Event
What Makes an Effective Charitable Board in 2024 and Beyond?
Wendy Wilsker has dedicated her entire career to the non-profit sector, serving in leadership roles within charitable organizations and working alongside them as an executive recruiter and consultant. She excels at identifying the unique challenges and opportunities non-profits face, and partners with senior leadership to build successful organizational structures, teams and advancement programs.
Professional Focus
- Over 30 years’ experience in the non-profit sector as an executive recruiter, senior manager, consultant and front-line fundraiser
- Extensive background recruiting for a range of non-profit organizations including foundations, hospitals, educational and cultural institutions
- Longtime engagement with charitable organizations in various capacities including strategic and organizational planning, advancing resource development, volunteer management and community outreach
Business Expertise
- Chief Advancement Officer at Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Boston; joined agency as Senior Vice President of Development
- Search Director at a global recruitment firm specializing in development and institutional advancement professionals; joined as Search Consultant
- President of WSW Consulting, a firm focused on strategic fund development for non-profit organizations
- Director of Development for Lahey Clinic Medical Center
- Director of Institutional Advancement for The Rashi School
- Director of Development, New England Regional Chapter of the American Jewish Committee
- Campaign Manager for Combined Jewish Philanthropies
Additional Expertise
- Not-for-Profit
- Higher Education
Areas of Expertise
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree from SI Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University
Affiliations & Awards
- Board Member and Co-Chair, Governance and Nominating Committee, Women in Development of Greater Boston
- Board Member, Westborough Amateur Hockey Association
- Member, Association of Fundraising Professionals
- Member, New England Association of Healthcare Philanthropy
- Board Member, Congregation B’nai Shalom (former)
- Board Member, URJ Northeast Camps (former)
- Member, Non-Profit Committee and Membership Committee, The Boston Club (former)
Case Studies
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A New CEO for a New Chapter
A non-profit addressing food insecurity selected a new CEO experienced in change management to navigate post-pandemic challenges.
Orchestrating a 'Picture-Perfect' AVP Recruitment at UCF
In a pivotal phase of growth, the University of Central Florida's Advancement & Partnerships Division partnered with Boyden to recruit an Associate Vice President of Advancement Operations, marking their third collaborative effort. As stated by the SVP of Advancement and Partnerships, here, we share how Boyden orchestrated a "picture-perfect" search to secure a strategic leader pivotal to UCF's advancement goals.
Strengthening Advancement Capacity and Culture Through a Long-Term Search Partnership
With Boyden’s support, Loyola Marymount University built a high-performing advancement team by filling 15 key fundraising roles over five years, strengthening collaboration, continuity, and campaign readiness.
Thought Leadership
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Blog
The High-Stakes Season of Hiring
A clear-eyed look at today’s nonprofit hiring landscape, where heightened risk, talent shortages, and cautious candidates are reshaping how organizations approach retention, recruitment, and long-term workforce strategy.
Blog
Interviewing Truths and Taboos
Discover the dos and don'ts of job interviews from a seasoned recruiter. Learn key truths and taboos to master your next interview and make a lasting impression.
Blog
Destigmatizing Coaching: A Call to Leaders
Explore how leaders can destigmatize executive coaching by reframing it as a strategic investment in growth, performance, and organizational culture rather than a signal of poor performance.
Articles & Papers
MedTech Leadership Succession & Next-Gen Executive Strategy
Discover why MedTech leadership succession is a strategic imperative—and how these companies can build strong, future-ready executive pipelines.
News & Events
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Event
How Boards Select New Directors - A BlueSteps Webinar featuring Boyden's Karen Kosiba Edwards
In the Media
The $400,000 Chief of Staff Is the CEO’s Secret Weapon in the AI Age
As CEOs navigate the growing complexity of the AI era, demand for chiefs of staff is surging as organizations seek trusted strategic advisors who can help leaders prioritize, execute, and solve critical business challenges.
Contact Wendy Wilsker today and let's get started