Rebecca McPettit

Shaping systems and building bridges to enhance outcomes in philanthropy

“The purpose of a system is what it does.”-Stafford Beer, British theorist, consultant, and professor at the Manchester Business School

Rebecca is a multifaceted philanthropy professional who thrives on driving impact by aligning people, process, and purpose. As part of the Integrated Initiatives team at TCC Group, she works closely with program leads to manage client projects, including ViiV Healthcare’s community engagement efforts in the HIV/AIDS sphere. She also works on ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action grants program, which funds nonprofits focusing on HIV/AIDS work within their local communities.

Drawn to TCC because of its wide range of partners across sectors and integrated way of working with clients, Rebecca brings a holistic perspective from her experience working across the philanthropic ecosystem and excels at breaking down silos to amplify an organization’s purpose. At NY Funders Alliance, an organization for grantmakers to expand and deepen their effective philanthropy practice, Rebecca’s work broadened member services to include consulting, research, and fiscal sponsorship of projects. Her assessments of philanthropic investments increased grantmaking effectiveness across the state and bolstered partnerships. As a graduate research intern for The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Rebecca supported capacity building by analyzing decades of previously uncategorized grants to understand the foundation’s investments and inform future strategy.

Rebecca has earned degrees in business administration, economics, entrepreneurship, public and nonprofit management, and systems thinking. She is passionate about student learning and research, and currently mentors middle and high school students, guiding them through nonprofit and policy research projects. She sits on her local Community Foundation’s library grant review team, and recently joined the board of directors of an arts organization based in Seneca Falls, NY. Based in the Finger Lakes region of New York, she enjoys exploring the outdoors and is currently pursuing a yoga teaching certification.

Education

• Cornell University, Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
  • Master of Public Administration, Concentration: Public and Nonprofit Management
  • Systems Thinking, Modelling, and Leadership (STML) Certificate
• Cabrera Research Lab
  • Certified Trainer in Systems Thinking, Mapping, and Leadership
• Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Minor: Entrepreneurial Studies
• Cayuga Community College Auburn, NY
  • Associate in Science in Business Administration

Board Service

• Board Director, Seneca Falls Performing Arts Center