MEET THE STAFF
MEET THE STAFF
PAUL C. MILES
President and CEO
We Raise Foundation
After a 25-year career serving nonprofit organizations around the world, Mr. Paul C. Miles was named President and CEO of We Raise Foundation by its Board of Directors in August 2015.
Paul joined We Raise after serving as vice president for development at Make-A-Wish America in Phoenix, Ariz. In this position, Paul was responsible for all individual and foundation giving, direct mail, digital, annual giving and grants, and planned giving. In addition, he served as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and the Grants Committee.
Prior to his tenure with Make-A-Wish America, Paul spent 22 years with a leading international consulting firm that works with nonprofit organizations on a wide-range of development needs. As campaign director, he helped his clients raise over $1 billion, culminating in a $593 million campaign for Habitat for Humanity International, where he also served as interim senior vice president of development. After serving as a campaign director, Paul joined the management team and eventually became a limited partner with the firm.
Paul graduated from Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill., where he later served on the Foundation Board of Directors and the President’s Advisory Council. He currently serves on the DuPage Foundation Board of Trustees, Downers Grove, Ill., and past board service has included Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, Md.; Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Clubs of Sumter County, and various congregational boards. He has been a frequent speaker and trainer in the field of resource development.
Paul and his wife, Sonja, have three children and live in Naperville, Ill. They are active members of their vibrant community and Paul has served as a coach on many local sports teams. He continues to believe one day he will break par but recognizes the important roles dreams play in his life. Paul is inspired by two things at We Raise: the generosity of its donors and the dedication of its grantees. The chance to bring these two communities together through We Raise is one of the great opportunities of his career.
Shannon Durio
Vice President of Development
We Raise Foundation
Shannon Durio was appointed Vice President of Development for We Raise Foundation in July 2023.
She joined We Raise after serving as Senior Director of Philanthropy at FamilyForward in St. Louis, Mo., since 2022. FamilyForward provides comprehensive therapeutic and educational services to support biological, foster, and adoptive families. Shannon was responsible for helping the organization achieve its annual and campaign fundraising goals through the solicitation and stewardship of donors annually, and through planned gifts and comprehensive campaign gifts. She also launched the first phase of a structured planned giving program for FamilyForward.
From 2019-2021, Shannon was the Executive Director of Prison Performing Arts in St. Louis. In this role, she served as the primary development officer for the nonprofit, which engages justice-involved youth and adults in the arts. Shannon managed grants, corporate support, events, and donor relations and in her first full year of leadership, she increased organizational revenue by 30%.
Throughout her 16-year fundraising career, Shannon has also held fundraising and marketing positions with the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition in Brentwood, Mo., Concordance Academy in St. Louis, Fontebella Maternity Home in Belleville, Ill., March of Dimes, and the American Cancer Society.
Shannon earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies in 2005 and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership in 2011 from Judson University in Elgin, Ill.
Shannon and her husband, Beau, reside in O’Fallon, Ill., with their two children. She is a diehard Chicago Cubs fan, despite the resistance from her St. Louis peers. Shannon actively volunteers with her church and believes her ultimate calling is to “love God and love people.” She is most inspired by the grit and compassion of We Raise grantees who work tirelessly on the front lines to better the lives of those in their communities.
PAUL C. MILES
President and CEO
We Raise Foundation
After a 25-year career serving nonprofit organizations around the world, Mr. Paul C. Miles was named President and CEO of We Raise Foundation by its Board of Directors in August 2015.
Paul joined We Raise after serving as vice president for development at Make-A-Wish America in Phoenix, Ariz. In this position, Paul was responsible for all individual and foundation giving, direct mail, digital, annual giving and grants, and planned giving. In addition, he served as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and the Grants Committee.
Prior to his tenure with Make-A-Wish America, Paul spent 22 years with a leading international consulting firm that works with nonprofit organizations on a wide-range of development needs. As campaign director, he helped his clients raise over $1 billion, culminating in a $593 million campaign for Habitat for Humanity International, where he also served as interim senior vice president of development. After serving as a campaign director, Paul joined the management team and eventually became a limited partner with the firm.
Paul graduated from Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill., where he later served on the Foundation Board of Directors and the President’s Advisory Council. He currently serves on the DuPage Foundation Board of Trustees, Downers Grove, Ill., and past board service has included Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, Md.; Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Clubs of Sumter County, and various congregational boards. He has been a frequent speaker and trainer in the field of resource development.
Paul and his wife, Sonja, have three children and live in Naperville, Ill. They are active members of their vibrant community and Paul has served as a coach on many local sports teams. He continues to believe one day he will break par but recognizes the important roles dreams play in his life. Paul is inspired by two things at We Raise: the generosity of its donors and the dedication of its grantees. The chance to bring these two communities together through We Raise is one of the great opportunities of his career.
Shannon Durio
Vice President of Development
We Raise Foundation
Shannon Durio was appointed Vice President of Development for We Raise Foundation in July 2023.
She joined We Raise after serving as Senior Director of Philanthropy at FamilyForward in St. Louis, Mo., since 2022. FamilyForward provides comprehensive therapeutic and educational services to support biological, foster, and adoptive families. Shannon was responsible for helping the organization achieve its annual and campaign fundraising goals through the solicitation and stewardship of donors annually, and through planned gifts and comprehensive campaign gifts. She also launched the first phase of a structured planned giving program for FamilyForward.
From 2019-2021, Shannon was the Executive Director of Prison Performing Arts in St. Louis. In this role, she served as the primary development officer for the nonprofit, which engages justice-involved youth and adults in the arts. Shannon managed grants, corporate support, events, and donor relations and in her first full year of leadership, she increased organizational revenue by 30%.
Throughout her 16-year fundraising career, Shannon has also held fundraising and marketing positions with the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition in Brentwood, Mo., Concordance Academy in St. Louis, Fontebella Maternity Home in Belleville, Ill., March of Dimes, and the American Cancer Society.
Shannon earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies in 2005 and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership in 2011 from Judson University in Elgin, Ill.
Shannon and her husband, Beau, reside in O’Fallon, Ill., with their two children. She is a diehard Chicago Cubs fan, despite the resistance from her St. Louis peers. Shannon actively volunteers with her church and believes her ultimate calling is to “love God and love people.” She is most inspired by the grit and compassion of We Raise grantees who work tirelessly on the front lines to better the lives of those in their communities.
THE EXECUTIVE TEAM
Meredith Capocci
Senior Accountant
Matt Croll
Director of Finance
Sandi Croll
Director of Finance
Meredith Capocci
Senior Accountant
Matt Croll
Director of Finance
Sandi Croll
Director of Finance
Meredith Capocci
Senior Accountant
Matt Croll
Director of Finance
Sandi Croll
Director of Finance
Rebecca Davis
Programs and Events Coordinator
Anne Schoenherr Turner
Director of Communications
Jennifer Sievers
Manager of Development Services
Rebecca Davis
Programs and Events Coordinator
Anne Schoenherr Turner
Director of Communications
Jennifer Sievers
Manager of Development Services
Rebecca Davis
Programs and Events Coordinator
Anne Schoenherr Turner
Director of Communications
Jennifer Sievers
Manager of Development Services