Cooky Mays, CFRE, has an extensive background in fundraising and non-profit management, including senior development positions with Boys and Girls Harbor of Houston, the Alzheimer’s Association for Houston and Southeast Texas, and Spring Branch Independent School District, for which she was Executive Director of the District’s Foundation.

Ms. Mays has served her profession and colleagues through the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Cooky is a Past President of the Houston AFP chapter, served on the AFP- Greater Houston Chapter board for 6 years, and chaired the chapter’s National Philanthropy Day. She received her fundraising certification, CFRE, in 2000 through AFP, has provided pro-bono consulting and event consultation for several area Houston non-profits and has been a senior professional mentor for new development professionals.

In addition to her own consulting firm, Mays Consulting, Cooky is the Managing Consultant in Houston for Skystone Ryan, Inc., an international full-service non-profit consulting firm, and is one of the principals with Niles Partners, a Houston non-profit consulting firm.

Ms. Mays has been active in her community, her alma mater and her social fraternity. She serves on the board of Boys and Girls Harbor and the Houston Junior Forum. She is a Past President of the Houston Junior Forum. She serves on the Human Ecology Advisory Committee of the University of Texas College of Natural Science. She was formerly honored as Theta of the Year by the Houston chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, and twice a nominee for the Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Ms. Mays is a graduate of the University of Texas, Austin, with a Bachelor of Science degree. Most recently, Ms. Mays was elected to the City Council of Bunker Hill Village.   

Cooky is happy to be able to share her knowledge and experience with other development professionals and the organizations they serve to continue to make a positive difference in our community.

Fund Raising Certification:

·   CFRE, National Society of Fund Raising Executives, Recertification October 2006

·   CFRE, National Society of Fund Raising Executives, Recertification October 2003

·   CFRE, National Society of Fund Raising Executives, October 2000

Professional Associations:

·   Association of Fundraising Professional

·   Formerly a member of APRA and the Planned Giving Council of Houston

Education:

·   Bachelor of Science Degree, University of Texas 1965

·   Subject: Plan II, Interior Design, Minor in Chemistry