Gaiana Swanson

Associate

Gaiana Swanson comes to Ruotolo Associates with a demonstrated commitment to the field of development, having served as director of development at three Catholic high schools and one religious community.

In these positions, Gaiana has been responsible for conducting annual funds, public relations, planned giving, alumni programs, event planning and student financial aid programs. She has established and worked closely with volunteer boards in various capacities. Specifically, she has staffed and supported boards and their subcommittees, coached and mentored board members, and worked with boards in areas including solicitations and governance. She was also instrumental in identifying and recruiting lay talent to serve a religious community.

In a volunteer capacity, Gaiana worked with the United Way of Essex and West Hudson as a founding member of its Women’s Leadership Council. This experience helped her gain familiarity with the challenges and processes of start-up endeavors.

Gaiana graduated from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York, with a B.A. in French and political science. She is a member of Alpha Sigma Nu (National Jesuit Honor Society) and Pi Gamma Mu (Social Science Honor Society). She earned her law degree from the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law. Prior to her career in philanthropy, Gaiana practiced law for a number of years, primarily in the area of creditors’ rights.

Gaiana is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the National Catholic Development Conference, on whose Professional Development Committee she has served. She resides in Montclair, New Jersey.