Leadership

Wendy S. Pangburn is an innovative and seasoned executive with over three decades of unparalleled success in creating and implementing international executive programs and advising global clients on good governance, fundraising and executive talent management. Her leadership and expertise in nonprofit and association management and human capital has benefited a host of high profile individuals, as well as, nonprofit, corporate and political organizations.

Specific Areas of Expertise:

Leading Organizations and People toward Greater Potential & Growth
Recruiting Top "C" Level Talent
International Travel Program Development
Membership Recruitment, Growth and Retention
Strategic Planning and International Alliance Building
Philanthropic Fundraising
Managing Profit Responsibility
Developing and Mentoring Teams
Increasing Stakeholder Value
Executive Education Programming
Global Special Event Production Leading Organizational Development and *Change Management
Public Speaking
Assessing and Redesigning Organizational Systems
Building and Maintaining Extensive Travel/Hospitality Industry Relationships

As a former Partner in the Washington, DC office of Heidrick & Struggles, the world’s second largest executive recruiting firm, Wendy led the firm’s executive recruiting efforts in the nonprofit and association arena in the nation’s capital. She has also served as a consultant to Korn Ferry International, the world’s largest executive recruiting firm, and DHR International.

Wendy served for over a decade as Executive Director of Chief Executives Organization, Inc. (CEO), a nonprofit international group of 2,000 chief executive officers and former leaders of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) whose mission is to improve executive leadership effectiveness through continuing education and idea exchange. She worked in over forty countries and produced over 150 international events and conferences.

Earlier in her career, she was one of Washington, DC’s leading special events and fundraising experts. She was the Corporate Affairs Director for the G-7 Economic Summit held in Houston, Texas, the Finance Director of the National Victory Celebration (the Desert Storm Homecoming), and the Director of the American Spirit Pavilion of the Republican National Convention in Houston, Texas.

Wendy has managed numerous annual fundraising and award recognition programs for organizations such as the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum (SAAM) and the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars. She held significant roles with the State funerals of both President Ronald Reagan and President Gerald Ford. She served as the Executive Director of the U.S. Congressional Commission to study the potential for an American Museum of Women's History.

Wendy also has Capitol Hill experience having raised funds for many national and statewide campaigns and national party organizations. She has traveled around the globe supporting the Office of White House Presidential Advance.

She is currently Chair of the Harvard University Kennedy School Alumni Board. She has also founded a national nonprofit (www.jewelryshopformom.org) that supports children from lower income households while learning valuable life lessons.

An active leader in the trade association arena and a strong proponent of continuing education and travel, Wendy earned her CAE (Certified Association Executive) through the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). She is an avid contemporary art collector, photographer and traveler. To date she has traveled to over 100 countries.

Wendy earned Bachelor degrees in Economics and Art from Bucknell University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.