Anne de Cossy
Anne started her consulting practice after working with Development Guild/DDI as a project-based consultant specializing in strategic planning, assessments, feasibility studies, campaign counsel and major gift work, bringing over 25 years experience in nonprofit development and management. She has provided her clients with strategic direction in governance, management, fund development, communications and long range planning.
After serving as VP of Development for California Pacific Medical Center Foundation for ten years, Anne returned to New England in 2000 and joined Phillips Exeter Academy as part of the Major Gift team to launch the largest campaign in the history of secondary education. Anne then worked for Dartmouth College to establish the major gift program in support of the campaign for the Medical School and Medical Center.
During Anne's career she has worked with numerous community-based organizations in conservation and human services, and has extensive experience working with the different constituencies involved in fundraising, from campaign volunteers and nonprofit boards and leadership to administrative staffs. Anne has lead numerous organizations through strategic planning, focusing on best practices in fundraising, board/committee development, governance and brought clarity, innovation and progressive thinking.
Anne serves on the Board of Trustees of the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire and shares her home with two golden retrievers who enjoy long walks and hikes. Anne received her B.A. in Communications from Simmons College.
Jamie Forbes
Jamie uses his natural ability to connect with people, his inquisitive nature and creativity to assess clients' needs and create focused plans that are geared towards fulfilling an organization's mission. With a background in building brands like Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin' Robbins, Jamie is an intuitive, strategic thinker.
Jamie managed the development and launch of Coffee Coolatta - currently a $250 million business - and led the $2 billion Baked Goods category as a Brand Manager. As a Field Marketing Manager with Dunkin' Donuts, he managed advertising budgets in excess of $2.5 million and had the highest annual sales increases in the company for six consecutive years.
He joins Opus after serving an interim position at the environmental nonprofit, 1% for the Planet. He currently serves on Board of Trustees for The Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH and is an advisor for a donor-advised fund focused on creating opportunity for underserved adolescents.
Together with his wife and children, Jamie has created a grass roots program that provides books and school supplies to schools on the Caribbean island of Dominica. Jamie received a B.A. in Economics from Connecticut College.
Rebecca O'Brien
Rebecca brings ten years of professional experience to her clients. Her expertise lies in public communications strategies, donor relations, solicitation training, constructing long-range development plans, and designing creative marketing efforts. The majority of her work has been with CCS Fund Raising, aiding unique and diverse nonprofit organizations launch capital and endowment campaigns to raise funds beyond annual needs.
During her career she has acted as a Campaign Director for organizations running campaigns with goals between $1m and $50m, has carried-out numerous Feasibility Studies testing goals between $750,000 and $50m, has conducted several Development Assessments, and served as an interim Director of Major Gifts. Experiences range from working with organizations in the following sectors: arts and culture, religious entities, secondary and higher education, and international aid.
She is currently a member of the Community Campus Child Care (CCCC) Parents Committee, the Portsmouth Zero Waste Committee and is a past Board member of the Portsmouth Historical Society and Development Committee member.
Rebecca is also a competitive runner and triathlete and incorporates her two young daughters in all aspects of her training. She received a M.A. Honors and B.A. in International Relations from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, UK.
