Our Staff
• Rachelle A. Bouts - President
• Charles R. Hillary - Senior Vice President
• Richard V. Lyons, J.D. - Vice President
• Sherri Birkeland - Vice President
• Barbara Cunningham, CFRE - Vice President
• Lori Thompson - Senior Associate
• Georgia McCurdy - Senior Associate
• Michelle Butler - Director of Marketing and Operations
Rikki joined the staff of Hillary Lyons Associates in 1998 following ten years of professional development experience in the health care and social welfare arenas. She became President of the firm in 2006. Rikki received a BS in Health Systems Management and an MBA in Finance from Michigan State University where she also led a special study on health care mergers. Before joining Hillary Lyons Associates, Rikki worked extensively with the Development Council at Ingham Regional Medical Center in Lansing, Michigan, served as Vice President of Development for the Capital Area United Way where her responsibilities included Major Gifts and Community Campaigns in excess of $6 million. Rikki is a member of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy and is a frequent speaker at both regional and national philanthropy programs.
Charles R. Hillary
Senior Vice President
Chuck joined Hillary Lyons Associates in 1995 following fifteen years as Vice President of Development for Ingham Medical Center and later as President of the merged Michigan Capital Healthcare Foundation in Lansing , Michigan . He had served on the Lyons Associates Board of Consultants and also was a speaker for Lyons Associates prior to joining the firm. Chuck was President of Hillary Lyons Associates from 1998 to 2006. Chuck has been active nationally in the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, serving on the national board, teaching at the Institute for Healthcare Philanthropy and serving as President of the AHP Foundation. He is a frequent speaker at both regional and national philanthropy programs and active locally serving on the Board of the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra and the Williamston Theatre. In 2007, Chuck was recognized for his leadership, commitment, vision, and support of the arts when he was awarded the prestigious Applause Award by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing. Chuck received his Master’s degree from Western Michigan University.
Richard V. Lyons, J.D.
Vice President
Richard's ongoing work in philanthropy began in 1991 with Hillary Lyons Associates as a consultant to client hospital Foundations implementing long-term development programs. From 1994 to 1997, he provided management and leadership training to Fortune 500 corporations with the Outward Bound Professional program, leading to the design and use of a strategic planning model for non-profit boards. Richard also served as Director of Development for the PRASAD Project, an international healthcare non-profit, and founded a $4 million global campaign for construction of a hospital in rural India. Richard is a graduate of the University of California and California Western School of Law and a member of the Idaho State Bar Association.
Sherri Birkeland
Vice President
Sherri has worked in the health care field for 20 years. Prior to joining Hillary Lyons Associates, she served as Vice President of Development and Planning for North Country Health Services (NCHS) in Bemidji, Minnesota. Her responsibilities included marketing, public relations, strategic planning, administration of the NCHS Foundation, and supervision of the volunteer program. During Sherri’s tenure, the NCHS Foundation completed its largest fund-raising project, raising over $5 million. Sherri has also held nursing management positions in home care and hospice services. She has a BSN from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. Sherri has served on the Bemidji Area United Way Board, the Minnesota Health Strategy & Communications Network Board, and the Minnesota Home Care Association Board.
Barbara Cunningham, CFRE
Vice President
Barbara joined Hillary Lyons Associates with over 20 years as a fundraising professional. She is a member of the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) serving as Mid West Regional Director, Regional Conference Co-Chair, Vice Chair of Membership and Communications, and as member of both the Strategic Planning Committee and the International Conference Committee which she chaired in 2004. She served as Vice Chair of Regional Affairs on the AHP 2004-2005 Board of Directors and as Secretary/Treasurer for the AHP 2006-2007 Board of Directors. She has presented at AHP International and Regional Conferences, as well as at OAHP and AFP conferences. Barbara received her Bachelor of Science degree at Ohio State University School of Education in Columbus , Ohio and her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) accreditation in 2000.
Lori Thompson
Senior Associate
Lori joined Hillary Lyons Associates with over 20 years demonstrated success in the non-profit sector. As a private consultant with clients in healthcare, education and assorted community agencies, Lori has provided support in a variety of capacities including strategic planning, grant writing, and philanthropy programming. She has held positions with Mercy Health Services (Iowa Region), Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and United Way of Brown County (Green Bay, WI) with primary responsibilities in community outreach and fund development. Over the course of her career, she has secured more than $10 million in major gifts and grants. Lori received her MA in Community Health Administration from the University of Northern Iowa and is wrapping up her Ph.D. in Education from North Dakota State University.
Georgia McCurdy
Senior Associate (on leave)
Georgia began her career in development in 1991 at the US. Air Force Academy as Chief of Alumni Programs and Development. There she served as liaison between the Academy's Alumni Association and the commanding general of the Academy. In 1993, Georgia was hired by Springdale Memorial Hospital in Springdale, Arkansas to start their development program. Using the Hillary Lyons model, Georgia recruited and implemented a development council of over 60 community leaders among whose many accomplishments included fully funding a new state-of-the-art Cancer Center. As the hospital merged with another to become Northwest Health System, Georgia was promoted to Vice President of Marketing and Development to oversee all aspects of development, marketing, public relations, volunteer services, mobile health services and education. Georgia holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy, and was named 1994 Association of Healthcare Philanthropy Outstanding Newcomer.
Michelle Butler
Director of Marketing and Operations
Bringing a combination of operational and marketing expertise, Michelle joined the staff of Hillary Lyons Associates in 1999 when the firm relocated from Colorado to Michigan. Prior to joining the staff at Hillary Lyons Associates, she worked at Michigan Capital Medical Center for twelve years serving as Volunteer Coordinator for the merged two-hospital system as well as Hospice Volunteer Coordinator for their Visiting Nurse Hospice program. She previously worked in Public Relations for Olympia Arenas in Detroit, Michigan, providing marketing and public relations support for Joe Louis Arena, Cobo Arena, and the Fox Theatre. Michelle is a graduate of Michigan State University.
