Kathy Kielar
Kathy Kielar is the Vice President of Development at WTTW and WFMT, bringing more than 25 years of experience in major, annual, and planned giving. She leads WTTW and WFMT’s major gift annual fund, WFMT’s radio pledge drive, and the gift planning team, working closely with donors and professional advisors to support the organizations’ missions.
Kathy considers herself fortunate to be a planned giving professional—helping people do meaningful things that reflect their deepest values. A highly accomplished nonprofit executive, Kathy has a strong track record of securing planned gifts and leading high-performing teams through thoughtful stewardship of leadership, volunteer, and donor relationships. She is passionate about building authentic relationships that inspire philanthropy and advance the vital mission. She is a strategic and collaborative leader known for planning, budgeting, performance tracking, and goal setting.
Kathy is active in the planned giving community through CCPG and NACGP, where she has held leadership roles. She currently serves on the Hibel Family Foundation’s Planned Giving Initiative Advisory Council, mentors participants in NACGP’s mentorship program, and is a member of the NACGP Legacy Circle Committee. She frequently presents on building strong planned giving programs and working effectively with professional advisors.
Kathy resides in Chicago with her husband and in her free time enjoys spending time with her friends and family as well as gardening, travel, yoga, and going to theatre.