Becky Paulsen Named MDH Foundation Vice President

MACOMB, Ill. – McDonough District Hospital President/CEO Brian E. Dietz, FACHE, announced the hiring of Becky Paulsen as Vice President of the MDH Foundation. Paulsen will direct all fundraising efforts for the hospital.

“With the transition of leadership of the McDonough District Hospital Foundation in March of this year, a sub-committee of the Foundation Board has been meeting to determine the appropriate path forward for our Foundation. During the course of our discussions, it was determined that our fundraising efforts need to focus more on developmental work/planned giving. We are committed to maintaining the Festival of Trees and Annual Golf Outing (both returning in 2021) as two cornerstone fundraising events for the hospital,” said Dietz. “It was decided to pursue hiring an experienced fundraising professional with a level of local knowledge that would be most helpful for redirecting our efforts.

“After considerable discussion, we are very pleased to announce that Becky Paulsen accepted the position of Vice President for the MDH Foundation. Many of the staff at MDH have known Becky for many years and have worked with her in the various capacities she has served in the community and at Western Illinois University. We are delighted to welcome her as a new member of our team, and look forward to the many contributions she will make to the fundraising efforts of our hospital,” stated Dietz.

Paulsen brings more than 35 years of fundraising and executive leadership experience to MDH, all in the Macomb and surrounding area.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be serving as the Vice President for the McDonough District Hospital Foundation. Having been in the community for several years, I've been impressed by the community outreach done by the MDH Foundation and its many loyal supporters and donors,” said Paulsen. “I look forward to working with the hospital leadership team as we move forward during these unprecedented times.”

She worked for 13 years at Western Illinois University, most recently serving as the Director of Development, Corporate Relations. Paulsen’s focus was managing a portfolio of 150 businesses and individual donors to achieve annual fundraising goals.

While at Western, she also worked with Community Engagement and Outreach. During her first 12 years she served as the Director of Development for the College of Business and Technology. Paulsen participated in a campaign to help reach then surpass the goal of $60 million raised, securing gifts ranging from $5,000 to $1 million.

From 2000-2004 she led the Macomb Downtown Development Corporation as the Executive Director. Paulsen followed that by serving three years as the President of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce & Downtown Development Corporation after the two organizations merged.

During her career, Paulsen served as Co-Chair of the WIU President’s Executive Institute, was a Council for Advancement and Support of Education member, Network of Academic and Corporate Relations Officers member, on the Center for Performing Arts Center Task Force, WIU Council of Administrative Personnel Board member, WIU Building Connections mentor, Illinois Council of Main Street Activities Chair, and one of the founding Board members of the Western Illinois Regional Arts Council.

To learn more about MDH and the giving opportunities available through the Foundation, log on to www.MDH.org.