United South End Settlements (USES) is pleased to welcome veteran donor engagement and institutional advancement professional Christine Stellar as its new Chief Development Officer. In this role, Stellar will work closely with USES CEO Jerrell Cox as a member of the senior leadership team to oversee and grow the organization's fundraising programs and lead marketing and communications efforts.

Stellar comes to USES with an extensive background in fundraising, with a history of success cultivating meaningful relationships between corporate partners and mission-based organizations. She brings over a decade of fundraising experience to help further USES' commitment to transformational family programming that offers accessibility, equity, and inclusion and leads to true belonging.

"We are thrilled to welcome Christine to the USES community in this vital role," said Cox. "Christine's arrival marks an exciting chapter for our organization, as we embark on a journey to strengthen and grow our efforts to support families in achieving economic mobility. With Christine's dedication and expertise, we're confident that our mission will not only thrive but reach even greater heights."

With a deep-rooted passion for social justice and educational equity, Stellar has dedicated her career to closing the achievement and opportunity gaps. After studying public policy at Cornell University and education at the University of Pennsylvania, she gained real-life experience in the issues she studied during three years of teaching. During this time, she gained invaluable firsthand experience, witnessing the stark disparities between urban districts and their more affluent counterparts.

"It's an honor to work alongside USES' talented individuals and share their passion of supporting families," said Stellar. "I've spent the vast majority of my career in kid- and family-facing organizations and am thrilled to be continuing that work at USES as we raise critical funds and awareness for incredible programs that lift families out of poverty. From USES' leadership to its classroom teachers, to all the administrative and support staff, I'm inspired by the team's love for and commitment to strengthening the community as a whole by supporting the families and children that live in it."

Prior to joining USES, Stellar served as the inaugural Director of Institutional Advancement at SquashBusters. In that capacity, she collaborated closely with the CEO to spearhead a transformative fundraising program, which saw annual contributions soar from $2 million to $4 million. She also supported a monumental $13 million capital campaign. This initiative led to the construction of a new facility in Lawrence, Mass., significantly expanding SquashBusters' capacity to deliver services and make a profound impact on the community.

Stellar's unwavering dedication to USES' mission is palpable, driven by a profound belief in the transformative power of their programs and services within the community. Her experience in fundraising from previous roles makes her a great fit to collaborate with USES leadership, staff, and volunteers. Outside of her work, Christine enjoys running and spending time with her family. A native of Brookline, Mass., she lives there with her husband, two children, and two dogs.