EDUCATION

• Graduate hours from Kent State University and Cleveland State University
• BS in Education, double major, English and History, Ohio State University
• Supplemental training courses in Non-Profit Management, Marketing, Labor Law, Worker’s Compensation Rules, Financial Policies and Procedures, Hospice and Palliative Care

CERTIFICATIONS

• Certified by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization as a Hospice Administrator

WORK HISTORY

• Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center, Executive Director June 2002 to June 2012.
• Lifescape Community Services, Rockford, IL, Associate Director, Marketing and Fund Development, November 1999 to October 31, 2001.
• Winnebago County Council on Aging/Protestant Community Services/Cornerstone Resources, Rockford, IL, Executive Director, May 1993 to October 1999.
• Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Rockford, IL, Meeting Sales Executive, January 1991 to May 1993.
• Independence Village, Rockford, IL, Marketing Director, May 1986 to October 1989.
• Cleveland and Euclid Public Schools, Special Education Teacher, 10 years.

PAST AFFILIATIONS

• Former President, Rockford Civic Newcomers
• Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce, former Ambassador
• Rockford Kiwanis
• Board Member, Winnebago County Council on Aging

¨     Association of Fund Raising Professionals

• Leave a Legacy Marketing Committee
• United Way Volunteer Center Steering Committee
• Presenter and panel member for classes and seminars at Rockford College, Rock Valley College, and Center for Non-profit Excellence
• Legislative/Regulatory Committees, Illinois State Hospice, and Palliative Organization

CURRENT AFFILIATIONS

• Secretary, Board of Directors, Rockford Aquarium
• Board Member, Power District Educational and Cultural Charitable Foundation.

Carol A. Bennett retired as the Executive Director of Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center the end of June 2012.  She held that position for ten years.  She has been an Executive Director and Associate Director for two other local not-for-profit service organizations

Carol’s strengths lie in administration, organization, volunteer and personnel development and strategic thinking and planning.  Over her 20+ years in not-for-profit management, Carol has successfully demonstrated her ability to lead, manage and grow the organizations she has been entrusted to lead.

She believes in the value of partnerships and is a proven leader in creating partnerships as evidenced by her leadership in merging three not-for-profit companies into one over the course of six years.   She is a visionary who is always looking forward and encouraging boards of directors and staff to conquer the challenges of the future while embracing the successes of the past.

Carol firmly believes in and practices the value of organizational evaluations.   She practices thoughtful and thorough self-evaluation using the results to develop organizational plans for the future.   Carol places high importance on the quality of the services her organizations provide.  She insists on stakeholder and client satisfaction surveys and self-evaluation by her staff.

Carol is also a community volunteer and over the years has served as a Kiwanian and as a board member.  She also has offered her expertise and opinions on city-wide task forces.  For the past three years, she has served on various committees of the Illinois Hospice and Palliative Organization.  Currently, she is Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Rockford Aquarium.  This is a brand new venture whose mission is to bring an aquarium to the Rockford region.  Carol has presented her expertise in non-profit management, marketing, and services to service and social groups, Rockford College, University of Illinois Public Health classes, Rock Valley College adult students, and the Center for Non-Profit Excellence.