Trisha Nkenge, MS
Associate Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations
University of Maryland Medicine Philanthropy

Background Info:

1. Can you tell us about your career trajectory? How did you come into donor relations as a career?
I found my way into donor relations unexpectedly. While I have always been very engaged in my community and philanthropic efforts, I didn’t initially realize my involvement in community engagement was, in fact, donor relations. My career in this field has been shaped by a strong passion for philanthropy and meaningful connection.

When I began working in development, I gained experience in stewardship, event planning, and donor communications. Over time, I discovered that my strengths naturally aligned with donor relations — ensuring that donors feel valued and connected to our institution’s mission. Through my work, I have evolved into a strategic partner, focusing on donor engagement, stewardship, and recognition efforts that enhance long-term relationships.

2. What influenced your interest in and passion for donor relations?
I am inspired by the impact that philanthropy has on organizations and communities. Seeing the tangible results of donor generosity — whether through scholarships, medical advancements, or programmatic growth — motivates me to create meaningful experiences that express gratitude and reinforce the importance of giving. I also find fulfillment in connecting donors with the outcomes of their contributions, ensuring that they feel personally engaged and recognized for their generosity.

3. What lessons, words of advice/inspiration would you like to pass on to other donor relations professionals?
Donor relations is about more than acknowledgment — it’s about storytelling, relationship-building, and fostering a culture of gratitude. My advice is to always be strategic and proactive in your approach. Understand donor motivations, personalize engagement, and collaborate across teams to create seamless experiences. Never underestimate the power of stewardship; a well-thought-out thank-you can pave the way for long-term relationships and transformational giving.

4. Can you speak to a specific donor engagement or stewardship activity that made you feel like you were providing the best experience for donors?
I truly enjoy connecting our donors to the beneficiaries of their giving, whether through video, virtual connections, or at an event. These initiatives allow us to connect with donors in a personalized and impactful way, showing them firsthand the difference their support makes. By incorporating video messages from leadership, beneficiaries, and faculty members, we bring gratitude to life and deepen donor engagement. Seeing donors’ emotional responses reinforces the importance of thoughtful and innovative stewardship.

Connection to ADRP:

1. When did you become an ADRP member?
I joined ADRP almost a year ago, as part of my commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

2. Why is ADRP membership important to you?
ADRP membership is valuable because it connects me with a community of donor relations professionals who share best practices, innovative strategies, and support for the evolving landscape of philanthropy. It provides access to resources, webinars, and networking opportunities that help me grow in my role and implement effective stewardship initiatives.

3. ADRP is universally recognized as the authority on donor engagement for the philanthropy profession. In your own words, how does ADRP serve you in the form of professional development?
ADRP serves as a valuable resource for my professional development by providing insights, best practices, and a network of donor relations professionals who share innovative strategies. The monthly newsletter keeps me informed about industry trends, and the opportunity to connect with colleagues through profiles and discussions has been instrumental in brainstorming new approaches. ADRP’s resources, webinars, and community engagement help me enhance my skills, stay ahead of emerging trends, and implement effective donor stewardship strategies in my role.

Kathryn Munro
Associate Vice President, Arts & Sciences Development
Dartmouth College

Background Info:

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

In my senior year at the University of Toronto (U of T), I was connected to the alumni relations office which needed administrative help with their annual reunion. This was before online registration was a thing, so I spent a lot of time stuffing invitations in the mailroom, doing data entry, and answering phone calls. 

This led to an interest in planning events and working with data. And I learned that I was able to quickly build rapport with alumni and donors. That early experience kick-started a pretty varied 25-year advancement career — from events to alumni relations, to principal gifts, to recognition and stewardship, to fundraising leadership — at both U of T and now at Dartmouth, where donor relations has been the through-line. 

Suzanne Bellanger
Senior Managing Director, DCF Marketing & Stewardship
Dartmouth College

One of the things I appreciate most about ADRP is the access to creative ideas, innovative practices, and helpful insights shared by peers across the industry. Recently, I was on the other side of the information sharing stream as a presenter for the January webinar “Elevating the Student Voice: Amplifying Impact Through Dynamic Stewardship.” Not only was it fun, but it also gave my colleague, Kate Barlow, and me the opportunity to reflect on a ton of hard work, celebrate our accomplishment, and share our findings with others who were truly interested. And the very best part was the new connections we made. In the days that followed, many fellow ADRPers reached out to ask questions, schedule time to chat or to simply say hi.

