Our Co-Founders
Mary Moss and Susan Ross have built the largest firm of its kind in the Triangle over the past decade, large enough to handle major campaigns but with the hands-on, locally based knowledge and experience a diverse client base needs for success. Their strong reputation is based on their business acumen, knowledge of our community’s issues and trends, and high-quality consulting work. Each had over 30 years of professional experience when they founded moss+ross in 2009, motivated by their deep desire to support the nonprofit community in the place they have called home for their entire lives.
Partner and Co-founder
Mary brings deep knowledge, contagious enthusiasm and a wealth of experience to each engagement. Clients value how she guides the firm’s careful assessment of needs and goals in the context of providing services that are significant and cost-effective. Mary’s wise counsel is rooted in her professional experience prior to co-founding moss+ross, when she was known as one of North Carolina’s leading independent school fundraisers. A Raleigh resident, she is an active community volunteer. More
Partner and Co-founder
Susan brings exceptional skills, honest optimism and proven experience to each engagement. Clients value how she sets standards for the firm’s capabilities in envisioning opportunity alongside a strategic approach to practical solutions – always important in the nonprofit world. Prior to co-founding moss+ross, Susan had a successful fundraising career with Duke University in academic fundraising, athletics, annual giving, and other areas. She is an active volunteer in her native Durham community. More
Our Officers
Three long-time associates lead the firm’s operational areas as well as client consulting engagements. Each has been part of the firm’s grown for a decade or more.
President
Kim Glenn brings extensive knowledge of the region’s philanthropic community to her work with moss+ross. She has worked in fundraising for more than a decade, specializing in the areas of donor identification and research, prospect management, proposal writing, and board development. She spent the majority of her career at Duke University where she was Director of Prospect Research and the University of Louisville where she was Director of Development for the College of Business. More
Vice President, Corporate Services
Kate Hearne manages new business for the firm, tailoring the moss+ross suite of services to fit the unique needs of each client. Kate has been with moss+ross from the beginning, helping Susan and Mary launch the firm in 2009. She has 14 years’ experience in fundraising counsel for capital and annual fund campaigns. More
Vice President, Talent
Lizzy Mottern is a nonprofit development professional with experience in membership and annual giving programs, donor management, events, and working with board members and volunteer committees. Prior to joining moss+ross in 2012, she was Assistant Director of Development at Duke University Libraries. As Director of the m+r interim solutions division, Lizzy matches experienced affiliate contractors to temporary staffing needs of area nonprofits. More
Our Team
When clients hire moss+ross, they are matched with a hand-picked team of dedicated professionals who have strong track records in fundraising and related fields. The team’s expertise has contributed to the growth, professionalism and effectiveness of the nonprofit community in central North Carolina. Each member of the moss+ross team is committed to helping clients achieve long-term growth and sustainability.
Associate
Vince Bayyan is a proven development professional with a 30- year track record of success in the areas of leadership and organization resource development. He joined moss+ross as an affiliate consultant in 2021, and as an Associate in 2022. During his professional development career, Vince has secured over $5 million dollars in funding from grants, corporate sponsorships, and targeted donor campaigns. More
Associate
Kristina joined moss+ross in January of 2023. She is a nonprofit development professional with more than 20 years of experience. Her diverse career includes work in campaign management, strategic planning, major gifts, database management, annual giving, and alumni relations. Kristina loves to analyze fundraising goals and opportunities from different vantage points and work with teams to creatively build actionable strategic plans to exceed goals. More
Senior Associate, Director of Faith Communities
The Reverend Dr. Wesley F. Brown is the director of faith communities programs at moss+ross. He joined the firm in 2017 following retirement from a 36-year career in fundraising with the Divinity School at Duke University, his alma mater, where he served as both director and associate dean. He is an adjunct faculty member teaching annually with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana University. More
Senior Associate, executive search lead
Emily Bruce joined moss + ross with more than 20 years of leadership experience within arts and cultural institutions. She has extensive fundraising experience cultivating corporate partnerships, creating annual fund structures and executing mission-focused events. She enjoys strategic planning and developing strong board relationships to advance the mission of organizations. More
Senior Associate, Director of Operations
Chuck Fyfe is the Director of Operations for moss+ross and also works with clients on executive searches, strategic planning, and organizational assessments. Chuck spent 26 years with Progress Energy primarily focusing on planning and performance, serving as Director of Strategic Planning and Market Research, Director of Corporate Planning and Budgeting, Manager of Advisory Services and Director of Corporate Performance. More
Senior Associate
Mike has 36 years of experience as an educator, having served as the Head of San Francisco Friends School after a long tenure as Head of Carolina Friends School in Durham. His leadership experience runs the gamut from crisis management to fundraising to team building. The focus of his work includes executive coaching, strategic planning, fortification of leadership teams, and conflict resolution. More
Senior Associate
Elizabeth Hopkins has expertise in conducting development assessments, feasibility studies, campaign planning and goal setting, campaign counsel, annual fundraising planning, building prospect portfolio and pipeline development, and major gifts coaching. Prior to joining moss+ross, she was the Senior Major Gifts Officer for Duke Medicine Development, where she specialized in annual fund and major gifts planning, faculty engagement in fundraising and building prospect portfolios and communication strategies. More
