After an exhaustive effort in search of a top candidate, Sound Mental Health recently announced that fundraising and community development professional, Tresa Thomas Massiongale, CFRE, joined the executive team as its new chief development officer.
Officially starting at the agency in April 2015, Thomas Massiongale leverages more than 20 years of progressive nonprofit executive experience to the position and is expected to greatly impact SMH’s community and fund development efforts.
“We believe the appointment of someone with Tresa’s background and credentials is opportune,” said David Stone, Ph.D., CEO of Sound Mental Health. “With community attitudes about mental illness evolving, coupled with SMH’s increasing role as a leader in the behavioral health field, we believe that now is optimal to enhance Sound Mental Health’s development efforts. Tresa’s strategic approach to development and relationship-building will prove instrumental and advantageous to us in the years ahead.”
A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), she has expertise working with foundations, private wealth advisors, corporations and principal donors, resulting in more than $32 million raised throughout her career to date. In her role as Community Development Officer, she will oversee the organization’s communications, marketing, community relations and fund development initiatives.
Prior to Sound Mental Health, the Issaquah, Wash. resident held diverse research, community relations and fund development positions with prestigious organizations including Alliance Medical Center in Healdsburg, CA, the Arizona Community Foundation in Phoenix, AZ and the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter in New York, NY. Thomas Massiongale earned her MA degree from Columbia University, her BA from San Francisco State University and has been awarded the Columbia University Mellon Fellowship, the Soros Open Society Fellowship and numerous honors for community mental health promotion. In addition to her background, she is very enthusiastic about working at the agency.
“It’s so enlivening to work with such bright, dedicated people,” she said. “Sound Mental Health’s solid brand identity, strong leadership and persuasive social return on investment makes it just such an appealing organization! We are ripe with partnership and audacious philanthropic opportunity. It’s an honor to work collaboratively to elevate community dialogue about mental health. I am extraordinarily grateful to serve the mission of Sound Mental Health.”