Catherine Day
Senior Counsel

Catherine brings more than 17 years of fundraising and development communications experience to her role at the Alexander Ross Group. Prior to joining the firm, Catherine directed strategic communications for Development and Alumni Relations at Columbia College Chicago for 6 years. At Columbia she spearheaded the development and execution of comprehensive multichannel communications plans for both major gift donors and the annual fund, including a historic milestone campaign of alumni giving and reviving the college’s inaugural gala in 2022. She was the department liaison for campus partners to create campaigns for various audiences to increase alumni engagement, promote fundraising initiatives, and enhance the reputation of the college. In her tenure she also built and maintained the department website, increasing donations and engagement with a donor-centric focus.  

Catherine graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Saint Mary’s College and began her fundraising career at the Art Institute of Chicago where she led the corporate and foundation partners program while supporting the broader development team during the Campaign for the Modern Wing, raising more than $400 million. From there, she moved to the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, strategizing the corporate partner program and sponsorship for museum events. 

Catherine also served two years as Annual Fund Director at Chicago Waldorf School, exceeding annual giving goals while leading the strategy for a $6 million Capital Campaign to purchase a new building. She led both fundraising and marketing communications, managed the board of trustees, and worked closely with campaign counsel to execute all aspects of the initiative.