Betsy Bennett Joins CapDev

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Betsy Bennett Joins Capital Development Services as Strategic Counsel

Capital Development Services announces new Strategic Counsel, Dr. Betsy Bennett, of Chapel Hill, who has joined the fundraising consulting and executive search firm as of April 15, 2013.

Betsy brings significant leadership experience to the firm, most recently as the Director of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and formerly with the Triangle Children’s Museum and with Discovery Place in Charlotte, NC. Bennett led the Museum of Natural Sciences to major expansion, record attendance and national recognition. Now the most visited museum in the state, the Museum of Natural Sciences opened its doors in 2000 after Dr. Bennett championed the fundraising for the $71 million main museum. A subsequent campaign for the museum’s Nature Research Center raised $56 million for its 2012 opening.

In addition to service on several nonprofit boards, Bennett has also served as former commissioner of the Accreditation Commission of the American Association of Museums, past President of Association of Science Museum Directors and former board member of the American Association of Museums.

“I am excited to be working with CapDev to assist museums and nonprofits to engage their communities in realizing their visions and educational potential.  I loved working with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and am happy to have the opportunity to use that amazing experience to help other educational institutions,” said Bennett of her new role.

Dr. Bennett’s academic training includes an undergraduate degree in physics and math from Hollins University and a doctorate degree in science education from the University of Virginia. Her numerous awards include the Women in Business Award, Opening Doors Award, The John B. Ross Leadership Award and most notably the 2011 Tar Heel of the Year Award.  She lives in Chapel Hill, and is already working with CapDev client, Kidzu Children’s Museum, there.

In her role as Strategic Counsel, Bennett serves Capital Development Services’ clients across the Southeast as a strategic fundraising and search consultant to all types of nonprofit organizations and institutions, brought in to share her leadership expertise.

Capital Development Services’ President, Allan Burrows, said of the new partnership with Bennett, “We are all thrilled to have Betsy join our team. Having worked closely with her on the museum’s past campaigns, we welcome her firsthand knowledge and wealth of experience in philanthropy. Our clients will greatly benefit from her dedication and commitment to advancing the causes of the nonprofit sector.”

*For more information, see Betsy Bennett’s bio: 

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