Sharon Smith and Gail Sullivan have joined the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego (RMHCSD) leadership team as vice president of development giving and chief financial officer, respectively, it was announced recently by Bill Lennartz, president and CEO of RMHCSD.

SHARON SMITH/GAIL SULLIVAN JOIN LEADERSHIP TEAM AT NEW RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF SAN DIEGO

About Sharon Smith

In her new role, Smith will head up the RMHCSD capital campaign, major gift giving, special event fundraising efforts and collateral materials development.

Prior to coming to RMHCSD, Smith served as vice president of development for the San Diego Museum of Man for three years. She brings more than 19 years of fundraising experience having raised more than $25 million in cash and in-kind contributions throughout her career. Smith has worked with an array of non-profit entities in securing major gifts and sponsorships in addition to coordinating fundraising events and has successfully worked with various foundations to obtain major grants. She lives in downtown San Diego.

About Gail Sullivan

In her new position, Sullivan, who has 20 years of financial management experience and is a certified public accountant, will oversee all financial operations for RMHCSD, including accounting, budgeting and financial planning.

Previously, Sullivan worked with companies such as Nth Generation Computing, Harbor Packaging, Inc. and Thefeld & Associates CPA’s serving in all aspects of accounting and financial management. In 2007, Sullivan was nominated for the San Diego Business Journal’s first annual CFO of the Year Award. She resides in Mira Mesa.

Located atop a six-story parking garage across from Rady Children’s Hospital, the new Ronald McDonald House has 47 bedrooms and features a new Family Care Center that is open daily to anyone with a child in an area hospital.

Annually, it will serve the needs of 20,000 families. The House offers dining services, a computer lab, arts and crafts room, children’s play room, teen center, play yard, faith room, outdoor play areas, laundry, day resting rooms and shower facilities.

About Ronald McDonald House of San Diego

Since opening its doors in 1980, San Diego’s RMHC has provided more than 140,000 nights of lodging for more than 14,000 families whose children face life-threatening illnesses and are receiving treatment at area hospitals. For more information, visit the website at www.rmhcsd.org or call 858-467-4750.

RMHC is a 501(C) (3) non-profit that receives 10 percent of its funding from local McDonald’s Restaurant owners and operators. The remaining 90 percent needed to operate the house and serve families must be raised through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations.