Red Cross new hires

Princeton – The American Red Cross announces Matthew Teter and Tammy Atwood as new members of the organization’s New Jersey Region leadership team. Teter joins the organization as Chief External Relations Officer, overseeing all government relations and communications activity within the region. Atwood joins the Red Cross as Chief Development Officer, responsible for all fundraising initiatives and programs including special events, corporate and foundation relations, individual major gifts and board campaign efforts across six statewide chapters. Atwood replaces current Chief Development Officer Steven Spinner, who has been promoted to Senior Philanthropy Officer within the Northeast Division of the American Red Cross. All three will be based in the organization’s Princeton office and will begin their new positions on Jan. 2, 2019.
“I’m delighted to announce these strong new leaders to our New Jersey team and congratulate Steve on the elevation of his role to the Northeast Division with the American Red Cross,” said Rosie Taravella, CEO, American Red Cross New Jersey Region.
Matthew Teter’s Red Cross service began as a Disaster Action Team volunteer with the Greater New York Region in October of 2016. Soon after, he was offered a position in the development department as a senior regional philanthropy officer where he quickly became a leading fundraiser. In addition to continuing his volunteer service with Disaster Cycle Services, Teter served as a member of the regional public affairs team and has deployed to help with numerous disaster relief operations, including Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017, and Hurricanes Florence and Michael in 2018. Teter is a member of the Advanced Public Affairs Team and a national spokesperson for the Red Cross.
Prior to joining the Red Cross, Teter served as Vice President for External Relations with Brightpoint Health in New York City, leading a department responsible for development, marketing, brand management, communications, board recruitment and government relations. Teter’s diverse experience also includes running nonprofits such as a housing organization in North Philadelphia, working with members of Congress and candidates for public office, and serving in a variety of political, government and nonprofit leadership roles.
Tammy Atwood began her career with the American Red Cross eight years ago leading the financial development team in Maine before joining the Western and Central New York Region of the American Red Cross as their Regional Chief Development Officer in March of 2017. Atwood was responsible for all fund development activities, leading an accomplished team motivated to help sustain and expand critical Red Cross programs and services across the region.
“Tammy has a proven record of success and I am excited she has agreed to take on the opportunity of leading one of the largest fundraising regions in the country,” said Taravella. “I am confident she will work our group of talented New Jersey fundraisers to achieve new levels of success.”
Prior to joining the American Red Cross, Atwood spent ten years as Executive Director for the National Kidney Foundation of Maine after working five years as a senior district executive with the Boy Scouts of America.
Atwood received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Guam. While living in Guam, she worked as a legislative consultant.
Steven Spinner, Senior Division Philanthropy Officer completed six years with the American Red Cross and is recognized as one of the organization’s leading fundraisers. As the lead for New Jersey corporate donor relations, Spinner has successfully led the team’s efforts with major gift initiatives, annual giving programs, planning and feasibility studies, prospect research, and campaign management.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.