President

Dear WIDGB colleagues,

With the change of seasons and routines for many, I am embracing this exciting, new beginning with hope and possibility. Equally, I am deeply honored to start our work together as the 24th President of Women in Development of Greater Boston (WIDGB).

Ever since I joined WIDGB in 2021, I have been inspired by this amazing group of women and accomplished development professionals. I have always felt seen, valued, and supported by this network—something that takes intentional work from all its members.

As president, I am committed to nurturing WIDGB as a welcoming, safe harbor and launching pad for development professionals to explore their full potential.

I believe that when one woman succeeds, she creates space for another and when one woman leads, she gives others permission to lead.

Over the next two years, I envision us continuing to build a community where experienced leaders mentor emerging professionals, where opportunities are shared generously, and where successes are celebrated loudly. We also need to remind one another that ambition is not something to apologize for—it's something to embrace and champion. 

I plan to build on WIDGB’s rich history while also thoughtfully recognizing our community’s evolving needs and the complex landscape many organizations face. I am keenly aware that I am just one woman in development, who cannot lead in isolation. So, I will rely on your lived experiences, sound judgment, and creative ideas. I believe that when one woman succeeds, she creates space for another and when one woman leads, she gives others permission to lead.

Thank you all for investing your time with WIDGB, and I look forward to seeing you at a program or networking event this fall. 

In partnership, 
Rachael Burbank Singmaster
WIDGB President

Meet the President – Rachael Singmaster

Like many who find rewarding careers in mission-driven organizations, Rachael Singmaster discovered her passion for development by accident.

Starting with a work-study job in Alumni Relations at her alma mater and then volunteering for a family-led melanoma awareness nonprofit, she quickly realized that giving back would be the cornerstone of her career.

Today, Rachael is the Director of Annual Giving at The Governor’s Academy, where she designs strategy and oversees a $2.5M annual giving program. With over a decade of experience building development programs from the ground up at K-12 independent schools—including Charles River School, Brookwood School, and The Fessenden School—she has a proven track record of cultivating inclusive cultures of philanthropy through a balanced approach of volunteer management, thoughtful stewardship, and creative solicitations.

A Cape Cod native, Rachael earned her B.A. in Creative Writing from Pacific University in Oregon. She lived on the West Coast for a number of years, working in the higher ed sector, and now resides in Swampscott with her husband and their rescue dog, Yahtzee. In her free time, she can be found at an OrangeTheory fitness class, walking on the beach, or exploring new restaurants.

Past Presidents of Women in Development of Greater Boston

“In the summer of 1980, nine women who worked in development positions in colleges and universities in the Boston area met to consider holding occasional informal meetings with their peers. It was a casual meeting, and discussion centered on identifying the issues facing the growing number of women in fundraising. There was no clear focus, but the need for support from other women in a field then dominated by men was evident.” Excerpt from “Women in Development of Greater Boston: The evolution of an organization” by Phyllis Fanger. Women as Fundraisers: Their experience in and Influence on an Emerging Profession. Indian University Center on Philanthropy. Number 19, Spring 1998. From these modest beginnings arose the amazing organization we now know as Women in Development of Greater Boston.