Bianca Derouene

President & CEO

Favorite inspirational quote:

“One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began…” 

— Mary Oliver

Bianca founded Aperio Philanthropy in 2018 to simplify the path to revenue growth for nonprofits. She specializes in designing and launching streamlined business models that enable nonprofits to realize their fundraising potential—sustainably. She is an expert in fundraising strategic planning, organizational design, change management, and operations. 

Prior to founding Aperio, Bianca helped lead the creation of a nationwide philanthropy program at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as Vice President, Donor Development Strategy & Operations. In partnership with the Chief Development Officer, Bianca designed and launched the new program, as well as two campaigns for special initiatives: a $35 million Beat AML campaign and a $100 million Children’s Initiative.

One driver of that success was Bianca’s creation of shared services for LLS’s 56 chapters. By providing fundraisers with turnkey collateral, templates, stewardship assets, data, and training, she drove efficiency and alignment. She partnered closely with regional and chapter leaders to localize major gift strategy. 

Bianca began her fundraising career at the American Red Cross, where she served as an internal consultant, leader of special initiatives, and resource to affiliate chapters in the Northeast. As the liaison between the national office and chapter fundraisers, Bianca developed a talent for gaining buy-in and aligning stakeholders around common goals. Bianca helped lead disaster fundraising and recovery in the Northeast, including the $100 million response to SuperStorm Sandy in the Northeast. 

Bianca holds an MS in Global Affairs from New York University and BAs in Economics and International Relations from Whitworth University. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and two Zoom-experienced cats, Pistache and Pomme.

Pronouns: She/her

Areas of expertise: strategic planning, capacity-building, talent development, change management, leadership gifts, case development, development operations

Causes I’m most passionate about: poverty alleviation, community development, social justice, cure research, international relations, women’s rights, education

Why I care about helping nonprofits grow: We see every day that there are problems no government or company can solve. Our communities depend on neighbors helping neighbors, broadly defined. Nonprofits enable people to be part of solutions—in many ways, including through providing the dollars that fuel the transformation of our world.

Hobbies: summer (generally), being outside, reading old (paper) books, taking film photos, exploring Brooklyn and France, crosswords, watercoloring, baking bread (before it was cool)

Unusual Talent: Crocheting tiny stuffed animals