Barbara O’Reilly, CFRE, is a passionate fundraising strategist who helps nonprofits take the guesswork out of fundraising and replace it with clarity, confidence, and results. With a blend of sharp strategy, deep sector knowledge, and a no-nonsense love for what works, she’s on a mission to help organizations raise more money and love doing it.

Barbara brings over 30 years of experience leading fundraising efforts at large institutions like Harvard University, Oxford University, the American Red Cross, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. As the founder and principal of Windmill Hill Consulting, she and her team partner with nonprofits nationwide to build fundraising programs, coach and train boards and leaders, strengthen development teams, and turn donor engagement into long-term impact.

She’s also a trusted voice in the field: past president of the AFP Washington DC Metro Chapter, board member of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Giving Institute, and Giving USA Foundation, and chair of the Research Committee for the Giving USA Foundation. She is on the faculty of the University of Maryland’s Do Good Institute, where she has taught the next generation of changemakers how to fund their missions with purpose and power.

Barbara’s love for fundraising was born out of a simple belief that philanthropy has the power to change the world. But far too often great missions fall short simply because they didn’t know how to ask or how to tell their story. She’s been helping fix that ever since.

When she’s not coaching a client, giving webinars, or speaking on podcasts, you’ll likely find her spending time with her family, riding horses, or planning her next trip back to her favorite cities where she used to live—Boston and London—chasing a good cuppa, cosy bookstores, and the perfect cobblestone alley.

Ever since she was a young girl, Barbara’s favorite superhero has always been Wonder Woman. When you think about it, like Wonder Woman, fundraising takes a mission-focus, courage, strength, and strategy.  

“If my fundraising style were a superhero, my superpower would be the Lasso of Truth—cutting through fear, doubt, and confusion to help nonprofits tell their most powerful, authentic story and ask with confidence. Like Wonder Woman, I believe in using courage and clarity to move people to action and unlock transformational impact.”