B.S. '04
Staci Cross is a seasoned development officer with nearly 20 years of experience in multimillion-dollar fundraising programs.
Staci Cross is the Vice President of Community Operations for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. In her current post, she provides strategic and operational leadership to a department responsible for increasing fundraising through a large portfolio of hospitals, universities, media partners, national and regional corporate partners, donors and advocates across the Southeast region of the United States. She is also responsible for developing and implementing the business development strategy across North America and leading the team as they seek new corporate partnerships for her organization.
Working directly with companies such as Aflac, GameStop, Coca Cola and others, Staci has helped bring corporate social responsibility to life through customer point-of-sale campaigns, event sponsorships, consumer package goods, employee giving, and more. Staci also created several fundraising events, including Dance Dash, Miracle Jeans Day, and Miracle Challenge, which raised more than $2M in within its pilot phase. During her time with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Staci has served in a variety of capacities, including managing relationships with corporate partners, serving as a Regional Director for 30+ east coast hospitals, creating national events, and business development.
Now an experienced fundraiser for the nonprofit industry, Staci’s career path began when she was a student at Florida State University. She discovered her passion for helping communities through Florida State University Dance Marathon (DMFSU), an organization raising funds for children’s hospitals, after volunteering for the organization and serving on its executive team.
Staci earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from Florida State University, and currently serves on the FSU Alumni Association National Board of Directors. She earned a master’s degree in public service administration from Texas A&M University, where she was awarded the George H.W. Bush Presidential Leadership Award. Staci also earned a Certificate of Professional Fund Raising from Boston University.
Ms. Cross now lives in Pinehurst, North Carolina, but maintains roots in South Florida where she serves on the board of the Crockett Foundation. She spends her weekends rooting for the Seminoles and remaining free time traveling to new countries and communities across the globe.