The Experts

Five members of SCI’s 27-person staff have served as presidents, officers or board members of the Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Women in Financial Development, and the Association of Direct Response Fundraising Counsel. But it’s not just prominence that our staff offers: it’s stability combined with expertise. Six staff members have been with the agency for at least a decade, and four more have been on board for more than three years. Our most recent additions, coming from new media, commercial direct marketing, and major donor fundraising, broaden our “repertoire” even more!

The Principals:

Harry Lynch – Harry Lynch is CEO of Sanky Communications and SankyNet. Since joining the direct marketing industry in 1980, Harry has worked in every aspect of the field – from production manager, to list expert, to a leader of the SCI creative team, which has been honored seven times with industry awards. In 1998, Harry directed the launch of SCI’s Internet marketing division, SankyNet, and today is actively involved in creative and strategy for the agency’s online clients as well as direct mail accounts. He has served as President of the Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association (DMFA), Vice-President of the Greater New York Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and Vice-Chair of the Association of Direct Response Fundraising Counsel (ADFRCO). Today, he is Vice-Chair for External Relations on the Board of International AFP. He is a frequent speaker at DMFA and AFP workshops and conferences.

Judith A. Maneval – Judith Maneval is President of Sanky Communications. After working in advertising and direct mail for 14 years, Judy joined SCI in January 1984 and became a partner in the firm later that year. Judy was the founding President of the Association of Direct Response Fundraising Counsel (ADRFCO), serving in that role from 1985 through 1990, continuing on the board through 2001. Judy was on the board of the Greater New York Chapter of AFP from 1980 through 1998 and was President of the Greater New York Chapter for 1994 and 1995, also serving as a representative to the AFP National Assembly. She was President of the Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association in 1984 and 1985. Judy is a frequent speaker at Fund Raising Day in New York, at the AFP/New School Fundamentals of Fundraising Program, and at many other seminars and workshops around the country.

Paul Habig – Paul Habig, Executive Vice President for SankyNet, has more than a dozen years of Internet marketing and fundraising experience. He has developed multi-faceted online strategies for more than 50 non-profit organizations such as Covenant House, PetSmart Charities, and the Smithsonian Institution. Paul’s background in the nonprofit world not only includes consulting, but he has also held positions at the YMCA, Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA), and Pontifical Mission. He also ran his own Internet marketing business working with brands such as VitaminWater and SmartWater. Paul Habig is an active member of the Greater New York Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and serves as Chair of the website for Fund Raising Day in New York. Paul also serves as Board Member for the Direct Marketing Fundraising Association. He is a frequent speaker at DMFA and AFP workshops and conferences.

Senior Staff:

Barbara Eckstadt – Barbara Eckstadt, Vice President of SankyDirect, has been with SCI since 1988. She has orchestrated campaigns for a wide range of social service, health, environmental and cultural organizations. Current clients include the Community Service Society of New York, The Glaucoma Foundation, Americans for UNFPA (the United Nations Women’s Health Agency), The Scripps Research Institute, and the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. For several years Barbara served as a board member and officer of the DMFA and now chairs the Marketing Committee for the Greater New York Chapter of AFP’s Fund Raising Day in New York. Prior to joining the marketing field, Barbara was trained as a classical musician and then served as an arts administrator and production coordinator for a conservatory and young artist’s opera/music theater program.

Ken Schwartz – Ken Schwartz, Copy Director, has been at SCI since 1984. He has helped create successful, award-winning campaigns for a wide range of non-profits, from small local organizations to those with large, national constituencies. Current clients include Americans for UNFPA, the Community Service Society of New York, Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens, The Glaucoma Foundation and the Northeast Animal Shelter. Ken began his fundraising career at the Public Broadcasting affiliates WHYY in Philadelphia, and then WNYC in New York City. In addition, he was on the board of directors of DIFFA New York. Ken has also served on the board and is a member of the Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association.

