Services

We provide services for the entire life-cycle of a project, including the capacity to develop a strategic direction, identify a clear plan of action, set concrete goals, and implement those goals. Whether it is a foundation exploring new ways of making an impact, a business working to build their brand through community relations, or an organization short-staffed in the face of growth or reorganization, Plazak Associates takes on each engagement with enthusiasm, dedication, and a sense of ownership.

  • 20+ years of management, public affairs, and community relations experience
  • Extensive philanthropic and grant making experience
  • Understanding of, and commitment to, urban issues
  • Skill in coordinating large projects and events
  • Years of volunteer leadership with non-profits
Executive Level Management
organizations, special projects and initiatives
Organizational Development & Planning
Event Management
Communications
Group Facilitation

About

Kathy Plazak is an experienced business executive with extensive experience in community relations, philanthropy, government relations, administration and management. Kathy spent over 20 years in the corporate sector, most recently with New England Financial, where she was Vice President of Public Affairs and Corporate Secretary, with responsibility for the company's community relations, charitable giving program, employee voluntarism, and federal, state, and local government relations.

In addition to her professional experience, Kathy has served on a number of non-profit boards of directors. Current and past affiliations include the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Boston AfterSchool & Beyond, the Boston Plan for Excellence in the Public Schools, the Boston Minuteman Council of the Boy Scouts of America, uAspire (formerly ACCESS), and the Institute for Nonprofit Practice (INP).

In 2002, Kathy established Plazak Associates serving corporate, foundation, and non-profit clients, with a focus on hands-on management and planning services.

Accomplishments

  • Served as Interim Executive Director/CEO of non-profit organizations during leadership transitions.
  • Led planning efforts to merge organizations and launch new non-profits, including 501©3 filing, board recruitment, staffing plans, and operational set-up.
  • Organized and managed capital campaign.
  • Identified and recruited volunteer campaign/committee leadership.
  • Facilitated strategic planning processes.
  • Assisted with Board governance plans and procedures.
  • Developed performance management systems; facilitated Executive Director evaluation processes.
  • Directed charitable giving, volunteer, and school partnership programs.
  • Managed large and small scale events and special initiatives.

Clients

Barr Foundation

Barr Foundation

Advised foundation on the creation of a philanthropic prize focused on the environment, including research, facilitation of advisory committee, and management of the prize implementation.
Boston Beyond

Boston's After-School for All Partnership

Led a year-long planning effort involving the city's major funders, after-school providers and intermediaries to develop a citywide infrastructure to support Boston's after-school sector. Resulted in the creation of Boston After School & Beyond.

Boston Globe

The Boston Globe

Served as Conference Director for IDEAS Boston 2004 and 2005, managing all aspects of this innovative event that brings together the region's leading thinkers in a broad variety of fields.
Horizons For Homeless Children

Horizons For Homeless Children

Developed protocols and conducted performance evaluation of Executive Director.
The Hyams Foundation

Hyams Foundation

Conducted outreach to generate a robust pool of candidates for a Program Officer position.
Boston UMass Ideas

IDEAS Boston

Spun off this Boston Globe initiative in 2006 to operate as a non-profit organization and ran all aspects of the event - sponsorship, event production, and program development.
Innocentive

InnoCentive

Provided client development and coordination of service delivery for nonprofit and public sector clients, developed processes and facilitated a wide range of international prize challenge competitions.
isth

International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH)

Served as Executive Director of this 2009 8,000-person international Congress in Boston. Advised and supported Congress Presidents on all aspects of event, supervised the work of Congress Organizer, and coordinated the efforts of multiple volunteer committees.

Provided management support during leadership transition of the Society. Developed and facilitated annual performance evaluation of Executive Director.
Liberty Mutual Insurance

Liberty Mutual Foundation

Assisted with the development of a philanthropic strategy for entering the Dallas market, including research on community needs and outreach to philanthropic leaders.
LISC

Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC)

Assisted with identification and recruitment of executives to serve on the campaign cabinet for $33 million campaign.

Served as Interim Executive Director, overseeing the completion of a strategic planning process and search for permanent Executive Director, and responsible for fundraising, programs, and staff management. 
MassInsight

Mass Insight Corporation

Planning, management, and support of a range of special projects and ongoing initiatives for this consulting and research firm, including assistance with program implementation, research projects, business networks, and special events.

Provided interim management of Mass Insight’s associated organization, the Advanced Cyber Security Center (ACSC) during leadership transition, and supported the search for a new Executive Director.
NASTH

North American Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (NASTH)

Helped launch this regional medical/scientific society, including development of organizational/ legal documents, board formation, and operating protocols; currently serve as Executive Director, responsible for all administration and program support.
strongwomen

Strong Women, Strong Girls

Served as Interim President of mentoring organization with programs in Boston, Pittsburgh and Miami; provided operational leadership, board interaction, and general management during search for new President.
South Cove Manor

South Cove Manor

Served as Interim President and CEO during year-long leadership transition, leading the executive team and overseeing all operational aspects of this 141-bed nursing and rehabilitation facility.

Prior to Interim CEO role, provided communications plans and materials to support South Cove’s move from Boston to Quincy; organization and support of $3 million capital campaign; media, community outreach; development of quarterly newsletter, annual report and other communications materials.

Coordinated a year-long series of 30th anniversary events and initiatives including photo documentary, essay contests, and dinners.

Facilitated Board strategic planning process and governance initiatives. Coordinated and staffed the search for a new President and CEO.
Umass Boston

UMass Boston

Served as advisor for IDEAS Boston as this project was taken over by the university.

School for Global Inclusion and Social Development (SGISD) – Assisted this new graduate school with multiple aspects of an international conference in 2015, including the identification and recruitment of a Host Committee, sponsor development, and audience outreach.

Testimonials

Contact

115 Myrtle Street Boston, MA 02114
617-833-5132 (phone)
Kathy@plazak.com

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