Meet the Coaches
At The Development Dept., our work is led by a team of seasoned nonprofit professionals with more than 50 years of combined experience and over $100 million raised. Tom and ReGina serve as our coaches, bringing deep knowledge, collaborative leadership, and a shared commitment to strengthen the fundraising capacity of nonprofits across all sectors.
Tom Caron
Tom is a nonprofit leadership professional and corporate social responsibility strategist with more than 15 years of experience helping organizations build lasting donor relationships and sustainable development systems.
A proud AmeriCorps alum, Tom holds an MBA from Antioch University and is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) bringing a unique blend of operational skill, strategic insight, and philanthropic expertise.
Tom is known for his collaborative, thoughtful approach that strengthens team culture, elevates donor stewardship, and drives mission-aligned outcomes.
Areas of Specialty
Donor Stewardship & Retention
Corporate Partnerships
Major Gift Strategy (including Planned & Complex Gifts)
CEO–Board–Development Team Dynamics
Donor Advised Funds & Endowments
ReGina Newkirk Rucci
ReGina brings over 20 years of experience raising funds as a grantwriter, major gifts officer, director of development, and executive director. Her leadership spans nonprofits of all sizes, giving her a well-rounded understanding of what organizations need at every stage of growth.
She holds a BFA from New York University, a Master’s in Communications (PR) from the University of Tennessee, and a Diversity & Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University grounding her work in strategic communication, storytelling, and inclusive practices.
ReGina helps organizations strengthen their message, deepen donor engagement, and secure funding through clear, compelling strategy.
Areas of Specialty
Corporate Sponsorships
Special Events
Storytelling
Capital Campaigns
Strategic Planning
Why Work With Our Coaches
Tom and ReGina offer more than technical expertise — they bring empathy, clarity, and a commitment to helping fundraisers and nonprofit leaders feel supported, equipped, and confident.
With their guidance, your team will gain:
Practical skills grounded in real fundraising experience
A clearer, more strategic approach to donor engagement
Increased confidence in asks, stewardship, and planning
A partner who understands the challenges nonprofits face every day
Team ReGina or Team Tom?
We believe the best partnerships start with knowing who you're working with! Before you dive into the serious stuff, have a little fun getting to know us through these playful yet insightful "who would you choose" questions. Curious about our professional backgrounds and what makes us tick? Here's a chance to learn more about our experience, approach, and the unique perspectives we each bring to your organization.
ReGina Newkirk Rucci
Personality Assessments:
Myers-Briggs: ENTJ
DiSC: D (Drive)
True Colours: Green
Enneagram: 8 (Challenger)
Coaching Style:
Direct, analytical, strategic
Fundraising Superpowers:
Matching donors with the right gift opportunity
Developing effective, practical evaluation strategies
Previous Development Positions:
Director of Development, Jacksonville Public Education Fund, Jacksonville, FL
Executive Director, Rocketown, Nashville, TN
Director of Development, Communications & Community Relations, Whitman-Walker Clinic, Washington, DC
Mission Advancement Officer, YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, Washington, DC
Director of Grants & Corporate Relations, YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, Washington, DC
Development Associate - Foundation Relations, National Partnership for Women & Families, Washington, DC
Contract Grant Writer & Project Director, Carpetbag Theater, Knoxville, TN
Assistant Vice President - Community Development, First American National Bank, Nashville, TN
Tom Caron
Personality Assessments:
Myers-Briggs: ENFP
DiSC: i (influence)
True Colours: Blue
Enneagram: 2 (Helper)
Coaching Style:
Active Listener, Deep Prober, Actionable Advice Giver, Nurturer
Fundraising Superpowers:
Donor Experience Journey Building (Donor Stewardship)
Lead vs. Lag Measure Discernment
Event Purpose-setting
Previous Development Positions:
Vice President, Donor Services, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, Jacksonville, FL
Founding Managing Director of Development, City Year Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
Manager, Business Volunteers Unlimited, Baltimore MD
Civic Engagement Manager, City Year New York, New York, NY
Q. Who would bring better snacks to a team meeting?
RNR: Depends. I think Tom would be more likely to bring something healthier. But, if I had been on a baking binge, I think mine would be more interesting.
