Beth N. Hershenhart is a founding partner of interNational Advancement Counsel (interNAC). As a campaign strategist, legislative and government relations director, major gift fundraiser, nonprofit executive, lobbyist, and public relations director, Beth has over 25 years experience working with nonprofit organizations and state and local government.
Beth came to the nonprofit sector “from state government, as regional director for the Speaker of the NY State Assembly, and from managing a multitude of political and advocacy campaigns. Many of the approaches in my consulting practice derive from my work in government, aimed at enticing people to consider that politics is not a dirty word and it can improve our communities and our lives- if and only if all of us as citizens are engaged and involved.”
Building a practice primarily in the Northeast, Beth has served as a philanthropic strategist to over 200 institutions and organizations seeking to adapt conventional wisdom about organizational advancement, positioning and relationship-building in order to meet their mission. Many organizations that find they do not necessarily "fit" traditional models or seek innovation in their philanthropic efforts continue to seek her advice and counsel.
In her consulting Beth has pioneered a unique approach to capital campaigns that requires an organization “to think outside of its box” to find the energy, leadership, philanthropic support, and “wherewithal” to implement a comprehensive vision. By creating a collaborative, broad-based, flexible, mission-centered, and effective strategic-action process, Beth derives great satisfaction providing strategic support that moves organizations from talking about a project to raising the funds needed for the project.
Prior to her consulting practice, Beth held senior positions with the New York State Legislature, United Way, and Union College. She is the former chair of the Association of Philanthropic Counsel (APC), and has served on the Board of Directors of the Mohawk-Hudson Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).
As an active volunteer leader, Beth is co-chair of Common Cause/New York and has served on the Board of Directors of Congregation Berith Sholom. She is an active member of the American Farmland Trust, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation and has served as President of the National Women’s Political Caucus (Capital Region). Beth and her family have protected the forestlands and wetlands that were part of the former Catskill dairy farm owned and operated by her grandparents. In other conservation activism, Beth lead a two year grassroots effort for a community land preservation ballot referendum in her home community that culminated in a stunning 3 to 1 victory.
Beth has a B.A. in Journalism and Theology from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She is a frequent presenter at national and regional conferences on strategic positioning and messaging, capital campaigns, major gift fundraising, communications, campaign innovations and mission-centered marketing.
When not serving clients or engaging in volunteer leadership for environmental and social justice issues, Beth has a strong bent toward the arts and travel. She enjoys attending live theater, concerts and has an unchecked fascination with anything political. When she can, she retreats to the ocean and remote fresh water lakes to read, reflect and relish nature’s beauty.
Beth N. Hershenhart
