supporting organizations that center underrepresented communities, and to telling stories that are ethical, thoughtful, and grounded in care.

I would be honored to support your organization in securing funding and telling its story.

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