2024 Advancement Institute | Speakers

Natalie joined CCS in 2011 and has served clients spanning education, faith-based, human service, arts and culture, healthcare, international, public media, and association sectors. She has conducted numerous capital campaigns, feasibility and planning studies, development assessments, annual fund enhancements, and special development projects. Natalie has served as Counsel on campaigns that have cumulatively raised more than $750 million.

Natalie serves on the Board Executive Committee of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) DC Chapter. She was recognized for her work in CCS’s Mid- and South-Atlantic Region with the Dennick M. W. Skeels Memorial Award in 2015.

Natalie earned her Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from University of Delaware. Natalie, her husband Zack, and their son Nathan reside in Reston, Virginia.

Bob Weston brings to CCS 30 years of independent school experience and expertise as an educator, administrator, and fundraiser. Over the span of his career, Bob has held several senior administrative positions, and worked extensively on hiring and recruiting faculty, collaborating on institutional strategic planning, and directing annual, major gifts, and capital campaign fundraising programs.

In his most recent role as associate head for external affairs at St. George’s School, Bob directed the communications, alumni relations, and development offices, while also serving as the school’s chief fundraiser. He spearheaded the school’s From These Walls capital campaign, which raised over $32 million for programs, facilities, and endowment. He also directed the fundraising efforts to raise $3.5 million for the construction of two turf fields, and he helped to grow the annual fund during the school’s capital campaign.

As an experienced fundraiser and school administrator, Bob’s deep knowledge of independent schools’ culture, programs, and fundraising needs uniquely positions him to serve our independent clients well.

Bob received his M.A. in English literature from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English and his B.A. in English from Amherst College.

Allyson brings almost 20 years of experience in fundraising, nonprofit management, and board development to client partners, collaborating in a variety of ways to support growth and success.  With ten years at CCS, Allyson’s work includes interim management, campaign execution, planning studies, development assessments, and capacity building for diverse organizations across social sectors. Her key achievements include heightening campaign performance, securing transformational seven and eight- figure commitments, and implementing successful fundraising initiatives from concept to public phase.

Over her time at CCS, Allyson has served as co-chair of the People of Color/Multicultural Employee Resource Group (ERG) and is an active member of the firm’s DEI working group.  She is also on the DEI subcommittee of CCS’ board of directors.

Allyson is a former board member of the Clemson University Black Alumni Council and the Community Investment Network. A graduate of the Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Program, she also served on the chamber’s board of regents. Allyson volunteers with the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development (US Virgin Islands) around hurricane recovery, community organizing, and building collective leadership for nonprofit organizations. Allyson is a founding member of the Black Alumni Collective and a German Marshall Fellow. Allyson earned a B.A. in Spanish language and international trade from Clemson University, completed the Master dei Talenti program at Fondazione CRT, and holds a master’s from Boston University in arts and nonprofit administration.

Kurt is a senior vice president for CCS where he manages CCS’ South Florida strategic growth initiatives. He works with members of the region’s executive leadership team to identify and implement strategic priorities related to business development, communications, institutional partnerships, and client engagement.

Kurt serves on the National Association of Cancer Center Development Officers’ Benchmarking Committee. This cooperative venture of NCI-designated centers provides the only annual review of cancer center giving trends across the United States. He is a past board member for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Maryland Chapter where he co-chaired the membership committee. Kurt also serves on the Association Foundation Group’s research committee.

Kurt graduated from Loyola University Maryland Sellinger School of Business with a MBA and from Penn State University with a bachelor’s in business management and marketing.