Gerald Michaud                          
Fairfax VA 22033  |  (703) 731-6109  |  [email protected] 
​
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER  |  STRATEGIC FUNDRAISING  |  PHILANTHROPIC LEADERSHIP
Results-driven development executive with 25+ years of experience leading comprehensive fundraising, major gifts, donor relations, philanthropic strategy, and brand advancement initiatives. Proven track record of generating significant funds through integrated development campaigns, capital projects, cause marketing, and corporate/foundation partnerships. Adept at leading high-performing teams, cultivating transformational donor relationships, and aligning fundraising strategy with mission-driven outcomes. PMP and CFRE certified.
 
Core Competencies
  • Fundraising Strategy & Execution
  • Major & Planned Gifts
  • Capital Campaigns ($20M+)
  • Donor Cultivation & Stewardship
  • Philanthropic Partnerships
  • Board Development & Governance
  • Brand Development & Storytelling
  • Strategic Planning & Change Management
  • Grants & Foundation Relations
  • Direct Response & Digital Marketing
  • Team Leadership & Staff Development
  • CRM & Donor Analytics
 
Professional Experience
 
Arcadian Partners – Executive Vice President 10/01/2024 to current. Fairfax, VA https://www.arcadianpartners.com
Marketing, communications, and fundraising consulting firm specializing in fundraising, digital engagement, brand strategy, and influencer marketing. Focus is on content marketing, thought leadership, and digital storytelling initiatives, increasing audience engagement and donor/member participation.
  • Advised clients on major gift strategies, board development, and brand positioning.
  • Developed and executed high-impact digital and social media campaigns for mission-driven organizations, including the End Hunger Network’s #EndHungerUSA2030 campaign, reaching millions via influencer partnerships and social activation strategies.
  • Provided business development strategy for health and nonprofit sector clients.
 
Veterans Health Administration – Senior Advisor to the Chief of Staff. 8/14/2023 to 9/30/2024. Washington, DC
Oversaw nationwide communications, internal communications, outreach, and public affairs for the largest integrated healthcare system in the U.S. (9M+ enrolled Veterans, 413,000 employees).
  • Led high-impact strategic messaging, content marketing, and digital engagement for national public awareness campaigns, including the PACT Act (largest VA outreach initiative, 3.5M+ new beneficiaries).
  • Developed executive communication strategies and provided media coaching for senior leadership, ensuring alignment with public policy, advocacy goals, and branding initiatives.
  • Managed digital and social media engagement strategies, driving increased online visibility, audience growth, and engagement metrics across multiple platforms.
 
Veterans Health Administration – Executive Director, Office of Communications (Senior Executive Service) 9/30/2019 to 8/14/2023. Washington, DC  
Chief Communications Officer, leading the VHA’s 48-member communications team, overseeing $8M in marketing and communications initiatives.
  • Overall responsibility for planning, managing, and evaluating a broad array of communications services that provided direct support to the Office of the Under Secretary for Health.
  • Directed crisis communications and VA’s COVID-19 health communications response, developing and promoting VA’s plan, updating data and continually reporting to media, Veterans and families, and stakeholders, while creating clear, consistent, and confident communications messages and materials so the entire agency spoke with one voice to all audiences.
  • Directed three national advertising campaigns including a $108M suicide prevention campaign with an interactive website, a $16M VA enrollment campaign, and high-impact vaccine outreach efforts.
  • Led the Emmy-nominated “VHA 75th Anniversary” digital storytelling campaign, featuring a 75-video series that told stories of VHA’s innovation and quality care, elevating brand awareness and engagement.
  • Executed multichannel marketing strategies, incorporating website content, digital advertising, social media, video production, and thought leadership.
  • Led/assisted in VHA/VA culture change initiatives (Sexual Assault/Harassment, High-Reliability Organization, etc.) through relevant, ongoing internal/external communications initiatives and activities.
  • Managed the VHA Communications team to oversee media inquiries (~1,800 annually), create internal messages (413,000 employees), coordinate national and multiple facility social media channels, generate broadcast projects in VHA’s video studio, manage and promote a national volunteer program, and implement long-term campaign planning, while advising the field and internal program offices of plans and initiatives, all while remaining consistent with VHA’s Strategic Plan.
  • Coordinated a network of more than 500 public affairs officers and 250 outreach specialists among VA medical centers and program offices, providing key messaging, collaborative initiatives, mentorship, and career development.
  • Coordinated development of messaging strategies, preparation of officials for Congressional hearings, and writing of testimonies.
  • Created and launched VHA’s PACT Act communications strategy and toolkit for increasing services and reaching out to an additional 3.5 million Veterans now qualifying for health care to treat illnesses related to toxic environmental exposure (estimated 146% increase).
  • Coordinated communications to support VHA’s participation in the White House Cancer Moonshot initiative, reported VA’s landmark long COVID study, spotlighted various VA health care initiatives, and promoted VA’s Million Veterans genetic research registry.
  • Managed projects that won a 2022 Platinum Marcom Award for #VADidThat series of strategic communications campaigns, a 2024 Gold Hermes Award for the Cancer Moonshot Campaign Guide, and a 2024 Gold DotCOMM award for VHA’s online Annual Report.
 
