Christine Larsen Joins as Deputy Chief of Staff and Debbie Daugherty as Director of Advancement

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc), a nonprofit committed to providing people with intellectual and development disabilities the opportunity to gain independence, announced two new key leadership appointments, including Christine Larsen, Deputy Chief of Staff and Debbie Daugherty, Director of Advancement.

“As The Arc continues to strategically enhance its service and program offerings to meet the goals of advocating for and creating opportunities for people with development disabilities, it's instrumental for us to grow our leadership talent to maintain and facilitate collaboration and partnerships throughout the region,” said Jonathon Rondeau, CEO. “The new leadership appointments will also be instrumental as we establish our presence in our new headquarters and community outreach center over the next few months.”

As Deputy Chief of Staff, Christine Larsen will support Rondeau as CEO, as well as Martha Brown, The Arc’s Chief of Staff, with strategic planning, redefining key programs and services, and ensuring The Arc is aligned with best practices for organizations serving individuals for development disabilities.

As the previous Senior Director at the University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business, Larsen worked in partnership with the Associate Dean to streamline financial, operational and staff processes related to the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic goals and initiatives, which resulted in a $7.2 million increase in revenue over five years. She has more than 15 years of professional experience and has served as a volunteer for the University of Maryland’s Big Sister program for children with developmental disabilities. She is also a certified trainer for the Guiding Eyes for the Blind and certified mastectomy fitter for breast cancer support programs. Larsen received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Executive Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland, College Park.

The Arc appointed Debbie Daugherty as Director of Advancement, in which Daugherty will serve as a key advisor to the CEO and as the organization’s leading fundraising strategist. Working in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, Daugherty will play a major role in the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic development program, which includes major and planned gift donor development, grant writing, special events management and special campaigns. She will also coordinate the organization’s communications, marketing and public relations efforts.

Prior to joining The Arc, Daugherty was the Director of Advancement for St. Mary’s Parish, where she was responsible for major gift fundraising for a capital campaign, overseeing the office of advancement staff responsible for annual giving, alumni programs, event, communications and marketing, and database coordination. Previous to St. Mary’s Parish, Daugherty served as the Chief Development Officer for BelloMachre, Inc., Director of Advancement for Anne Arundel Medical Center and The Key School, respectively; and also worked as Interim Executive Director, Institutional Advancement and Foundation, for Anne Arundel Community College.

Daugherty has been actively involved in the community with organizations such as the Anne Arundel County Women’s Giving Circle, Ballet Theatre of Maryland, Leadership Anne Arundel, Rotary Club of Annapolis, Annapolis Wellness House Advisory Council and many more. She received her Bachelors of Science from the University of Maryland.

For more information about The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, please visit. http://thearcccr.org/.

About The Arc Central Chesapeake Region

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region provides comprehensive programs, services, and advocacy for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities over the arc of their life. The Arc is committed to providing people with disabilities the opportunity to live, work, play and fully participate in the world around them. The Arc Central Chesapeake Region provides services in Anne Arundel, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, and Queen Anne’s Counties and employs over 400 staff.