Judy K. Anderson — Project Director
Judy K. Anderson, Project Director for Alexander Haas, has been a fund-raising fixture in the Atlanta nonprofit community for more than 20 years. She came to Alexander Haas in 2002 where she helped guide the highly-successful High Museum of Art capital campaign. As Project Director she has also worked on campaigns and with development programs for First Presbyterian Church Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium, the Atlanta campaign for National Infantry Foundation, Georgia AGAPE, DeKalb Historical Society and Piedmont Hospital Foundation’s United Way campaign, among others.
Judy has been a ‘native’ Atlantan for almost 40 years, arriving in the city from the Midwest with her family, and was the first person in her family to earn a college degree: a BA in journalism from Georgia State University. Realizing that she wasn’t ready to be the next Barbara Walters, she moved to Orlando after graduation to work at the new Disney theme park, but the pull of ‘home’ proved too strong and she returned to Atlanta in 1980.
After writing successful grants for individual artists, Judy was Marketing and Development Director for the Center for Puppetry Arts. It was at the center that she worked on her first capital campaign with counsel from Alexander Haas, and was thrilled to receive fundraising tutelage from the legendary Be Haas. After 10 years at the Center, she moved to Alliance Theatre Company where she served as Assistant Director of Development and broadened her development responsibilities. Significant highlights of her nine years with the theatre include writing a $1 million challenge grant awarded by National Endowment for the Arts and the award of a $1 million grant from the Lila Wallace Readers Digest.
With young twins at home, Judy left the theatre to pursue independent consulting and worked steadily with small arts groups to assist with planning events, sponsorships, annual memberships and grant writing, before joining the Alexander Haas Team.
Judy’s volunteer work has centered on her children’s activities and she is proud to have been a soccer mom, equestrian mom, skateboard mom, chorus mom and lacrosse mom. As a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Judy serves on the Atlanta Chapter’s Education Committee as well as volunteers for National Philanthropy Day. Her newest venture is being a member of President’s Toastmaster Club of Cobb County and as a volunteer for Atlanta Celebrates Photography.
Virginia M. King — Office Manager
Virginia King serves the Firm as Office Manager and, in addition, is responsible for all accounts receivable and payable. Her duties enable her to be in personal contact with most of our clients on a regular basis.
Virginia brings over 20 years experience in nonprofit management to our team, so she has a true understanding of the challenges faced by those we serve. Prior to joining Alexander Haas, Virginia was with the American Red Cross/Metro-Atlanta Chapter, where she was responsible for the development of their Strategic Alliance Program, working with some of the largest corporate entities in the Atlanta area. Taking this new program from concept to reality, Virginia provided the expertise and management skills necessary to see the program become a viable addition to the Development Office at the Atlanta Chapter.
Virginia also served in executive management positions with nonprofit programs including Director of Senior Services with the City of Gainesville, Georgia; Executive Director of Haven House Hospice Foundation; Executive Director for National Episcopal Coalition on Alcohol and Drugs; Director of Family Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta; Assistant Director, Episcopal Charities Foundation of the Diocese of Atlanta; and Executive Director of Greater Bridgeport (Connecticut) Community Energy Bank.
Kathryn Kuykendall — Project Coordinator
Kathryn joined Alexander Haas in order to focus her career on working with nonprofits. As a Project Coordinator, she supports each aspect of client projects and ensures that communication flows between Partners and clients. Kathryn graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2008 with a Bachelor's degree in Human and Organization Development. Her undergraduate studies focused on business development and organizational effectiveness, which has prepared her immensely for her role in working with Alexander Haas' clients and their campaigns.
Throughout college, Kathryn was involved in volunteering with her sorority's local philanthropy, the Monroe Carrell Junior Children's Hospital at Valderbilt, as well as participating in fundraising events for its national philanthropy, the Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital. She spent a summer interning with the Munroe Regional Medical Center Foundation in Ocala, Florida, where she gained knowledge and an interest in working with nonprofit fundraising and development. Since moving to Atlanta, Kathryn has been an active member of the Friends Junior Committee, a group of young professionals who raise money for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. She currently serves as a committee member of the FJC Marketing and Communications Committee. Kathryn is also a volunteer for the Vanderbilt University Comodore Recruitment Program (CoRPs) as an Alumni Interviewer for the Atlanta area.
Kathryn also enjoys running and yoga, cooking and trying our new restaurants, and keeping in touch with good friends and family by traveling around the country when possible!
Jane L. Scott — Database Manager
Jane serves the Firm as Database Manager. Prior to deciding to work part-time in order to make being a full-time mom her primary focus, Jane was Assistant Editor of the Firm's e-based newsletters, and Editor of the Firm's annual cookbook. Jane served as Co-Chair of the Day of Events Program Committee for National Philanthropy Day 2007.
Jane has a B.S. in Biology at Wofford College, where she worked as a student athletic trainer for the football team. Due to her own knee injury, Jane left the football field for the athletic development office. There she served three years helping to cultivate and fundraise for athletic scholarships, of which she was a recipient.
Jane serves on the Development Committee for Lutheran Towers in Atlanta which provides housing to low-moderate income senior citizens.
Eleanor Simonsen — Project Coordinator
Atlanta native, Eleanor Simonsen, joined the Firm after graduating from The University of Georgia and quickly became inspired by the philanthropic efforts of her co-workers and
the clients served by the Firm. As Project Coordinator, Eleanor is involved in each element of client projects, helping to create a seamless relationship between the local clients and the Firm’s Partners who lead Alexander Haas-Team Atlanta.
Eleanor doesn’t fall far from the philanthropic tree. Her family boasts Atlanta nonprofit board members and fundraisers as well; so she was destined to take her visual arts background and implement it in her work with Alexander Haas. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting and drawing from UGA. While a student, Eleanor participated in juried art exhibitions, served as a member of the Student Art Association and spent a semester studying art in Cortona, Italy. She has spent time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and The Georgia Museum of Art. Eleanor is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of Fundraising Professionals and is also involved with Club Blue, an organization that benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta.
Eleanor spends her time painting and immersed in the art community of Atlanta. She also enjoys traveling and spending weekends at Lake Rabun. She also admits to supporting the Georgia Bulldogs from time to time.
Heather C. Thornton — Project Manager
Heather’s passion for working with and for nonprofits is evidenced in her professional and personal endeavors. She has been a member of the AHM team for over two years, having previously worked at The Southern Center for International Studies.
Heather holds a Bachelor’s degree in German and Psychology from The University of the South. While at Sewanee, Heather was the recipient of the Deutsche-Verband Americhaische Clubs stipend, which funded a year of study in Bavaria. Her experience abroad sparked her interest in nonprofits and international affairs.
In Heather’s spare time, she volunteers with HERO for Children, teaches English to non-native speakers, and is involved with the Southern Center for International Studies and the Junior League of Atlanta.
Heather also enjoys running, international travel, and hiking in the Blue Ridge mountains.