Blair Scholars Then & Now: A Series
Sarwat Maqbool
Executive Officer
Australian National University ANU College of Law

In 2021, I found myself at a pivotal point in my career, navigating the complexities of a world recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The tertiary education sector was facing a financial downturn, and professional development budgets were limited, making it a challenge for many industries. Amid this, donor relations practices were evolving rapidly, and I saw an opportunity to enhance my own career by gaining international exposure to donor relations professionals and their strategies. This led me to apply for the Sheryl A. Blair Scholarship, a platform that promised quality learning, a global network of professionals, and the chance to elevate my professional profile.

The journey began with the virtual 2021 ADRP annual conference. As someone based in Canberra, Australia, I attended the live sessions from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., adjusting to the time zone challenges. Despite the late hours, I quickly found a strong sense of community with fellow conference attendees. We shared experiences, supported one another, and encouraged each other through the long sessions. Those connections became an important source of professional and personal support.

A particularly special opportunity during my time as a Blair Scholar was the chance to participate in the ADRP mentoring program. Through this, I formed a meaningful relationship with my mentor, a bond that extended far beyond the program's conclusion. The guidance and advice I received from my mentor were invaluable, and our connection continued to thrive long after our formal mentoring sessions ended.

Anniversaries hold so much meaning. They signify the attainment of a milestone, serving as a time for reflection and connection. For those of us in the donor relations world, we understand the importance of acknowledging these significant moments.

Shortly after my arrival at Providence College (PC), the 10-year anniversary of our humanities building was approaching. We didn’t have previously established guidelines for celebrating and stewarding building anniversaries, so my new team and I seized this opportunity to make our mark and flex some creative muscles.

We tackled the project with intention: we wanted structure to inform our approach to anniversaries, striving for equity yet flexibility to tailor milestones to donors’ preferences. To establish the guidelines, we began by brainstorming ideas for internal and possibly external celebration, as well as stewardship touches that showcase impact and gratitude. Additionally, we researched PC’s prior building anniversary celebrations and stewardship to gauge expectations and equity, performed benchmarking against peer and local institutions, and spoke with donor relations experts for best practices. Going through this exercise served us well when presenting our final recommendations to senior management. 

So, how did we celebrate the 10-year building anniversary? We held an open house-style celebration during a high foot traffic time of day. The donor was invited but declined to attend. There was a cake-cutting, as well as other treats and mocktails during the celebration. Cards were placed on tables: a photo of the building on one side, a blank space on the other where we asked guests to reflect upon what this space means to them and/or to share messages of gratitude. A photographer was hired to capture the celebration and specific areas of the building, especially those spaces actively used by students.

After the event, we created a photo book that included a message from the president, many photos of significant moments and events held in the building over the decade, photos of distinctive features of the building, and images from the celebration. We scanned some of the notecards into the pages of the photo book, and for those less legible but great messages, we typed the quotes into the pages. Enclosed with the photo book was a Spreengs video card we custom-made with images of the building and college branding. The video featured the president, who introduced a faculty member. The faculty member was intentionally selected as he is an alum who has been working at the college for more than 10 years. The faculty member was filmed in the building, and he did a fantastic job articulating the building's impact from many perspectives. 

Scott Eichinger 

2024-2025 ADRP President

Happy Holidays to all of you! 

What were you doing when we founded ADRP? Where did you go from there? Where are you now? 

I launched an award-winning stewardship, donor relations, and special events department at University of California, Irvine (UCI). Because of my additional renown as a writer and speaker on development stewardship, I was recruited to offset the heavy east coast representation on ADRP’s founding board. I also recommended my colleague, Nancy McKinney from UC Berkeley. I was later promoted to Executive Director of Principal Gifts and eventually Executive Director and Secretary for the UCI Foundation Board of Trustees. I retired from UCI seven years ago and now volunteer at several Southern California  non-profits. 

What lessons, words of advice/inspiration would you like to pass on to other donor relations professionals?

1. Join ADRP! I can’t say enough about the importance of networking and learning best practices from people who have been highly successful with their programs.
2. Never say never! Though it sounds cliché, you wouldn't believe how many times I was told something couldn’t be done. I attribute my success to thinking outside the box and evolving with technology and other trends.
3. Don’t overthink things. Forego a professional videographer and use your cell phone. Donors don’t care if it’s professionally done - they care how their funds are making a meaningful difference.
4. If it's not meaningful, don’t do it. Focus your time and energy on the things that will have the most impact.
5. MORE is not better. Keep thank you letters short, add a few personal sentences and let donors know you will follow up on the use of their funds. 
6. FOLLOW-UP! Many times a donor’s first gift to an organization is a “test” to see how well you follow up.

