RGI Welcomes Industry Veteran Wendy King as Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 12, 2020

Contact: Shelly Pfenninger, CAE
800-362-2546
spfenninger@raybourn.com

Raybourn Group International Welcomes Industry Veteran Wendy King as Executive Director

Indianapolis – Raybourn Group International (RGI), an Indianapolis-based association management, consulting and event planning firm, is excited to announce the hiring of Wendy King as executive director and CEO for the Order of the Golden Rule (OGR).

Founded in 1928, OGR is an association of independently owned and operated funeral homes throughout North America and overseas that share common goals of exemplary service, uncompromising care and compassion to  families in their time of need. As the association management partner for OGR, RGI’s focus is to ensure the organization has the capacity, strategy and day-to-day support to fulfill its mission, serve members and effectively advocate for the industry.

King brings 21 years of non-profit experience to the role. Most recently, she served 14 years with the American Heart Association, including eight years as executive director for the Indianapolis market. During her tenure, King built a network of external relationships and led a diverse board of directors to establish market strategies and metrics to achieve annual impact and revenue goals.

Reflecting on her selection, King said, “I am thrilled to join an organization that is led by such a passionate board of directors and hardworking team. During such a pivotal time, I look forward to working with OGR leadership and its members to develop additional resources and opportunities for Golden Rule Funeral Homes as they deliver exceptional care to the families they serve.”

King started in her new position Oct. 28.

The search for a new chief executive began after OGR made the strategic decision to move to the association management model and hired Raybourn Group International to assume day-to-day management of the association. RGI Vice President of Association Strategies Mark McSweeney, CAE, served as OGR’s interim executive director and CEO since that switch took effect Nov. 4, 2019.

“Wendy is a goal-driven professional who knows how to achieve results through building strategic relationships, a collaborative environment and growth planning,” said OGR President Mary Flynn Steele. “Mark and the rest of the RGI team have already laid a great foundation for us as we move forward, and we know we have found in Wendy the right leader to take the helm and usher our association into its next chapter.”

Founded in 1988, Raybourn Group International is an accredited, award winning association management, consulting and event planning firm that specializes in helping membership-based organizations thrive, not just survive. RGI serves local, state, regional, national and international organizations that total 60,000+ members in 107 countries. To learn more, visit www.raybourn.com.

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