EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Chicago Sunday Evening Club
Director of Development

The Chicago Sunday Evening Club seeks a dynamic fundraising professional who will be instrumental in creating a robust culture of philanthropy by providing overall leadership for development efforts, with a special emphasis on securing individual major gifts, to ensure achievement of annual and multi-year fundraising goals and objectives, according to priorities set by the President and Board of Trustees.

Our Mission: Steeped in a rich history of bringing together people of many different faiths for a weekly ecumenical service dating back to 1908, the Chicago Sunday Evening Club is one of America’s premiere resources for interfaith content. The Chicago Sunday Evening Club's 30 Good Minutes television program is weekly broadcast through the Chicago PBS station and an award-winning website that features some of the leading voices in religion, as well as the stories of everyday people whose lives reflect the rich tapestry of religious life in America.

Your Mission can be Supporting Ours: The Chicago Sunday Evening Club seeks an innovative, entrepreneurial professional with 5-8 years fundraising experience and a proven record of success in soliciting major gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations. A track record in personally raising significant funds annually from a variety of sources is necessary. Management experience and demonstrated success with budget preparation, planning and resource management are also required. A passion for the mission of the Chicago Sunday Evening Club is essential. A bachelor’s degree is required and preferably, an advanced degree. The Chicago Sunday Evening Club is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds. Search managed by Heather Eddy, CFRE, President and COO, Alford Group Executive Search. To apply, candidates should submit their information online at http://ag-es.kintera.org/applicant. Questions about the position can be directed by email to Stacy Harker, Consultant, at sharker@alford.com.

ROBERT BLACK, President, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Producer, pursued a career in business after graduating from Wheaton College (Illinois) with a major in economics and a minor in music, but it was music that first brought him to the Chicago Sunday Evening Club. From the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, while working as a Senior Account Manager at NCR corporation and Vice President of a small business in the Chicago area, he was a member of the Chicago Sunday Evening Club Chorale. In 1987 he left the business world to join the Chicago Sunday Evening Club staff as Executive Director and Producer and became President and CEO in 1994. Mr. Black did graduate study in non-profit management at the University of Illinois (Chicago) and studied television production at Columbia College. He completed a two-year program at the Academy of Spiritual Formation in 2001. Mr. Black is a member of the Religion Communicators Council (national treasurer 2001-2005) and the Faith & Values Media Member Council (Secretary/Treasurer 2005-2006). He lives in Chicago and is an active member and lay leader at St. James Episcopal Cathedral.

TERRY BRACKNEY, Associate Producer and Executive Assistant, has been with the Chicago Sunday Evening Club for over ten years, first in a part-time capacity and then full-time since 1995. A graduate of the University of Illinois, he continued his education in the health care field and, prior to joining the CSEC staff, served as a health care professional for almost 20 years. As Associate Producer of 30 Good Minutes, Terry works closely behind the scenes with our program guests, assists in coordinating all facets of production, and oversees closed-captioning of the program. His association with the Chicago Sunday Evening Club has provided an enjoyable learning experience in the world of broadcast media as well as an enriching and gratifying second career in this unique television ministry. 

The Rev. DR. LILLIAN DANIEL, (co-host) is Senior Minister of the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where she has served since 2004, following eight years as Senior Minister of the Church of the Redeemer, in New Haven, Connecticut. Lillian has taught preaching at Yale Divinity School and Chicago Theological Seminary and is a writer for the “Biblical Preaching Journal” and the “Christian Century Magazine.” Her new book, “Tell It Like It Is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony,” is the story of how God moves in the local church when people speak about God's presence to each other.

DAVID PAUL McKINNEY, Development Assistant , and the newest member of our staff, was born and raised in the Chicagoland area where he spent countless hours involved in the life and ministry of the inner city church his family attended. After high school, David moved to the Twin Cities of Minnesota where he attended college, served in various leadership roles on campus and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business with a dual emphasis in management and ethics. While in Minnesota , David also volunteered in local church ministry and with organizations such as the United Way , Junior Achievement and Habitat for Humanity. After spending several years working in management for Wells Fargo Bank and U S Bank, David moved back to Illinois where he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Religion, worked for Target Corporation and continued to be actively involved in area churches including serving as the Interim Minister for a Presbyterian church. He and his wife Kristine have been married since August of 2000 and together they enjoy live theatre, dining out, traveling, bicycling and playing tennis.

REV. KATHY DALE McNAIR, Field Producer, graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois with a concentration in radio, television and film. She received a Masters of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, and was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 2000. Her work with Chicago Sunday Evening Club began in 1996 where she eventually moved to full time staff producer to produce the “spiritual journey” and “reflections” segments currently seen on 30 Good Minutes. Additionally, she is Director of Community Outreach, as she finds new and relevant ways the program or segments can benefit churches, hospitals and schools. Kathy resonates with live performance, photography, family gatherings and travel in her busy life. Kathy is married with three young adult children and lives in Winnetka.

MARY ANN MEAD, Accountant, is a native of Houston, Texas and moved to Chicago with her parents at the age of seven. At ten years old she began singing as the youngest member of the choir of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in South Chicago. Mary Ann attended Bowen High School and graduated from the American Conservatory of Music, with a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice. She was a professional singer in Leo Sowerby’s choir at St. James Cathedral, sang opera roles, and worked for the IRS before joining the Chicago Sunday Evening Club office staff in 1973. Mary Ann joined the Chicago Sunday Evening Club Chorale the same year and sang on the broadcast for over 25 years. She is the mother of Elizabeth and the proud grandmother of three.

DANIEL PAWLUS, (co-host) is an actor, writer, and producer who joined 30 Good Minutes as a co-host in 2005. He has appeared on stage in Broadway touring companies, hosted a gardening show on HGTV, and appeared in numerous television commercials. Daniel is a member of Old St. Patrick's Church in Chicago, where he sings in the choir. He and his wife Leanna are happy to be residing in the Midwest after years of living on the coasts.

LYDIA TALBOT, (co-host) has been a host on 30 Good Minutes since 1992. She is Executive Director of Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries, which produces Sanctuary on ABC Chicago and Different Drummers on CBS Chicago. Lydia serves on the boards of The Christian Century, Chicago Bible Society, and the Chicago Sunday Evening Club, producers of 30 Good Minutes.

KHIEM TRAN, Webmaster, joined the Chicago Sunday Evening Club staff in 1985. He is the developer and designer of our award-winning website and Reflect e-newsletter, and is also our staff photographer and in-house video editor. Khiem attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and holds a B.F.A. degree in Film/Video, Photography and Holography from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago.