Founded in 1916 by Judge Harry V. Osborne as a safe place for boys and young men in crisis, Bonnie Brae has helped more than 13,000 boys and young men overcome personal and family challenges. Bonnie Brae is a nationally accredited Residential Treatment Center and Special Education School equipped with teams of clinicians, special education teachers, and highly trained residential staff who provide individualized treatment and educational services for youth experiencing significant trauma, mental health challenges, and substance use. In 2020, Bonnie Brae expanded its program continuum by introducing a Crisis Residential program, which, for the first time in the organization's history, focused on serving young women.
The organization is driven by a deep commitment to equity and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to achieve their dreams, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Vision: To transform more lives of historically under-served youth and their families through a nationally recognized model of care.
Mission: Empowering youth and families to achieve small victories every day through comprehensive care and education.
Youth Served & Locations:
Located in Liberty Corner, NJ, the campus-based residential program and special education school provides comprehensive care for at-risk youth and families throughout New Jersey. Bonnie Brae offers crises stabilization, clinical treatment, education, recreation, aftercare services, work experience, and integrated health services to boys between the ages of 12-21.
In addition to the main campus programs, Bonnie Brae has three community-based transitional residential treatment programs which provide independent living skills to young men transitioning from residential treatment back into the community. Across locations, Bonnie Brae serves up to 124 youth at a time, 98 on the main campus; 8 at the Community Based Transitional Home in New Brunswick, the Powers House; 8 at the Community Based Transitional Home in Bound Brook, the Van Houten House; and 5 at the Community Based Transitional Home in Bridgewater, the Brozowski House and 5 at the Crises Stabilization program in Chester, Cherry Lane.
Within the past 20 years, Bonnie Brae has more than doubled the number of youth it serves each year and aims to keep the growth on an upward trajectory by expanding the unique continuum of care it offers to include more community-based services.
Success Rates:
Alumni surveys and studies continue to prove the lasting impact of a Bonnie Brae experience.
When boys arrive at Bonnie Brae:
69% had been runaways averaging 5.8 placements before coming to Bonnie Brae;
67% had been abused, neglected or witnessed violence inside or outside the home;
70% were taking psychotropic medications;
94% had school problems including multiple suspensions, expulsions and truancy.
When boys leave Bonnie Brae:
100% of all eligible Bonnie Brae seniors graduated from Bonnie Brae high school compared to the statewide average of 83%.
80% graduated successfully from their program;
64% were reunified with their families and 67% felt Bonnie Brae helped them to get along better with family members, friends and other people;
46% decreased their psychotropic medications and an additional 21% were reduced to no psychotropic medications.
In their most recent survey of alumni who were discharged in 2020, the organization found that the Bonnie Brae experience has had lasting impact:
80% are living in the community in stable living arrangements.
75% are enrolled in high school or have graduated.
89% have had no contact with the criminal justice system.
66% are working part-time or full-time jobs in the community.
Quick Facts:
Year Founded – 1916
Organizational Governance – Bonnie Brae’s Board of Trustees is composed 17 members. The Board’s primary responsibilities include setting the strategic direction, guidance and support to the CEO, financial oversight, fundraising/resource development and risk management.
President – Betty Cass-Schmidt
Foundation Board – Bonnie Brae’s newly formed Foundation Board consists of 6 members. The Foundation has been created to focus on fundraising and financial growth to support the organization’s strategic goals and initiatives.
Number of youth and their families served in 2023/24 – 273
Bonnie Brae - Leadership Spotlight
The agency is overseen by a dedicated Board of Trustees who work in collaboration with the talented and experienced leadership team on strategic planning, operations, fundraising and promoting safety throughout the organization. Board members sit on our safety, finance, development and building and grounds committees and bring a wealth of talent, experience, outside resources and collaboration to the table. Two of the board members have experienced out of home treatment themselves, one of whom is an alumnus of Bonnie Brae and one who grew up in the foster care system.
Paul D. Rieger, MSW - Chief Executive Officer
Paul D. Rieger, MSW
Chief Executive Officer
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Paul Rieger, is an experienced non-profit leader with 33 years of service to programs for youth and families, along with many other accomplishments. Paul has had remarkable success with developing and growing high quality/fiscally viable continuums of community based mental health programs and services. In addition to the CFO, COO and CDO, Paul also oversees the Medical Director, Human Resources, Quality Assurance, an Executive Assistant and the Director of Aftercare.
Paul began his tenure as CEO at Bonnie Brae in 2016. Since then, significant accomplishments include guiding the agency through a successful capital campaign that resulted in a new cottage and state of the art family center, sustaining full in-person residential and educational programing during the pandemic, expansion of programs with two crises centers - one that serves females and developed aftercare services that includes a mentoring program. He has presented nationally on a variety of mental health treatment and program topics. Paul currently serves as the President of both New Jersey Alliance for Children, Youth and Families (NJACYF) and the Association for Children’s Residential and Community-Based Services (ACRC). He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Holy Cross and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania.
Christian Whooley - Chief Operating Officer
Christian Whooley
Chief Operating Officer
The Chief Operating Office (COO), Christian Whooley, is a seasoned administrator and licensed professional counselor who has twenty years of experience providing services for young men and women in inpatient, outpatient residential, alternative schools and community-based services. Chris oversees Operations, Education, Clinical, Residential, Community Residential and Nursing. Chris has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of Staten Island and a master’s degree in counseling from Rider University.
Matt Nissen - Chief Financial Officer
Matt Nissen
Chief Financial Officer
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Matt Nissen, is an experienced finance, accounting and strategy executive with over 15 years’ experience. He currently oversees the Accounting and Information Technology departments and is responsible for the direction of financial activities of the agency including coordination of budgets and auditing. Matt has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s in business administration from Rider University.
The Future
For over 100 years, Bonnie Brae has been a beacon of support for youth and families through residential treatment and educational programming. As we look to the future, we envision expanding our reach into more communities by developing innovative programs in mental health, education, job training, family support, and housing. Our commitment is to empower individuals and families, fostering resilience and growth to create a brighter, more equitable future for all. A forthcoming strategic planning project will outline the specific opportunities and path forward.
The newly formed Bonnie Brae Foundation has been established to support the organization's sustainability, growth, and diversification by focusing on long-term fundraising, investment management, and financial growth.
Bonnie Brae Foundation Mission
To inspire community philanthropy to advance the strategic goals of Bonnie Brae and continuously improve outcomes for the youth and families in our care.
At Bonnie Brae, we are focused on meeting the ever-changing needs of our youth and their families so they can achieve small victories every day. It is an exciting time as we work on our strategic plan which creates the ability to contribute to our growth, drive key partnerships, fundraising and business development as we shape our future success.
–Betty Cass-Schmidt, Board President
Position Summary
Bonnie Brae is seeking a visionary Chief Development Officer (CDO) to play a pivotal role in transforming philanthropy into a vibrant, sustainable revenue stream. With the recent establishment of a dedicated foundation and an ambitious strategic plan in development, this is a moment of unparalleled opportunity to help shape the future of Bonnie Brae. Join us during this dynamic time to drive innovation, expand our impact, and help bring life-changing programs to those who need them most.
The Chief Development Officer (CDO) shall be a highly skilled development professional with impeccable ethics and a proven track record of success. In collaboration with the executive leadership team, the CDO will cultivate and promote a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization. A key aspect of the CDO role will be the ability to actively engage with the community, personally cultivating and soliciting a portfolio of major gift prospects. The CDO will also work closely with the board, leadership, and volunteers, empowering them to contribute their greatest value to the organization's fundraising efforts.
The CDO will ensure review of the current systems for fund development at Bonnie Brae including: events, annual giving, specific campaigns, gift processing and recognition, donor engagement, research/database management, website, social media and marketing. Once these areas are validated and organized, the CDO will spend the majority of their time with current and potential funders.
The Chief Development Officer should have proven experience managing a portfolio of donors and prospects, coupled with a track record of successfully raising significant funds on an annual basis.
The Role & Responsibilities
Major Responsibilities:
Collaborate with the CEO, Foundation Board members, and Board of Trustees to align development efforts with organizational priorities.
Design and lead the organization’s comprehensive fundraising and development strategy, setting clear short- and long-term fundraising goals that align with these priorities and develop implementation objectives to achieve them.
Work with the leadership team to effectively communicate the organization’s mission, vision, values, and strategic direction to internal and external audiences.
Provide overall leadership responsibility for the Foundation, Development Department, and community relations activities focused on philanthropy.
Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the development team.
Develop and implement strategies to achieve the foundation’s mission and goal of supporting the organization’s needs and advancing strategic growth into new program areas.
Work with the CEO and Foundation Board to identify and recruit new Foundation Board Members.
In coordination with the investment manager, executive leadership and the operation and foundation board finance committees, oversee the foundation’s investment funds to assure their continued growth and performance vs. benchmarks.
Design and implement a metrics-driven, cost-effective development program that includes: corporate and individual major gifts, event fundraising, sponsorships and monthly/annual giving.
Partner with the CEO and Foundation Board on long-term and multiyear fund-raising strategies; capital campaigns, planned giving, and endowments.
Provide administrative oversight for donor cultivation, grant management, and relationships with corporate, family foundations, and government entities.
Identify prospective donors to special project funds and supporters of ongoing operations through analysis of donor records, individual, foundation, and corporate contacts, and community knowledge.
Collaborates with the CEO and CFO to align fundraising with budgetary needs. Ensure accountability and transparency in the use of funds raised.
Oversee the development-related marketing and communication efforts including; website, social media and public relations/marketing materials to increase community awareness and enhance the organization’s image and promote philanthropic support.
Qualifications and Preferences
Qualifications and Preferences:
Minimum of eight years of proven experience in nonprofit fundraising.
Minimum of five years of experience developing and leading development department staff.
Experience in leading a development program raising seven figures or more annually.
Track record of personally identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts.
Flexible and enthusiastic regarding change; persistent in overcoming obstacles to change.
A demonstrated understanding of and appreciation for Bonnie Brae’s mission.
Creative, innovative and able to devise new approaches to philanthropy.
Experienced in collaborating with leadership teams, non-profit boards, volunteers, and community stakeholders.
Bonnie Brae has partnered with Boyden Executive Search. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:
Lisa Vuona has decades of experience in executive search and human resource management, primarily in the non-profit, healthcare and education sectors. She is distinguished by her track record and network, and by her approach, which combines the strategic power of data with a finely tuned ability to understand the client’s organization and identify high-caliber leaders who fit the culture.
Lindsey Gale has extensive experience in social impact with nearly 25 years of success in executive search, fundraising and consulting. She is an accomplished recruiter, fundraiser, and community influencer, and applies these skills to help individuals and a variety of non-profit organizations achieve their goals.
Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. Boyden Boston is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.
Bonnie Brae - Chief Development Officer - Job Description (PDF Download)
