Lehigh University Young Alumni Council member Ellie McGuire is a New York-based Executive Director with CCS Fundraising, a strategic consulting firm that helps nonprofits meet and exceed their development goals. Prior to her current role, Ellie served the Bethlehem Area School District through the Community Fellowship Program, which led to her continuing her service to the district through a year in Americorps. After that, Ellie lived in Scotland for two years where she earned an MSc and launched a program for student-led social enterprise at the University of Edinburgh.
In what ways did your Lehigh experiences prepare you for, or spark, your life’s work?
EM: Lehigh provided me with the opportunity to experience nonprofit work in a number of different contexts: the United Nations and international NGOs, the Southside Initiative and community garden programming, fundraising through Greek organizations, and the Bethlehem Area School District (through the Community Fellows program), to name a few. My experiences working and volunteering through these contexts eventually led to my year of Americorps service and my ability to help launch a student-led social enterprise service at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Having been exposed to many layers and aspects of nonprofit development and operations helped me land my current job as an executive director with CCS Fundraising, which is a strategic nonprofit consulting firm. We support nonprofits across industries in a wide range of capacities, from establishing development goals to managing and executing campaigns. I would not be here today without the foundational experiences Lehigh afforded me.
What is your favorite story to tell from your time at Lehigh?
EM: I don’t think I can narrow it down to a single story, but I do love to share stories about the amazing people I got to meet or hear speak at the United Nations! I served as a Youth Delegate for four years, the Lehigh-United Nations Partnership Program Intern for six months, and visited the UN dozens of times over the years. From Malala and Jane Gooddall to Elie Wiesel, I was able to experience firsthand some of the most impactful, influential individuals of our time sharing their insight and knowledge with their audiences – not to mention the number of incredible meetings I attended, from summits on the Sustainable Development Goals to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s conferences on GMO policy. These experiences have shaped my personal outlook and have certainly stuck with me over the years!
You’re back on campus, and you’re starving. Where do you go to eat? What do you order?
EM: Deja Brew for the Veg Out sandwich (with chips and pickle!) and iced coffee – they make their ice cubes with coffee so it never gets watered down, which every coffee shop should do. I could eat this every day!
What’s some advice you have for incoming/current students?
EM: Take advantage of all the opportunities to expand your horizons that Lehigh offers. The sheer number of opportunities – from volunteer experiences to study abroad programs – can truly change the direction of your life. Even better, Lehigh can help you find grants and other support to help you achieve your goals, whether that be through a special research project or an internship. Never underestimate the value of having dedicated professors to guide you and provide advice — I still keep in touch with many of the amazing professors I was fortunate enough to learn from at Lehigh! As you’ve surely heard before, your time at Lehigh will fly by, so be sure to take advantage of everything from your first day on campus — don’t wait until your senior year to realize that there is so much more you could have experienced!
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