ADRP Memory Lane

Scott Eichinger 

2024-2025 ADRP President

Underneath the chaos of hosting or attending Thanksgiving or “Friendsgiving” celebrations, planning and preparing new and favorite dishes, and navigating complex interpersonal dynamics (you can bet someone will ignite a heated debate)—the true spirit of community, generosity, and gratitude shines through. 

This was a challenging year for me and for many people I know. Through all the roadblocks and speed bumps, I turned to my community for support. And I turned to ADRP the most. I am incredibly grateful for the relationships I have built as part of this community. I’m convinced I wouldn’t have such a supportive network if I hadn’t accepted an invitation to volunteer with ADRP a decade ago.

In 2013, I began my journey as the Manager of Donor Relations at a small hospital foundation in New Jersey, a drastic shift from my previous role at a large university. I found myself in a two-person department, trying to build a donor relations program from scratch with limited resources.

With no budget for conferences, I paid my ADRP dues out of pocket and attended a few webinars and regional events. Then the 2014 ADRP International Conference was announced in Seattle, the cost seemed insurmountable, but I was determined to go. That’s when I discovered the Blair Scholarship. The chance to attend the conference felt like a rare opportunity to learn and connect with others in the field, especially as I navigated the transition from higher education to healthcare fundraising. The scholarship made that possible, and I couldn’t have been more grateful.

The conference itself exceeded my expectations. I distinctly remember the session “How I Met Your Metrics,” led by Amanda Jarman and Roberta O'Hara, where I found myself starstruck by Roberta, one of ADRP’s founding board members. I had admired her work from afar, and it felt surreal to be in the same room with her. That moment sparked an enduring mentorship, and over the years, Roberta has become a colleague and guide.

Beyond the sessions, the conference offered something else that was equally unforgettable: my first sighting of Mount Rainier. Driving from the airport to the hotel, I was awestruck by the mountain's immense presence. It was a perfect reminder of how big the world of donor relations really is.

Looking back, it’s hard to believe that it’s been over a decade since I received the Blair Scholarship. Since then, my career has taken me through multiple healthcare system mergers, and I’ve helped transform a small donor relations program into a robust network across several hospitals and medical centers. I’ve had the privilege of leading teams, mentoring junior colleagues, and watching them fall in love with the field I’m so passionate about. It’s been an incredible journey, and I owe much of my growth to the access, connections, and opportunities that ADRP has provided.

Scott Eichinger 

2024-2025 ADRP President

Happy Spooky Season!

Member Spotlight:  Scott Eichinger

Can you tell us about your career trajectory? How did you come into donor relations as a career?

Like many of our members, I stumbled into donor relations. At least that's how it feels. I may have been nudged into the field but didn't realize it until much later. My college advisor appointed me the theatre box office manager (my degree was in theatre management), and one of my tasks each year was to call all the donors to say thank you. I've been in donor relations since then.

What influenced your interest in and passion for donor relations?

Brie Aguila | ADRP 2023-2024 President 

Asst. Vice Chancellor for External Relations
Office of Advancement 
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Peace Out…

After returning from the 2024 International Conference, I am channeling my inner child…hence the “Peace Out” reference. As my term as president comes to a close, I’d like to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared over the past year. 

Kathy Billings
Retired

What were you doing when we founded ADRP? Where did you go from there? Where are you now?

In 2004 I was in my sixth year as the first Director of Donor Relations at Bowdoin College. I retired from Bowdoin in 2009, did some consulting and then devoted six years to caring for my parents at the end of their lives. In 2018, I published a short work of creative historical fiction called From a Distance. I am now in Scarborough, Maine, retired, in year three of a cancer journey – stable, enjoying beach walks with my dog and occasional visits from my two sons and grandchildren.

Brie Aguila | ADRP President Asst. Vice Chancellor for External Relations
Office of Advancement 
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

What a broken arm and donor relations have in common…

Sadly, my five-year-old daughter broke her arm about a month ago. I've found surprising parallels between this incident and life as a donor relations professional. First, they both bring something completely unexpected and unplanned. How many times do you get something completely unplanned dropped in your lap? It’s unlikely that a day goes by where that doesn’t happen, right?

Jaime Porter

Interim Vice President University Advancement Saint Xavier University

2004 – 2005 ADRP Founding Board Member

Rose Dalba

2004 – 2005 Founding Board Member