"Connie Isaacson brings a wealth of experience and a habit of success to benefit mission driven organizations. It has been my pleasure to have worked with and observed Connie over nearly two decades of service to a number of organizations. Among her unique talents are an unusual ability to insert complete honesty into the dialogue, seemingly boundless energy, lively curiosity, excellent planning skills, and a dedication to implementation of a plan. She has been a valuable resource to many worthy causes."
Ivan Lyddon
Retired President, Iowa Health Foundation
"Connie is a consummate professional who brings well-developed skills of planning, donor development and community knowledge to the table. I have known Connie professionally for more than 25 years and I continue to be inspired by her leadership, proactive and thoughtful consideration of challenges and unique ideas in moving forward. Her hands-on fundraising success as well as management of the fundraising process is superior and strengthened by her in depth knowledge of our community. Connie works hard and has achieved great success while earning and maintaining the respect of her peers, colleagues and community leaders."
Nancy Bobo, CFRE
Vice President of Development & Marketing, Orchard Place
"The services provided by Isaacson Consulting exceeded my expectations! They were meaningful, professional and reflective of high expertise. Connie Isaacson successfully led an ad hoc committee of board members and staff from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise in a five month strategic planning process. She guided us and kept us on schedule to create a roadmap that included a shared vision and objectives with concrete strategies and tactics. Connie was diplomatic, firm when needed, focused and a pleasure to work with.
Ruth Haus
Living History Farms, Executive Director
"I have never met a more talented development professional than Connie Isaacson and I consider myself fortunate to have worked closely with her. Connie is the type of person who makes you feel like an old friend within a few minutes of meeting her. Yet, her relaxed and welcoming personality is coupled with an incredibly high drive for excellence and a deep passion to make the world a better place. It's nearly impossible not to like Connie and equally difficult not to want to support the causes she promotes."
Heather Starr
North Starr Communications, LLC
“Connie Isaacson’s thoughtful and professional approach, as well as, her intuitive grasp of our audience, needs, and challenges enabled her to develop a comprehensive marketing plan for a major project (the 24th National Veterans Golden Age Games). She met our needs in every way, in addition, she was great to work with… responsive, thorough and timely. I look forward to continuing my relationship with Isaacson Consulting.”
Lisa Christie
VA Central Iowa Health Care, 2010 Golden Age Games Coordinator
"Connie Isaacson provided the best strategic planning process I have been involved with in more than 25 years of non-profit leadership. Our staff and some Board members had been through a couple of lengthy, expensive strategic plans that were impractical for implementation and ended up on shelves. Connie quickly overcame the resulting skepticism, gaining confidence and active participation. She did a great job of keeping us on track with the end result of a meaningful, visionary and workable strategic plan.”
Jim Dietz-Kilen
Living History Farms, Director of Development
"We called upon Connie needing advice in the waning days of a large matching gift opportunity. She brought expertise and creativity
to bear in making suggestions that were out of the box. Her strategy worked very well. We received the grant and couldn’t be happier."
Paul Jones, Director of Development
Central College, Pella, Iowa
"I had the opportunity to work with Connie at the Des Moines Art Center. She was particularly adept at empowering volunteers to take ownership of development goals. Connie's inside experience with a wide range of not for profits gives her an edge when working with clients. She is thorough as well as innovative in delivering ethical strategies for success."
Mary Kelly
Des Moines Art Center, Board of Directors and Development Committee Chair
"Connie Isaacson knows the art of donor engagement. I saw this while working with her as colleagues at Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines. From implementation of one of the state's largest healthcare capital campaigns to hosting multiple grand opening events, Connie shared a genuine passion and ever present positive approach with donors at all levels."
Lynne Yontz
Director of Investor Relations, United Way of Central Iowa
"I have experienced and observed the work of Connie Isaacson for nearly 15 years. I consider Connie a consummate professional, able to relate to a variety of audiences, from Board members to executive directors to donors to volunteers. Connie’s experience in developing fundraising and sustainability plans and executing development programs would be beneficial to any nonprofit organization. In addition, her follow-through and commitment to providing an excellent work product
are unparalleled."
Kristi Knous
V.P. Donor Relations and Community Investment, Greater Des Moines Community Foundation
"Connie Isaacson’s vision and action on behalf of the book sale volunteers was simply phenomenal and we are indebted to her. She found the right person to fund a new facility for the book sale volunteers and having the donor agree was simply an act of genius. Sometimes volunteers need a champion to help make things better, and Connie was surely that champion. She also exemplifies vision, skill and tenacity in getting things done."
Annette Cech
Past Planned Parenthood Board member and Book Sale Chair