Kathleen A. McDermott

Business Development Manager and Director of Nonprofit Advisory Services

Kathleen is our business development manager and director of Nonprofit Advisory Services. In her business development role, she helps create and implement strategies to grow the firm in its three service lines. With decades of experience in nonprofit management, she also assists clients with strategic projects in the areas of fundraising, planning and governance. Kathleen is an advisory member of McKinley Carter's Tax & Legacy Specialized Practice Group.

Licensing and Education

Master of Arts Management Carnegie Mellon University
Bachelor of Fine Arts Dickinson College
Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) (Inactive)

Accomplishments and Honors

Kathleen completed Commonfund Institute’s Endowment Institute program at the Yale School of Management. In 2019, she received the Sharp Shooter Award from West Virginia Executive Magazine. She has also been recognized in Ogden Newspapers’ "Face of the Future" and was a member of The State Journal's "Generation Next: WV's 40 under 40.” In 2024, Kathleen was recognized as a "West Virginia Wonder Woman" by WV Living Magazine for her many personal and professional contributions to the Mountain State.

Community Involvement

Kathleen serves on numerous boards including the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, the Wheeling Landscape Commission (chair), and the W.E. Stone Foundation.

Selected Recognitions

2019: Kathleen McDermott, WV Executive Magazine Sharp Shooter Award

Selected Resources

The Savvy Video Chat Series_Episode 4

Kathleen’s Articles

Nonprofits

The Pitfalls of Year-End Giving: 6 Things Donors Need to Know

As the calendar year draws to a close, charitable giving often surges. Many nonprofits ramp up their fundraising efforts, knowing that the holiday spirit, tax incentives, and personal reflection prompt individuals to give generously. While donating at the year-end is a powerful way to make an impact, it’s not without challenges. To ensure your contributions have the desired effect, it's crucial to understand some common pitfalls of year-end giving — and how to avoid them.

Nonprofits

“Alright, Stop. Collaborate and Listen”

The title of this blog is meant to catch the attention of all those who grew up in the 80s. This is one of the first lines in the debut song "Ice Ice Baby" by American rapper Vanilla Ice. While Vanilla Ice's song doesn't have anything to do with nonprofit collaboration, the words stop, collaborate, and listen do resonate when it comes to opportunities for nonprofits to collaborate with their community. Learn more.

Nonprofits

Endowments 101: Three Most Common Endowments and How Nonprofits Use Them

The term “endowment” is often used loosely and in reference to an organization's investable assets. However, there are distinct differences among endowments depending on their purpose and use. Learn more.

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