Senior Associate
Brooke Jenkins helps nonprofits execute successful annual and capital campaigns, develop visionary strategic plans, and recruit leaders who will raise the profile and funding needed to be sustainable. She joined moss+ross in 2013 after several years working in healthcare system fundraising and a prior career practicing law in Scotland and Hoke Counties. More
Senior Associate
Bill Ingram brings extensive experience in public higher education to moss+ross. He spent more than thirty years at Durham Technical Community College, including serving as the institution’s fourth president from 2008 -2020. Bill’s leadership roles at Durham Tech and in the Durham community bring a valuable perspective on the importance of community partnerships in supporting accessible educational opportunities. More
Senior Associate
Michael Lowder joined moss+ross in 2022, after retiring as the Executive Director of Artsplosure – The Raleigh Arts Festival. In addition to serving as Executive Director for 25 years, he was also the CFO and the agency’s primary development officer. Artsplosure presents its namesake arts festival each May and First Night Raleigh on New Year’s Eve, and it provides logistical and programming support and consulting services to other organizations. More
Associate
Cameron Mize is a nonprofit development professional with experience in annual giving, donor stewardship, volunteer management, marketing and communications, and database management. In 2019, Cameron became an affiliate contractor with moss+ross’ interim solutions and in 2022, she joined the moss+ross team, continuing to support interim solutions as an Associate. More
Associate
Mary Jane Morrow joins moss+ross with thirty-five years of university administrative experience in support of fundraising, alumni affairs, executive searches and related academic projects. Mary Jane’s career was spent at Duke University, primarily serving as Special Assistant to the Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development. More.
Senior Associate
Jeanne Murray helps clients tell stories that connect their mission with the people who care about it. Jeanne works on campaign messaging, case statements, impact reports, and communications and marketing plans. She joined moss+ross in 2013 after a career in software development and marketing with IBM in Research Triangle Park, N.C, where her focus was on global technology, marketing, and client engagement. More
Senior Associate
Patrice Nelson specializes in leading organizations through periods of transformation, drawing upon more than 25 years of leadership experience within nonprofits and communities of faith. Patrice brings experience in organizational assessment, leadership development, conflict resolution, fundraising, human resources, program development, performance measurement, and fiscal management. She joined moss+ross in 2016 after seven years as Executive Director of Urban Ministries of Durham. More
Senior Associate
Ann Simpson is an experienced communicator and fundraiser who works on feasibility studies, executive searches, and capital campaigns. She joined moss+ross in 2013 after 16 years as Associate Dean for Development at the UNC School of Government, where she received the Chancellor’s Award in 2006, and 20 years in development and communications with state and national nonprofits. More
Senior Associate
Juliellen Simpson-Vos has more than 25 years of nonprofit executive experience in a variety of sectors including education, health care and youth development. Prior to joining moss+ross, Juliellen spent 12 years with Girls on the Run, a national girls empowerment organization, serving as both the executive director of Girls on the Run of the Triangle and then joining the national organization to lead their council development team. More
Associate
Deborah Thompson brings more than 15 years of experience in university and education fundraising, volunteer management, campaign strategy and prospect research. Deborah joined moss+ross in 2019, as an interim solutions affiliate contractor, after extensive campaign experience at UCLA Anderson School of Management, UCLA School of Nursing, and Ravenscroft School. More
Associate
Denise Tolley is an experienced advertising and marketing copywriter. She joined moss+ross in 2010 as a communications associate after a career in agency work and as a freelance writer. Denise has enjoyed several interim staffing opportunities with moss+ross and is also involved with the firm’s executive search work, report and presentation editing, and client newsletter. More
Associate
Liz Wilkerson joined moss+ross in May 2022 in the interim solutions division where she immediately began helping with executive searches. She has assisted with searches for the United Way of North Carolina, Habitat for Humanity Wake Co, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and NC Aquarium Society, among others. She has a background in banking and cost analysis, where she worked closely with many non-profit organizations.
Senior Associate
Kathryn Williams joined moss+ross in 2016 and has 30 years of experience in non-profit fundraising, grant writing, prospect research, case and marketing materials development, event planning, and consulting. Kathryn specializes in helping her clients identify and prioritize prospective corporate and foundation donors, develop effective engagement and solicitation strategies for potential donors, and submit grant proposals.
Subject Matter Experts
A select group of nonprofit professionals who will be able to provide strategic expertise to focus areas that we would like to grow more fully.
Subject Matter Expert
Sandy is a nonprofit communication professional, with experience in writing and editing for both print and web; podcasting; social media; project management; crafting communication plans; and strategic planning. She uses her communication expertise to boldly share the stories, missions, and work of organizations across the globe. More
Associate/Accountant
Sallie Grubb handles both the financial and personnel functions for moss+ross. She became a Certified Public Accountant in 1988 and six years ago opened a bookkeeping practice: Sallie Jones Grubb Accounting and Bookkeeping Services. She joined moss+ross in January 2020. Sallie is active in the Raleigh community and is especially interested in nonprofits. More.
