Location: United States
Member Since:
Jan. 18, 2014
Dianne Thomas
Biography
Dianne Thomas is a nonprofit management and resource development practitioner dedicated to supporting growing nonprofits, and the professionals who lead them, in creating organizational sustainability. Through training, coaching and consultation, Dianne helps them grow a leadership and management culture that supports a strong and successful development program built on sound fundraising practices.
Her 16-year nonprofit career includes posts as development coordinator with The Elaine Clark Center, statewide resource development specialist with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, development director with Trinity Community Ministries and executive director of the Georgia Citizens' Coalition on Hunger. Since 2006 she provided resource development consulting, coaching and training as owner of of Ankhacia Enterprises, LLC and has helped a number of clients including Folade Na Weusi African Dance group, Strength Through Faith Community Center, Youth Builders-Hope Academy and Sights and Sounds Cultural Expo achieve their fundraising goals.
Before her nonprofit career she spent ten years in the fields of journalism, public relations and marketing communications, serving as news clerk and freelance feature writer with the Virgin Islands Daily News, public relations specialist with the University of the Virgin Islands-St. Thomas campus and account executive with Publicity Ink, Corp.
She has served on the boards of The Elaine Clark Center for Exceptional Children and the Southwest DeKalb High School Orchestra Booster Club, where she was a founding member and board president.
She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands and has completed a number of certificate programs in nonprofit leadership and business management including Executive Leadership Program for Nonprofit Organizations (2010) administered by the University of Georgia and Georgia State University; The Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN) Managing for Excellence program (2001); and entrepreneurial programs Plan for Profit (2009) through The Edge Connection at Kennesaw State University's Coles College of Business and DeKalb Microenterprise Institute (2006) through the DeKalb Enterprise Business Corporation.
In addition she has acquired additional professional development in nonprofit management through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute of Organizational Management (IOM) and the Institute for Conservation Leadership. She has participated in numerous resource development trainings through the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Atlanta Chapter) and The Foundation Center (Atlanta chapter).
As a former development director connecting donors with missions that spoke to their life’s purpose, Dianne now seeks to serve as an advocate for NPO leaders who seek to refocus their efforts on donor-centered fundraising and building a culture of philanthropy within their organizations.
“I feel a particular kinship with other professionals charged with facilitating relationships that result in increased resources for their organizations. This is a daunting task even under the most ideal of circumstances (much less these tough economic times) and aware that many of us are starting from already compromised circumstances that leave us frustrated, stressed and considering leaving the profession altogether, I aim to stem the tide of overwhelm and sector exodus by sharing valuable tools, training and counsel. “
Always in search of balance, Dianne is a mother, daughter, grandmother and healthful living enthusiast who finds her bliss through the practices yoga and meditation, running, strength training and pescetarianism (one who eats no flesh but fish). Daily journaling helps keep her life in perspective because, “I have to have written proof of my experiences since I can hardly believe them myself!”
Her 16-year nonprofit career includes posts as development coordinator with The Elaine Clark Center, statewide resource development specialist with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, development director with Trinity Community Ministries and executive director of the Georgia Citizens' Coalition on Hunger. Since 2006 she provided resource development consulting, coaching and training as owner of of Ankhacia Enterprises, LLC and has helped a number of clients including Folade Na Weusi African Dance group, Strength Through Faith Community Center, Youth Builders-Hope Academy and Sights and Sounds Cultural Expo achieve their fundraising goals.
Before her nonprofit career she spent ten years in the fields of journalism, public relations and marketing communications, serving as news clerk and freelance feature writer with the Virgin Islands Daily News, public relations specialist with the University of the Virgin Islands-St. Thomas campus and account executive with Publicity Ink, Corp.
She has served on the boards of The Elaine Clark Center for Exceptional Children and the Southwest DeKalb High School Orchestra Booster Club, where she was a founding member and board president.
She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands and has completed a number of certificate programs in nonprofit leadership and business management including Executive Leadership Program for Nonprofit Organizations (2010) administered by the University of Georgia and Georgia State University; The Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN) Managing for Excellence program (2001); and entrepreneurial programs Plan for Profit (2009) through The Edge Connection at Kennesaw State University's Coles College of Business and DeKalb Microenterprise Institute (2006) through the DeKalb Enterprise Business Corporation.
In addition she has acquired additional professional development in nonprofit management through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute of Organizational Management (IOM) and the Institute for Conservation Leadership. She has participated in numerous resource development trainings through the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Atlanta Chapter) and The Foundation Center (Atlanta chapter).
As a former development director connecting donors with missions that spoke to their life’s purpose, Dianne now seeks to serve as an advocate for NPO leaders who seek to refocus their efforts on donor-centered fundraising and building a culture of philanthropy within their organizations.
“I feel a particular kinship with other professionals charged with facilitating relationships that result in increased resources for their organizations. This is a daunting task even under the most ideal of circumstances (much less these tough economic times) and aware that many of us are starting from already compromised circumstances that leave us frustrated, stressed and considering leaving the profession altogether, I aim to stem the tide of overwhelm and sector exodus by sharing valuable tools, training and counsel. “
Always in search of balance, Dianne is a mother, daughter, grandmother and healthful living enthusiast who finds her bliss through the practices yoga and meditation, running, strength training and pescetarianism (one who eats no flesh but fish). Daily journaling helps keep her life in perspective because, “I have to have written proof of my experiences since I can hardly believe them myself!”
Where to find Dianne Thomas online
Website: http://www.ankhacia.com
Twitter: @ankhacia
Facebook: Facebook profile
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dianne-thomas/6/141/994/
Wattpad: dmarie513
Blog: http://www.ankhacia.com/blog
Twitter: @ankhacia
Facebook: Facebook profile
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dianne-thomas/6/141/994/
Wattpad: dmarie513
Blog: http://www.ankhacia.com/blog