Director of Development
Debi Gillette (she/her) received her Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University, and Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Northern Illinois University. For more than 20 years, Debi has served donors and non-profit organizations in the Chicagoland area, including Brookfield Zoo, Advocate Aurora Health Charitable Foundation and Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Her areas of expertise include growing successful fundraising programs that include individual and planned giving, building donor portfolios, board development, campaigns, and special events. Debi believes that the donor connection with charities they love is sacred. She brings a personable and authentic manner to benefactor relationships, working with diligence and positivity to help them meet their philanthropic goals. She is a longtime member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, where she has served as a board member. When she’s not working you can find her on nature hikes, cooking, reading, and living a grateful life with her husband, Shanon, and two adopted daughters, Amy and Ella.