Aberdeen Woman Named GBMC VP

The woman who led the American Cancer Society’s most successful major gift program in the country will become the vice president of Greater Baltimore Medical Center in May.

Aberdeen resident Jenny Coldiron, who was selected following a national search, will begin overseeing philanthropic activities for the healthcare system on May 2, according to a prepared statement from the healthcare system.

“GBMC has an outstanding reputation for providing excellent healthcare and I am looking forward to building upon the strong fundraising and corporate development work that the foundation has in place,” said Coldiron, whose experience includes major gift fundraising, capital campaigns, corporate development and special events management.

Coldiron will serve as a member of the GBMC HealthCare Executive Team and report to Dr. John B. Chessare, the hospital's president, the statement said.

“Jenny’s extensive expertise and proven results in generating charitable contributions will be a significant asset to our team,” Dr. Chessare said in the statement.

Founded in 1987, the GBMC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises $7 million to $9 million per year via cash, pledges, appreciated assets, and planned gifts from appreciative patients and other friends of the hospital. The GBMC Foundation also receives grants from corporations and private foundations to support GBMC HealthCare. 

In addition to utilizing those funding mechanisms, the foundation also organizes several annual fundraising events, such as the GBMC Golf Classic, Father's Day 5K and 1 Mile Fun Walk, and Perspective In Medicine dinners. The organization also benefits from the annual Legacy Chase at the Shawan Downs racetrack in northern Baltimore County.

Coldiron worked for the American Cancer Society’s South Atlantic Division, where she served as vice president of campaign development from 2005 to 2011. She served as the director of distinguished gifts  from 2002 to 2004. She worked as the corporate relations director from 2000 to 2002. And she was the income development manager from 1996 to 2000. 

She has been recognized for leading the most successful major gift program in the country for the American Cancer Society because she has secured several individual gifts in excess of $1 million and completed numerous capital building expansion campaigns.

Coldiron also was instrumental in raising $10 million to support a group of patient resource navigation positions for the Cancer Resource Network—one of which is assigned to GBMC’s Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute.