New Leadership Positions Align with Strategic Vision
From left: Todd Andrews, Annette Wolfe, Jenny Herstein
The Salvation Army Western Division recently created two brand-new positions that will enable the organization to execute and achieve its strategic priorities in order to better meet the needs of the more than 100,000 people in the Omaha metro who walk through our doors seeking support each year. In addition, a new senior director of donor relations was hired.
Executive Director of Metro Operations
In her role as executive director of metro operations, Annette Wolfe will be responsible for assessing The Salvation Army of Omaha’s 30-plus programs and services as well as creating a comprehensive strategic program plan that meets community needs and aligns with the organization’s mission. She will also work closely with Salvation Army leadership to build strong relationships and partnerships with community, city, agency and government leaders.
Wolfe brings a wide array of skills and expertise in organizational assessment, strategic planning, tactical and strategic marketing, qualitative analysis, risk analysis, business development and communications.
Prior to her work as an independent consultant collaborating with international, national and local businesses and nonprofits, Wolfe served as the chief strategy officer for Banyan Medical Systems in Omaha and as the director of strategic planning and business development for the Nebraska Medical Center as well as in a variety of marketing positions locally, nationally and overseas.
“Hiring a new executive to craft a stronger business plan for our programs and services is the number one goal of our strategic plan in Omaha and Council Bluffs,” said Divisional Commander Major Greg Thompson. “Annette's experience in strategic planning and organizational leadership are an excellent fit for The Salvation Army.”
Director of Integrated Communications
As the director of integrated communications, Todd Andrews will coordinate and oversee all communications and marketing activities throughout The Salvation Army Western Division, which includes Nebraska, western Iowa and South Dakota.
Andrews is a longtime media, communications and public relations professional with a passion for community service. The Iowa native has spent the majority of his career in journalism, working as an anchor, reporter and moderator for KETV in Omaha from 2004 to 2013. Following that, Andrews served as communications director for Omaha Public Schools through 2015 and later spent two years in religious volunteer service at Mount Michael Benedictine School & Abbey, where he worked in a key communications and marketing capacity.
“Todd brings a wealth of experience in both traditional and new media,” said Jeff Beckman, executive director of development for The Salvation Army Western Division. “He is helping the organization build a robust integrated communications program that will strengthen all of our digital and traditional platforms and pave the way for the next generation of mission supporters.”
Senior Director of Donor Relations
The Salvation Army is pleased to welcome Jenny Herstein, of Lincoln, as senior director of donor relations for Omaha and Lincoln.
Herstein will play a key role in cultivating and stewarding major gifts for The Salvation Army’s fundraising efforts. Initially she will spend approximately two-thirds of her time working in Omaha, with the balance spent working in Lincoln and greater Nebraska.
Herstein is thrilled to work for an organization she has long admired. Her first exposure to The Salvation Army was through stories her father-in-law shared about his experiences as a soldier in World War II. “The Salvation Army is ingrained in our culture and is an integral part of our society,” Herstein said.
Herstein stressed that being a good steward of donor gifts is critically important to her. “Helping a donor align their philanthropic goals and passions with The Salvation Army’s mission will be an important part of my work,” she said. “I especially look forward to getting to know the donors and building long-term relationships.” Part of that process, she added, will be meeting and hearing the stories of people whose lives have been touched by The Salvation Army.
Prior to joining The Salvation Army, Herstein worked as assistant director of advancement for Nebraska Community Foundation. She also spent seven years as development director for Nebraska Educational Telecommunications’ (NET) Foundation for Television and Radio.
“Jenny has a vast knowledge of the Omaha and Lincoln philanthropic communities and of smaller communities across Nebraska,” said Salvation Army Executive Director of Development Jeff Beckman. “Her fundraising experience will be a tremendous asset to The Salvation Army.”