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Our Team
Gillis Consulting for Arts & Culture partners closely with its clients, acting as collaborative strategists dedicated to supporting the unique needs of arts and culture nonprofit organizations. Our team boasts extensive experience with some of the nation’s leading institutions, offering unparalleled fundraising and communications insights to drive results.
About Susan Gillis Yarad
Founder and President
Susan Gillis Yarad is the lead strategist at Gillis Consulting for Arts & Culture. She is a highly sought-after consultant with extensive experience in development communications and nonprofit management. Susan works closely with organizations, leveraging her keen eye for detail and seamless collaboration with nonprofit teams to execute at the highest level.
Before founding Gillis Consulting for Arts & Culture, Susan held roles as Manager of Board and Foundation Relations at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Director of Development and Communications at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, Senior Editor at Carnegie Hall, and as a subject matter expert and writer for McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Susan also served on the Design in Health Advisory Council at The University of Texas at Austin and led fundraising efforts for New York Road Runners’ Team for Kids.
Susan holds a Bachelor of Music from The University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Music from Mannes School of Music at The New School, and enjoyed a 20-year career as a professional violinist. She also earned certifications in Leading the Future of Work from MIT Sloan School of Management, Novel Writing from Stanford University, and Arts Administration from New York University.
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Stephanie D'Souza | Associate
About Stephanie
Stephanie D’Souza is an experienced grant writer and nonprofit strategist. As the grants manager at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, she secured multiple awards from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Continuing her advocacy for arts and culture organizations, Stephanie recently procured a transformational Connecticut Investment Fund award for the Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford, Connecticut, to renovate and restore the oldest synagogue in the state, adding art education classrooms and updating ADA compliance.
Stephanie brings extensive experience in nonprofit management and has worked for seven years in the publishing industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Delaware, a Master of Communication and Information Studies from Rutgers University, and a grant writing certificate from the University of South Carolina.
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Jessica Lituchy | Associate
About Jessica
Jessica Lituchy is an experienced project manager and writer with extensive knowledge of nonprofit management. She served as Assistant Director of Development at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey and currently specializes in project management and business development.
Jessica is a dedicated runner and an influential community leader. She is the Co-founder and Executive Director of the SOMA Fox Running Club, where she combines leadership abilities with her passion for running. As an RRCA Certified Race Director, Jessica excels in orchestrating innovative fundraising events. One of her most notable accomplishments is spearheading the 10 Days of 10Ks for the MEND Hunger Relief Network, which has raised more than $300,000 in the past six years to alleviate hunger.
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan. Her unwavering dedication to both her professional and personal pursuits highlights her commitment to making a significant and positive impact on her community and beyond.
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Erica Kang | Associate
About Erica
Erica Kang is an experienced editor and arts advocate with a diverse background in cultural and nonprofit communications. During her tenure at IMG Artists in New York City, she worked closely with renowned classical musicians, ensembles, and dance companies, developing a deep understanding of the performing arts industry. Her capacity for crafting compelling narratives continued to evolve as a training and quality control manager for a premier transcription company, serving major news outlets and entertainment industries.
As a developmental copy editor and proofreader at Saddleback Church, Erica refined her skills in curriculum development and storytelling. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence ensure that community and cultural organizations present their most compelling stories through polished copy and effective communication strategies.
Erica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music History from the University of North Texas and brings valuable insight from her background in early music performance. Her combination of artistic understanding and editorial expertise uniquely positions her to help arts and culture nonprofits elevate their presence and engage meaningfully with their audiences.
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Beth Kujawski | Copy Editor
About Beth
Beth Kujawski is an expert copy editor with extensive experience working for a wide range of organizations, from daily newspapers and monthly magazines to marketing agencies and IT consultancies. Her skills provide a crucial benefit for nonprofits, ensuring that donor communications are polished and accurate, ultimately conveying clear and compelling messages to funders.
Her early career comprised roles at the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago magazine, and the Chicago Tribune. The relationships she forged in media provided a foundation that has led to working on a variety of book projects, most notably The Last Lecture, the international best-seller by Randy Pausch and Jeffrey Zaslow, and more recently Three Girls from Bronzeville, an award-winning memoir from Dawn Turner.
Beth holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a focus in nonfiction writing from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has a background in voiceovers and recording, and has volunteered for the Chicagoland Radio Information Service (CRIS Radio), which provides readings of printed materials for listeners with disabilities.
“She was able to discover several grants that the organization had never considered.”
“Susan is a joy to work with on every project. Her communication style is clear and efficient, and her ability to home in on the vision of a project made working with her stress-free. She was able to discover several grants that the organization had never considered and helped us develop our narrative for a complex National Endowment for the Arts application. The grant proposals she and her team completed for us were well written and thoughtfully conceived. I absolutely recommend Susan and the team at Gillis Consulting for Arts & Culture.”
— Summer Fuchs, Executive Director at the Gateway Chamber Orchestra
Inquire About Your Project
Elevate your fundraising strategies and development communications with turnkey solutions from Gillis Consulting for Arts & Culture.