Carole Patrick

As chief philanthropy officer, Carole is responsible for the major gifts and endowment program, fundraising activities, marketing and public relations, business development, and resource development activities for Visiting Nurse Association. Fund development includes grants and community relations, fundraising through special events, major gifts, annual campaigns, endowments, capital campaigns and planned giving. Prior to VNA, Carole was chief development officer at Stephen Center and spent over 20 years in higher education as a professor and dean.

Carole received her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and Marketing from Drake University and her Master’s Degree and Doctorate from Oxford University in the Integration of Psychological and Theological Constructs. She has fundraising certifications through Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in Principles and Techniques of Fundraising and Developing Annual Sustainability, and she is a proud graduate of NAM’s Nonprofit Executive Institute (Class 14).

In 2021, Carole was recognized by The BLOC as one of Nebraska’s 50 Influential People Over 50.

Carole currently serves on three boards: Urban Abbey, a Methodist Church and nonprofit coffee shop in Omaha’s Old Market; Circle Theatre, a community theater company focused on providing opportunities for artists with disabilities; and Hospice House – The Josie Harper Residence.

Carole and her therapy dog, Gilligan, volunteer through Love on a Leash, providing emotional support to others in the community.