Arcadian Partners – Executive Vice President, Co-Owner 3/2017 to 9/2019. Fairfax, VA www.arcadianpartners.com 
Marketing, communications, and fundraising consulting firm specializing in digital engagement, brand strategy, and influencer marketing. Focus is on content marketing, thought leadership, and digital storytelling initiatives, increasing audience engagement and donor/member participation.
  • Provided strategic communications and fundraising support for Felician University, including a $20 million capital campaign www.felician.edu
  • Managed corporate citizenship and social impact sponsorship programs for Health Net Federal Services (TRICARE provider), as well as rebranding the company post-merger with Centene for the public-sector audience. www.hnfs.com
  • Raised $2.2 million and provided fundraising consulting, public relations, publications, grassroots advocacy and strategic planning for the National Federation of the Blind. www.nfb.org
 
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – Senior Director, Special Projects 10/2010 to 2/2017. Bethesda, MD www.cff.org
Led national cause marketing and fundraising initiatives, resulting in record-breaking corporate sponsorships and digital engagement for this national $4 billion health organization with 76 chapters nationwide.
  • Developed the “Adding Tomorrows” cause marketing campaign that raised $2 million in its first year through corporate partnerships, digital activations, and a point-of-sales campaign with CVS and other partners.
  • Led corporate redesign team for first new branding in 55 years.
  • Coordinated cause marketing activities, online donor engagement, and donor/membership retention, as well as trademark, licensing and compliance issues for the national office and throughout the chapters. Coached 100+ local chapter staff on maximizing fundraising efforts with local businesses. Supported CFF’s national Great Strides events that annually raise more than $30 million in peer-to-peer fundraising through thousands of local walks, national teams, and corporate sponsorships.
  • Enhanced donor database with LinkedIn profiles (title, employer) to determine possible corporate relationships for matching gifts and corporate engagement opportunities.
  • Raised an average of $10 million per year through corporate sponsorships, foundation grants and engagement campaigns. Managed a 3-person corporate development team, while supporting legacy planning efforts, direct response marketing, annual fund development, and major donor stewardship.
  • Facilitated comprehensive year-long strategic planning process aimed at transforming the organization, involving more than 160 participants through mission reframing, objective setting, and strategic action planning folded into the following year’s budget and a five-year implementation plan.  
 
Earlier Career Highlights  
Education and Certifications
  • University of Detroit Mercy (Detroit, MI), B.A., Philosophy and Journalism – magna cum laude
  • University of Detroit Mercy (Detroit, MI), M.A., Religious Studies and Communications
  • Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) – Renewed June 2025 through June 2028
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) – Project Management Institute, License #2213663 (Renewed through June 2027)
 
Awards
  • Direct Marketing Association of Washington, Gold MAXI Award.
  • Direct Marketing Creative Guild West, Gold Pioneer Award.
  • New York International Film & TV Festival, Bronze and Silver Awards.
  • International Association of Business Communicators, Bronze Quill Award.
  • United Nations Peace Medal (U.N. Non-Governmental Liaison Service) “for public education for alleviating world hunger.”
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Service Award
  • Emmy Nomination, VHA 75th Anniversary Series
  • Hermes, Marcom, and dotCOMM Awards for Campaign Excellence
 
Affiliations and Leadership
  • Current Chair, Board of Directors, End Hunger Network
  • Member: Alliance to End Hunger
  • Member: Public Relations Society of America
  • Member: National Eagle Scout Association
  • Judge: American Marketing Association Top Marketer Awards.
  • Judge: PRNEWS, Social Impact Awards and Platinum Public Relations Awards.