Summer Dean has more than 15 years of fundraising experience, primarily in educational nonprofits in the Pittsburgh region. Since joining Advancement Advisors in 2016, Summer has guided clients to success by conducting comprehensive fundraising audits and feasibility studies, developing strategic fundraising plans and providing effective campaign management. Summer’s first professional position was as a sales manager at Pepsico, Inc., the global food, snack and beverage company. After five successful years, Summer was drawn to pursue a career that would enable her to positively affect people’s lives. Quickly learning her new profession, Summer began her fundraising career as a Development Officer at The Neighborhood Academy. Rising to the level of Director of Development, Summer created and led cultivation strategies to increase giving in all areas. While there, The Neighborhood Academy successfully engaged in a $10 million capital campaign. Although she left the organization before completion of that campaign, she served an integral role, both in providing fundraising counsel support and leading the annual fundraising effort during the campaign. In 2011, Crossroads Foundation tapped Summer to lead their fundraising efforts. During her tenure as the Director of Development, she greatly increased giving in all donor categories by conducting annual prospect evaluation and developing cultivation/solicitation strategies. Summer successfully implemented fundraising strategies and processes that stabilized the organization’s annual dollars raised. Summer is a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business management, and she is a member of the African American Development Officers (AADO) Network. Summer received her accreditation as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) in 2020. She also serves as Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for Foster Love Project as well as on the Finance Committee of her church, Allegheny Center Alliance Church.