The Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) is pleased to announce that Lynn Divers has joined our team as Senior Philanthropy Manager. In this role, Lynn will function as a front-line fundraiser, while also managing the systems and strategy to help nurture and expand our donor portfolio.
“Lynn has spent her varied career focused on building relationships, such an important part of philanthropy,” says Cristine Nardi (CNE Executive Director). “We’re excited to incorporate her commitment to philanthropy, knowledge of nonprofits, life experience, and joy in service into the CNE team and, most importantly, into our daily work in partnership with our community of strong, resilient nonprofits”
Lynn brings her heart and energy to CNE having served the nonprofit world as the first Director of Development for both a statewide faith-based prison ministry and a national childhood cancer foundation. Prior to that, Lynn spent more than a decade behind bars as the original chaplain to Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, located just outside Charlottesville. The career change was necessitated by the tragic death of her young daughter, Alyssa, to cancer. With lots of support, Lynn was instrumental in starting The Alyssa House (Charlottesville) and served on the Board.
“I am drawn to CNE’s model of servant leadership,” Lynn says. “After my Alyssa’s death, I was not able to tend grief in others while overwhelmed with my own. Instrumental in building a different (yet still relationship centered) career, I actually took classes at CNE. I know, personally, how valuable this resource is – not just to the community, but also to our friends and neighbors who find themselves called to serve our community.”
In her 21st year teaching dancing at a local studio, don’t be surprised to catch her tapping through her day. When not working, she cherishes spending time with those she loves, especially her surviving daughter, Lexie.