Chime R.

Costello
773.573.5102 | chime@chimecostello.com | she/her/hers

Compassionate, thoughtful strategic and lateral thinker. Servant leader committed to cultivating
organizational alignment through intentional stewardship, ingenuity, and relationship-building.

Organizational Stewardship

Provides a holistic approach to congregational leadership: advancing the mission and vision of the organization,
consensus and capacity-building, financial oversight, development, volunteer and donor stewardship,
navigating transitions, elevating communications, facility management, building an operational inventory,
supporting governance and lay leadership, engagement, programming, retention, ensuring an intuitive
workflow for day-to-day operations, supervision, celebrating and collaborating with a purpose-driven team, and
honoring the organizational culture and lived experiences of the community.

Brings presence, empathy, creativity, humor, heart, foresight, grace under pressure, effective listening and
interpersonal skills, and a commitment to the personal growth of others.

Experience

CONGREGATION OR SHALOM | VERNON HILLS, ILLINOIS

Interim Executive Director, March 2023 – present

Administrative & Human Resources

• Restructured administrative staff roles to align with organizational goals and priorities; hired and onboarded
three employees; encouraged professional development and recognition of individual contributions;
supervised and empowered a staff of seven, prioritizing role clarity, teamwork, and communication; enabled
a collaborative team environment, bringing new voices and ideas to meetings and projects
• Implemented a comprehensive Human Resources and payroll system – BambooHR – which includes both
personnel administration and a payroll system for 10 employees and over 30 teachers
• Analyzed and evaluated existing processes organization-wide to identify gaps and areas in need of
improvement; built and implemented new systems to improve efficiency, accountability, and flow
• Facilitated weekly staff meetings to ensure all necessary information, such as new assignments,
programming/planning updates, and status of regular responsibilities were communicated to and by staff

Finance
• Oversaw an annual budget of $1.4 million; worked closely with the Finance Committee to review AP/AR,
cash flow, profit and loss, and annual reports for 450+ households; ensured that the annual budget was
aligned with the needs and values of the organization, allowing for flexibility, creativity with constraints, and
the reevaluation of all restricted funds
• Restructured the self-directed dues model and reimagined all communication around finance to strengthen
messaging, transparency, and recognition that added value for members; exceeded membership goal
commitments by over $90,000
• Updated and streamlined administrative processes for efficiency and accountability; created systems for
collections, transparency for the Board, and established national visibility for grant opportunities
Membership & Engagement
• Engaged with over 200 individual members of the congregation about their membership commitments,
including all major donors and those on consideration, to share organizational goals, strengthen
relationships, and prioritize retention; increased new member commitments by 95% YoY
• Advanced programming efforts by identifying goals, required action, and the staff and volunteers needed
for success; established a Heart of House volunteer group and the infrastructure to support their work
• Leveraged my photography, graphic design, and writing skills to create compelling, contemporary, and on-
brand materials and congregational communications
• Collaborated with clergy, senior staff, and lay leadership about opportunities for outreach, inclusion,
community impact, and to deepen a sense of belonging for every member

Facility Management
• Managed the day-to-day operations for a two-story facility of over 21,000 sq. ft; assessed the infrastructure
and capital equipment needs, supervised an extensive walkthrough to determine minor and major areas of
repair and maintenance
• Oversaw all security needs including health and safety measures, equipment, training, and personnel;
worked closely with law enforcement; responsible for timely response during times of crisis
• Identified opportunities to use the facility to generate revenue as a rental space, revised all rental policies

CONGREGATION BJBE | DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS

Executive Director, July 2020 - February 2023
Executive Assistant & Communications Manager, May 2007 - May 2017

Administrative & Human Resources

• Restructured administrative staff roles to align with organizational goals and priorities; hired and onboarded
six employees (both administrative and maintenance staff); encouraged professional development and
recognition of individual contributions; supervised and empowered a staff of ten, prioritizing role clarity,
teamwork, and communication; enabled a collaborative team environment, bringing new voices and ideas
to meetings and projects

Finance
• Oversaw an annual budget of $4.3 million; worked closely with the bookkeeper and Finance Committee to
review AP/AR, cash flow, profit and loss, and annual reports for 900+ households
• Advanced and supported fundraising efforts and oversaw the spring gala, raising over 300% of the
fundraising goal for the year; established a fund to allow for inspired giving toward innovation
• Restructured the self-directed dues model and reimagined messaging; brought the number of households
paying under the suggested minimum from 42% of the congregation to 23% YoY
• Reviewed fundraising and grant history and advanced a successful fundraising plan; cultivated strategic
partnerships and donor relationships to further future development goals

Project Management
• Established and facilitated an Engagement Task Force, with representatives from each segment of the
community to vision and reevaluate communications and programming, allowing for an inspired, grassroots
approach to working collaboratively; cultivated and developed future leaders and volunteers
• Assisted an outside IT team in assessing, upgrading, and supporting the ever-changing needs of the temple
landscape, including cabling and hardware, and the installation of new cameras and equipment
• Led the fundraising effort during the last year of the Senior Rabbi’s 19-year tenure; along with a Search
Committee, oversaw the rabbinic transition for the congregation
• Leveraged my photography, graphic design, and writing skills to elevate communications; responsible for
creating compelling, contemporary, and on-brand materials through established channels and as visual
t’filah; analyzed various communication modalities and invited feedback to explore their effectiveness
Membership & Engagement
• Acted as the first point of contact for prospective members, initiated and led tours, communicated with
them regularly to share events and programs, and established a plan to welcome them in their first year
• Engaged with over 300 individual members of the congregation about their membership commitments,
including all major donors and those on consideration, to share organizational goals, strengthen
relationships, and prioritize retention
• Created and implemented several successful multi-generational and inclusive community-building
programs and events to encourage in-person attendance

Facility Management
• Managed an expansive facility of over 70,000 sq. ft
• Executed the timely implementation of grant-funded security projects totaling $150,000
• Worked closely with the Building and Grounds Committee to assess and identify the infrastructure and
capital equipment needs; oversaw an extensive walkthrough to determine areas of repair and maintenance
• Identified opportunities to use the facility to generate revenue as a rental space, revised all rental policies
• Oversaw all security needs including health and safety measures, equipment, training, and personnel;
worked closely with law enforcement; responsible for timely response during times of crisis
• Implemented enhanced safety measures during the pandemic and enabled a seamless transition as the
building reopened, including a successful High Holy Days experience for over 3,000 community members

Education
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership, summa cum laude
Omicron Delta Kappa, National Leadership Honor Society