Annalisa Holcombe is a mission-driven leader with nearly three decades of experience in fundraising, strategic planning, and institutional transformation. She has built and led advancement programs at organizations of all sizes—from a private liberal arts college to the nation’s largest online university—raising hundreds of millions of dollars to fuel innovation and expand opportunity across sectors.
Annalisa’s consulting practice is rooted in her ability to connect people, ideas, and resources. As the Founder and Principal Consultant of Connection Collaborative, she partners with organizations to develop fundraising strategies, build donor relationships, and create operational frameworks that drive lasting change. She is excited to join the team at Langley Innovations. Having worked with Jim over several years and institutions, she knows that Langley Innovations shares her ethos that successful fundraising isn’t about dollars—it’s about engaging people in a shared vision for a better future.
Her expertise extends beyond philanthropy—she is a strategist who helps organizations navigate change, develop operational strength, and build high-performing teams. She brings authenticity, integrity, and passion to every engagement, helping mission-driven organizations unlock their full potential.
When she’s not working with clients or recording her podcast, you’ll find Annalisa and her family exploring their new home on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Annalisa’s fields of expertise include:
- Fractional Chief Development Officer roles
- Comprehensive Fundraising Strategy
- Campaign Feasibility & Planning
- Major Donor Engagement
- Grant Writing & Foundation Relations
- Organizational Strategy & Change Management
- Board Development & Governance
- Strategic & Operational Planning
- Mission-Driven Storytelling & Communications