Our Team
Our work is grounded in deep advancement experience.
Each member of the Advancement Incite team brings firsthand knowledge of fundraising, leadership, and organizational dynamics — and works closely with clients throughout an engagement.
Mary Gene Clavin
Mary Gene Clavin is a fundraising and executive search consultant who focuses on helping nonprofit leaders make better decisions and move critical work forward. With more than 25 years of experience as an advancement professional, search consultant, executive coach and nonprofit board member, Mary Gene brings a unique perspective to her work. She understands the obstacles and organizational dynamics facing non-profit leaders and believes that successful fundraising outcomes rely on motivated, committed and effective team members at all levels. Her background includes a strong history of helping teams position themselves to succeed in a competitive philanthropic environment.
Mary Gene earned a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. She is a member of the Council for Women of Boston College, International Coach Federation and serves on several nonprofit boards including Melmark, Inc., and Anna Jaques Hospital Foundation, part of Beth Israel Lahey Health.
A sampling of recent and current clients include Boston College High School, Perkins School for the Blind, Milton Academy, National Audubon Society, Children’s National Trust, St. John’s Prep, Glen Urquhart School, and Horizons for Homeless Children.
Founder
Hilary Shepard
Hilary has 20 years of experience in fundraising and fundraising consulting. Her work has ranged from campaign feasibility and prospect management systems to donor outreach, proposal writing, and interim director of development work. Clients include Baystate Health, Boston College High School, Concord Hospital, Cradles to Crayons, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, and Keene State College.
While consulting with Keene State College, Hilary was asked to serve as Vice President of Advancement and Constituent Relations, where she led the College’s first-ever comprehensive campaign to completion at 140% to goal, including personally securing more than $10M in gifts.
Previously, Hilary worked as a fundraising consultant at Development Guild, where she focused on fundraising counsel and campaign feasibility work. Prior to Development Guild, Hilary led fundraising efforts for Morgan Memorial Goodwill, and led leadership and annual giving efforts at The Radcliffe Institute at Harvard University and Boston University. Previously, Hilary worked in fundraising communications at Simmons University.
Hilary holds a BA from Williams College and an MBA from Simmons University.