Nicolette Norris
Lancaster
Summary
Seasoned and collaborative finance and management leader with extensive experience in fundraising and strategic planning. Proven expertise in financial forecasting, stakeholder engagement, team-building and project management.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Finance & Giving
Saint James Episcopal Church
Lancaster
03.2022 - 07.2025
- Company Overview: Founded in 1744, Saint James is the largest congregation in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and in the top 1% of Episcopal parishes nationally.
- Directed accounting operations and annual budget process ($1.7 million), multi-year financial planning, and forecasting
- Oversaw payroll operations for staff of over 20. Conducted national job searches, hired employees and administered employee benefits and pension plan.
- Cultivated planned giving and oversaw endowment growth from $6 to $14 million.
- Managed facilities staff and led project management of large capital initiatives.
- Oversaw cash flow management to maintain operational stability and liquidity.
- Collaborated with church leadership on financial strategy and resource allocation.
- Implemented internal controls to safeguard church assets and prevent fraud.
- Reviewed contracts and agreements to ensure favorable terms for the church.
- Analyzed financial data to support decision-making for programs and initiatives.
- Monitored cash flow, prepared monthly financial statements, and analyzed trends to ensure appropriate use of funds.
- Championed the adoption of new technologies and financial systems to streamline processes and improve data accuracy.
Director of Giving and Communications
Saint James Episcopal Church
Lancaster
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Directed all aspects of parish giving, from annual and planned giving to fundraising for special projects and capital campaigns.
- Analyzed multi-year giving trends and predicted future contributed income to set accurate budgets.
- Implemented online and text giving pre-COVID.
- Manager and content creator for electronic and printed communications, online marketing initiatives, media placements, weekly e-newsletter distribution, print and online advertising campaigns, website oversight, social media management.
Director of Giving & Engagement
Saint James Episcopal Church
Lancaster
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Spearheaded digital storytelling initiatives for fundraising by conducting parishioner interviews and managing photography, videography, along with post-production audio and video editing.
- Oversaw and created content and production timeline for new website.
- Headed the Anchorage Breakfast Program, the city’s largest feeding program (120,000+ meals/yr.). Tasks included food donation procurement, facilities management, scheduling security firm and 75 volunteers/week and securing grant funding. Negotiated the transition of the 30 year-old program to another church to make way for new ministries.
- Led national search for music director in 2017
Director of Community Engagement & Grants
Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
Lancaster
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Managed a suite of 7 education programs with a combined project budget of $240K serving over 10,000 people annually, mostly underserved elementary students. Secured new educational partners, maintained prior relationships and served as lead community spokesperson. Added and enhanced programs while containing costs.
- Generated and acquired over $100K annually in competitive grants from private and corporate foundations, state and national government
- Increased financial support by 55% from new and existing regional corporate sponsors
- Photo editing, infographics, promoted programs and events, tracked results.
- Hired and supervised full-time community engagement manager.
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Pennsylvania Academy of Music
Lancaster
2008 - 2011
- Responsible for comprehensive marketing plan and budget for pre-collegiate music school.
- Hired and supervised marketing staff of four and managed front office staff of 6.
- Designed promotional materials such as ads, brochures, posters, newsletters, signage, course books.
- Maintained website - developed and updated content and design in Adobe Dreamweaver.
- Increased enrollment and promoted programs and events through e-blasts, print, broadcast and social media.
- Cultivated relationships with government and community entities to improve collaboration.
Executed individual and corporate fundraising campaigns, increasing financial support.
Drafted grant applications to secure necessary funding for projects.
Coordinated events that strengthened community ties and raised awareness.
Classical Music Correspondent
Intelligencer Journal
Lancaster
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Company Overview: now rebranded as LNP
- Interviewed nationally and internationally known musicians, wrote feature articles on upcoming events for the main daily newspaper in Lancaster PA.
- Reviewed classical music performances on tight deadlines.
Communications Director
YWCA of Lancaster
Lancaster
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Developed comprehensive marketing plan of print and media advertising.
- Served as media spokesperson, arranged feature stories, radio and TV coverage of major events.
- Designed and approved all promotional publications. Revamped all program brochures.
- Redesigned, wrote and produced quarterly publications and annual report.
- Recruited, placed, trained and evaluated all volunteers for Association.
- Helped coordinate large special events, such as the 5K Race Against Racism.
English as a Second Language Program Director
Literacy Council of Lancaster
Lancaster
1997 - 2000
- Created and developed new ESL program, recruited students and volunteers, trained tutors, mentored interns.
- Taught English, family literacy, adult basic education and GED preparation to adults.
- Marketed program through media, social service agencies, shelters, churches, refugee resettlement agencies and schools.
- Designed, wrote, and edited quarterly publication.
Education
B.A. - Rhetoric
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VASkills
- Public speaking
- Teaching/training
- Financial forecasting
- Strategic planning
- Grant writing
- Stakeholder engagement
- Fundraising strategy
- Team leadership
- Data analysis
- Project management
Timeline
Director of Finance & Giving
Saint James Episcopal Church
03.2022 - 07.2025
Director of Giving and Communications
Saint James Episcopal Church
01.2018 - 01.2022
Director of Giving & Engagement
Saint James Episcopal Church
01.2015 - 01.2018
Director of Community Engagement & Grants
Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
01.2012 - 01.2015
Classical Music Correspondent
Intelligencer Journal
01.2006 - 01.2008
Communications Director
YWCA of Lancaster
01.2000 - 01.2003
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Pennsylvania Academy of Music
2008 - 2011
English as a Second Language Program Director
Literacy Council of Lancaster
1997 - 2000
B.A. - Rhetoric
University of Virginia