Valerie Vierengel – Valerie Vierengel, an Account Executive for SankyDirect, joined Sanky Communications in 1992. A graduate of Fordham University, Valerie got her start in fundraising by working part-time at Covenant House, and later served as an Account Manager at The American Institute, an international conference-marketing firm. In her fifteen years at SCI, she has developed expertise in list selection and segmentation, campaign analysis, and project management. She has worked with more than a dozen clients including the Scripps Research Institute, The Christopher Reeve Foundation, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, and The Fresh Air Fund. Valerie currently serves on the Board of the Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association.

Carla Chadwick Carla Chadwick, Creative Services Director, and the daughter of Sanky Communications founder Sanky Perlowin, has been with SankyNet almost since its inception. Carla has developed unique and innovative creative strategies for dozens of organizations, the scope of which includes social services, health, disaster relief, animal welfare, women’s rights and education. Carla manages the development and communication of effective and consistent messaging for each nonprofit through a broad spectrum of online media: websites, e-newsletters, e-appeals, search engine marketing, graphic display advertising, advocacy campaigns, blogs and other viral and social networking. Under Carla’s creative direction, SankyNet has won many prestigious awards, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Award for Excellence in e-Philanthropy, DMFA’s Package of the Year, and the Gold Award for Fundraising Excellence.

Catherine Carley – Cathy Carley, Account Executive, joined SCI in 2004. Her 10 years in fundraising includes experience in coordinating special events and annual fund programs. She has worked on direct mail campaigns for a variety of organizations including the Center for Reproductive Rights, Coalition for the Homeless, Freedom from Hunger and Planned Parenthood of New York City. Prior to that, she managed walk/run events for the Arthritis Foundation and began her career in the University Programs department at United Jewish Communities. She is a graduate of Colgate University.

David Hughes – David Hughes, Account Director, has been with SankyNet since 2005. Prior to SankyNet, he was involved with developing marketing strategies and websites in both the not-for-profit and for-profit sectors. With SankyNet, David has a solid record of working with clients to create successful marketing and fundraising strategies, to which he brings a unique and fresh perspective. Current clients include Citymeals-on-Wheels, the Smithsonian Institution, and Visiting Nurse Service of New York. David holds a BA degree in Business Leadership from the University of Puget Sound with an emphasis in marketing and is a member of the Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association.

Richard Castera – Richard Castera is a talented application developer and designer who joins the SankyNet team as our Web Technology Director/Lead Web Developer. Richard’s passion for web standards, programming, and content management systems is evident in his vast experience with internet technologies. Before coming to SankyNet, Richard served as the Senior PHP Developer at a firm specializing in web design and development solutions. He uses this experience to help translate SankyNet’s creative vision into the websites, newsletters, appeals, and other online components that have given us the reputation for being a leader in online fundraising and communication. His expertise with high level object oriented programming languages make Richard an invaluable and respected member of the SankyNet team.

Julie Ziff Sint – Julie Ziff Sint, Internet Account Executive with SankyNet, has a decade of experience in the non-profit sector. Her dual emphasis on communications and analysis, and her passion for environmental markets, public arts, and a variety of policy issues, has led to Julie’s diverse background. She spent four years at Environmental Defense Fund, where she raised over $1 million annually by managing a mid-level giving program. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of an emerging New York City nonprofit, Action Arts League, where she focuses on organizational strategy and development. Julie holds an M.A. from Lehigh University in Political Science with a focus in Public Policy and Advocacy, and a B.A. and B.S. from Muhlenberg College in English and Environmental Science, respectively.

Tim Ireland – Tim Ireland, Internet Account Executive comes to SankyNet with over 10 years of web design and marketing experience. Before joining our team, Tim was the webmaster for the Boston Children’s Museum where he managed the growth of their online programs and presence. Today, Tim uses his creative and strategic talents to help provide a breadth of services to SankyNet clients such as Freedom from Hunger, PetSmart Charities and Covenant House. In addition to his previous work with non-profit organizations, Tim has been a successful technical writer for a nano-tech company as well as a partner in a high-tech consumer business, where he helped develop an internal web-driven information system and provided art direction for brand development and web concepting. While not working, Tim is an avid photographer and musician.