Subject Matter Expert
Dave joined moss+ross as a Subject Matter Expert in 2022 after a successful three-decade career as an independent school and nonprofit leader, positioning him as a founder, innovator, and program developer. Through his work at moss+ross, Dave aspires to help organizations thrive within the context of their unique mission, vision, and values. More
Subject Matter Expert
Jim Roberts comes to moss+ross after serving Duke University for over thirty years. As Executive Vice Provost for Finance and Administration from 2002 to 2018, Jim coordinated financial planning and oversight for Duke’s non-medical schools as well as major academic support functions, including undergraduate financial aid. He has collaborated with five Duke Provosts and worked closely with four Duke Presidents on strategic planning, budgeting and financial analysis. More.
Of Counsel
A select group of executive-level professionals are available to offer strategic counsel, sector-specific insights and unique skills for client engagements.
Of Counsel
Allison Haltom brings three decades of experience in board management and fundraising to her work for moss+ross. She retired in 2008 as Vice President and University Secretary at Duke, where she managed the Board of Trustees and led numerous significant searches for Duke. Allison has served on many nonprofit boards including UNC Asheville, the N.C. School of the Arts, Durham Academy, The Hill Center, and The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation. More
Of Counsel
Sandy Roberts brings more than 35 years of fundraising experience as a senior manager and frontline fundraiser to moss+ross. Her skills include major gifts, planned giving, annual giving, stewardship, event management, board development, and volunteer engagement. Sandy came to moss+ross after five years with Penn Medicine Princeton Health, and prior, major gifts team leader for Columbia University’s Arts and Sciences during the public phase of a $5 billion University-wide campaign. More
Of Counsel
Fred has served the Triangle region of NC for more than three decades in his capacity as a social worker, fundraiser and consultant. He joined moss+ross in 2010 and led more than 50 of the firm’s executive searches. He also works on development assessments and feasibility studies. More
CORE BELIEFS
We are proud that our clients say they are stronger after our time together, and we remain invested in their success long after our engagements end.
Our team is dedicated to client success. We listen respectfully, assess carefully, and offer honest solutions to help clients achieve their goals.
We care deeply about relationships. We are dedicated to building long-term client relationships through personal attention, unquestionable integrity, proven experience, and services that are significant and cost-effective.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion. We work to create open and equitable environments by embracing these values within our firm and through our hands-on work with community partners and clients.
“I appreciate all the work from you and the team. I am a believer in goal setting now!”
“We wouldn’t be where we are without the planning that went in on the front end and your help along the way to get the campaign to this point.”
“The leadership at Beth Meyer Synagogue cannot thank moss + ross enough! moss + ross team members provided expert and continuous counsel to facilitate the launch and management of Securing Tomorrow, a special campaign to grow Beth Meyer Synagogue’s endowment. They became our trusted partners and steered us with thoughtful care to help generate campaign momentum.”
“There are not enough words to express how much working with you and Susan has meant to me as a volunteer with MOW. I am really excited for the platform moss+ross created for us to move forward strategically. It is a milestone for this organization and something you should be proud of as consultants.”
“moss+ross has delivered true value for both the capital campaign and our Executive Director search. We ended up with our number 1 candidate and kept to our goal deadline! It certainly helps to have a team with experience and the macro view of our agency. And it’s always a joy to work with you.”
“I wanted to tell you how thankful we were to have moss+ross and Fred and Emily, in particular, as the team working on our search for a new ED. The team was outstanding in their responsiveness and professionalism. They were skilled and worked with speed. My highest compliment is that they made it look like a team working with us and not two entities. Truly co-creation.”
“moss+ross worked to make the Executive Director search inclusive of many candidates and specific to our organization. They kept us informed at every step and offered valuable insight during the process. We hired a terrific ED, who also felt well informed during the hiring process thanks to moss+ross.”
“An incredibly special thanks to our search firm,moss+ross, who provided exceptional, uncommon concierge service during this thoughtful process that was specific to the unique needs of InterAct.”
“Your fine team has been an incredible resource to Local Start. Thank you so much for your wise counsel. We couldn’t have done it without you!”
“Calling moss+ross was one of the first best steps I took in my new position. The m+r interim staff are experienced and talented, and fit into our culture. The m+r fundraising plan got us through an important transition and gave us a roadmap.The Director of Development that we hired after an extensive m+r executive search has hit the ground running. In each case, moss+ross delivered more than I asked.”
“Newly hired, I was greeted by an energetic volunteer committee (including Mary Moss) dedicated to raising funds for CMS in honor of longtime community leader Tom McGuire. We produced a focused and powerful virtual event with expert help from moss+ross, and exceeded our fundraising goal! m+r had helped CMS develop strategic and fundraising plans, and also placed the interim ED who preceded me, putting us on a path for success.”
“I’ve done a lot of campaigns, and this is the best planned campaign I have ever seen. And our success shows it is working.”