SHALVA, the nation’s first independent domestic violence agency founded to serve the Jewish community, has announced the appointment of Elisa Quinlan as its Senior Director of Development, effective June 29, 2026. Elisa will serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director and lead a comprehensive fundraising program spanning major gifts, individual giving, foundations, corporate partnerships, and events. The executive search, led by KEES’ Senior Project Manager Randi Blasutti and Project Manager Haley Becerril, reflects the successful partnership between SHALVA and KEES.

Elisa most recently served as the Director of Development at Northwestern University’s Block Museum of Art, where she oversaw all development activities and exceeded the museum’s $26 million campaign goal. As a strategic senior leader, she built critical donor pipelines, spearheaded a successful 550-piece art acquisition campaign, and oversaw board recruitment and development.

“We are thrilled to welcome a visionary and committed development leader to our team,” said SHALVA’s Executive Director, Marlene Copeland. “Beyond Elisa’s philanthropic experience, she brings a genuine dedication to advancing our mission and supporting our community, making her a natural addition to our team. We are thrilled to welcome her and thank the KEES team for their rigorous and thoughtful approach throughout the search process.”

Before joining the Block Museum, Elisa served as Director of Development for the University of Illinois College of Medicine. As a major gift officer supporting the university’s $750 million campaign, Elisa led fundraising efforts for the psychiatry and neurology departments. She developed and executed major gift strategies and cultivated relationships with individuals, foundations, and corporations to secure philanthropic support for medical education, research, and patient care.

“I am incredibly honored to step into this role with an organization that does such vital, impactful work in the community,” said Elisa Quinlan. “Knowing that free and confidential resources exist to help people is very important, and I appreciate the unique focus on the Jewish community. I am deeply honored to leverage my development experience to champion this vital work and ensure these services remain accessible to all who need them.”

Elisa holds an MBA from Babson College and a Bachelor’s in Communications from Northwestern University. She is also a member of the Board for Makom Solel Lakeside Congregation.

SHALVA partnered with KEES, a leading executive search firm for nonprofit and public sector leadership, in January to help find their next Development leader. In partnership with SHALVA’s Executive Director, Marlene Copeland, a comprehensive search was launched, and Quinlan was selected from a talented pool of finalists.

“Elisa is an incredibly accomplished leader who brings loyalty and dedication to the communities she serves,” said Randi Blasutti, Senior Project Manager of KEES. “Her sophisticated fundraising approach, paired with an authentic, heartfelt passion for SHALVA’s unique mission, makes Elisa the ideal strategic leader for this next chapter of growth.”

About SHALVA

Founded in 1986, SHALVA is the oldest independent Jewish domestic abuse agency in the United States. An independent Illinois nonprofit (501c3), SHALVA provides confidential counseling, supportive services, referrals, and community education to help break the cycle of domestic abuse and promote safety, dignity, and healing for anyone in need. All SHALVA therapists are Illinois-Certified Domestic Violence Professionals and Certified Clinical Trauma Professionals, delivering high-quality, trauma-informed care. To learn more, please visit https://shalvacares.org.

About KEES

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a certified woman-owned nonprofit executive search firm dedicated to creating diverse teams with dynamic leadership in the nonprofit and public sectors. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including executive search, leadership development, compensation analysis, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.

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SHALVA MEDIA CONTACT: Mandy Hakimi, mhakimi@shalvacares.org

KEES MEDIA CONTACT: Jamie Sheffler, jsheffler@kees2success.com