The Naval War College Foundation (NWCF) is pleased to welcome Cathleen Coyle as our new Chief Development Officer. Cathleen will work closely with President & Chief Executive Officer CAPT George E. Lang, Jr., USN (Ret.), to expand the Foundation’s footprint nationally and increase support for the NWCF and U.S. Naval War College (USNWC).
“I am excited to join the Foundation team under the leadership of CAPT George Lang, Chairman Daniel Holland, and the amazing Board of Trustees,” said Cathleen. “I am looking forward to the work ahead.”
Since joining the Foundation on November 1, Cathleen has already traversed the United States. She attended the Sentinel of the Sea Award Gala in New York City on November 3, honoring Secretary John Lehman, Jr., 65th U.S. Secretary of the Navy. On November 8, she joined several NWCF guests on a Distinguished Visitor embark aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in San Diego, CA.
Cathleen brings over 20 years of professional fundraising, leadership development, and nonprofit management experience. Her career has focused on raising capital support for financial aid, research, and teaching to help solve some of the world’s most pressing educational, economic, and social challenges. She worked at Yale University, MIT, and Harvard Kennedy School in her most recent roles, leading development teams to become more innovative and transformative in campaign strategic planning and execution.
Cathleen has raised over $200M during her tenure in support of scholarships that benefit underserved populations and leadership development programming. In addition to her significant capital fundraising efforts, Cathy has been directly responsible for helping development teams redefine and successfully implement long-term initiatives and fundamental changes in the direction and successful outcome of their strategic planning.
“Cathleen is an experienced and highly qualified development expert and will be an outstanding addition to our great organization,” said CAPT George Lang. “We are in a transformative period at the Foundation, and I look forward to working together to advance the missions of the NWCF and USNWC.”
Cathleen has a special connection with the U.S. military as the daughter and granddaughter of U.S. Army and Navy veterans. She has served as a critical fundraising consultant to veterans, members of Congress, and candidates for President. As an integral part of her commitment to the advancement community, Cathleen has designed and overseen leadership development programs to train the next generation of public leaders. In addition, she has extensive international experience, with previous positions in Europe and the Middle East and service on domestic and international advisory boards.
Cathleen graduated from Boston College, where she double majored in political science and communication studies. She has taken additional graduate courses in international studies and government at Harvard University. She resides in the Boston area with her husband and three children.