I once brought an Apple Pie Cake to a team meeting – that’s hard to beat.TC: There would be a spread. I would channel my alter-ego, Martin Stewart, and ensure there was a mix of sweet and savory. There would be 3x more food than necessary, but I will not be accused of letting anyone go hungry. ReGina’s edge would be her home-baked goods – everything I would provide would be store bought but hopefully locally sourced.
Q. Who would organize a more fun team-building event?
RNR: Definitely Tom. And it would be something wild that no one has thought of but takes into account everyone’s personalities and skills, adding a bit of stretch to the mix. I think I would take the trophy with most people for this one, but not Tom.
TC: I am not competitive. Neither is ReGina. *cough*. But I will gladly take the W on this one. The emphasis being on “fun” because I am all about the quirky, outside-the-box, unexpected that ensures everyone is outside of their comfort zone at least momentarily. I think the best team bonding occurs through shared memorable experiences, so why not learn how to Polka together?
Q. Who would give the most entertaining PowerPoint presentation?
RNR: I think I’m more likely to make the actual presentation more interesting, and he’s likely to make the presentation itself more entertaining. But we’re actually pretty fun together.
TC: We are still using PowerPoint? I’d have a canva slides that I would likely not reference and instead just engage the audience. My favorite presentation style is Pecha-Kucha, all images no words and time bound. Lets get the group talking to one another, not listening to me or trying to read words on a slide from the back of the room.
Q. Who would get more people to show up to a fundraising event?
RNR: Good question and one that’s pretty hard to answer. We’re both outgoing personalities who know a lot of people, and we are both laser focused on making targets for an event. I think that would be either of us.
TC: Hmmm. What tactics can we deploy? Is it a competition? Because if you offer the winner a prize, I think ReGina would take the trophy on this one. But again, she is not competitive.
Q. Who would be more creative with fundraising event themes?
RNR: Again, I think we are both really good on this one. Tom could make a good argument for this one, but I think I would beat him out by a hair.
TC: Choo Choo. Nice ReGina. The train has left the station on this one and I’m the conductor.
Q. Who would you rather have as your trivia teammate?
RNR: We both know a lot of random stuff, but it’s different random stuff. This would definitely depend on the categories.
I once brought an Apple Pie Cake to a team meeting – that’s hard to beat.TC: Definitely both of us. We are a team! I’d bring lots of Taylor Swift, history, and world affairs knowledge. ReGina would bring her extensive catalogue of culture, history, and literature and her competitive spirit.
Q. Who tells better stories at a dinner party?
RNR: 100% Tom without a doubt. I have laughed so hard at so many dinners and gatherings we’ve attended together.
TC: But wait until ReGina starts asking hypothetical questions ….
Q. Who would survive longer on a desert island?
RNR: Again, I’m going to say Tom. He’s in much better shape than I am and he drinks more water. I do know how to fish though, so I might have the upper hand there.
TC: I’d die first. I’d do something stupid that ReGina would never consider. I am too trusting of nature – “that berry looks scrumptious.” “Oh and that bear wants to be my friend, he is walking over on their hindlegs to hug me!” *Scene fades to black.*
Q. Who would you rather be stuck in an elevator with for 3 hours?
RNR: Me if you want the strategy for how to get out of the elevator; Tom if you want to really enjoy the three hours while you wait to be rescued.
TC: That is enough time to act out Sister Act (the original is the best)! “As from now and until you leave, you are Sister Mary Clarence.” ” Alma, check your battery”
Q. Who makes you laugh harder?
RNR: Tom makes me laugh all of the time. I hope I provide him with a laugh or two as well.
TC: In her defense, the laughter I induce in others is usually out of sheer exasperation and shock. ReGina will have nicknames for main characters that will have me rolling on the floor.