Paula Stein serves as one of Graham-Pelton’s vice presidents, leading the firm’s cultural organizations practice group. Paula provides counsel to and manages fundraising campaigns for higher education, healthcare, and arts clients. Paula is experienced in all aspects of fundraising, including annual and capital campaigns, corporate and foundation grantsmanship, government relations, planned giving, special events, prospect research, and development communications.
Prior to joining Graham-Pelton Consulting, Paula most recently served as vice president of Development for the Public Health Research Institute (PHRI) in Newark, New Jersey. Working closely with the board, president, and faculty, Paula crafted and implemented a comprehensive development and communications plan to raise public awareness and philanthropic support for PHRI’s infectious diseases and biodefense research programs. In her first year at PHRI, she doubled board and advisory council giving; secured grants from corporations, foundations, and government sources; and secured sponsorships for an academic conference that drew over 500 leaders in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
Paula previously served as director of Principal Gifts and director of Major Gifts at Seton Hall University, where she helped to secure leadership gifts for a $150 million capital campaign. Her prior experience also includes program development, grantwriting, and volunteer recruitment and management for The First Occupational Center of New Jersey.
Paula holds a bachelor’s cum laude from Cornell University, a J.D. from Boston University School of Law, and was a visiting student at New York University School of Law.