Honestly, both Kate and I were a little nervous about hosting the webinar. We debated what to include. Would the content be too much, too little, not relevant? Would people even care? We went through four or five iterations before we felt like we had something worthwhile. And then we made our team listen to us practice. And then listen again. And again. BUT all the prep work was worth it! Despite the mild anxiety about our presentation skills and insecurity about all the technicalities of executing a presentation via Zoom for almost 200 people, it all worked out. And, you know what? You can successfully host one too! Yes, you.

Here’s why:

• ADRP sets you up for success! Sadie Countryman and Sara Ring were our go-to support team who went above and beyond to make sure we had all the necessary tools. They offered useful tips, gave us plenty of practice time, and provided valuable technical support. Plus, they made the whole process fun.
• People want to hear from you! The strength of this organization lies in our talent. ADRP members apply creative ideas to solve similar problems and use innovative technology to elevate our work. Our best work happens when we learn collectively from others and apply that knowledge to help achieve our own unique goals. 
• You are awesome! Designing the presentation content afforded us the opportunity to look back on projects we’d successfully launched over the past year. That reflection felt really good! It helped motivate us as we headed into the second half of the year, which is always busy, busy, busy. 

ADRP hosts webinars all year long and great ideas are in high demand! Consider sharing what’s going on at your institution; I promise it will be valuable and rewarding. You are the strength and the heart of ADRP. Together we can do so much!  

Scott Eichinger 

2024-2025 ADRP President

Mary Weingartner
Managing Director, Donor Relations | UNICEF USA

Individualized Stewardship Plans in Principle and Practice was a virtual workshop focused on creating strategic individualized stewardship plans (ISPs) for donors and partners. Last month, six diverse facilitators brought experience from higher education, healthcare, community service, environmental, and humanitarian organizations to a three-hour professional development course consisting of a presentation, panel discussion, Q&A, and small group discussion. We shared best practices, ideas, ambitions, and challenges with 30 donor relations professionals from across the U.S. and Canada. Together, we explored the very real ways donor relations professionals can propel our relationships with individual donors, and we discussed how to establish ourselves as strategic partners.  

Before

In the planning stage, the facilitators repeatedly returned to a few themes, and ultimately, we developed a workshop that emphasized the following:

1. There is no “right” way to build an individualized stewardship program. Each organization is unique in size, donor base, staffing, and data quality, etc.
2. There is no “right” way to build an individualized stewardship plan. Each organization, donor, and relationship is unique.
3. Individualized stewardship plans should be rooted in data and strategy with the intention to help an organization reach specific goals.
4. Donor relations professionals bring expertise, knowledge, and a valuable strategic perspective to individualized stewardship planning. We are not the “deli counter.” We are consultants, strategists, consensus-builders, subject-matter experts, and much more.
5. Individualized stewardship planning programs are challenging to scale and sustain. They must be built cautiously and avoid putting donors in “permanent stewardship” with no strategic objective. 

During

The three-hour workshop truly flew by, and we packed in plenty. 

As Conference Chair, and Co-Chair, it is our honor to serve ADRP’s international community of donor relations professionals and industry partners for a milestone ADRP International Conference, being held this September (Tuesday 16th – Friday 19th), in Montreal, Canada. A seminal conference, this year’s gathering will live up to its name. We are delighted to host you for what will be ADRP’s first-ever truly international conference.

Aptly themed “Passport to Partnerships,” the 2025 conference explores the power of partnerships and their profound impact on our sector’s success. Whether collaborating across internal teams, joining forces with industry leaders, working closely with vendors, or engaging donors and their advisors, strategic partnerships are a gateway to a world of new possibilities. Creating these connections can build organizational capacity, amplify impact, expand our reach through shared networks, and create meaningful communities. At #ADRPMontreal, you will explore how partnerships can drive innovation and excellence in donor relations—consider this your official passport to a journey of discovery.

We cannot wait to see how ADRP’s diverse, international community will contribute to these important conversations. We hope to see you there!

P.S. Want to stay up to date on exciting announcements and deadlines? Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

	Dawn Green, Conference Chair Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation, Toronto
	Pandora Hess, Conference Co-Chair Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston

Scott Eichinger 

2024-2025 ADRP President

Scott Eichinger 

2024-2025 ADRP President

What were you doing when we founded ADRP? Where did you go from there? Where are you now? 
I was the first donor relations professional at Tufts University School of Medicine. I worked for a year at WGBH before moving to the Bay Area. I am now a development associate at Lifehouse Agency in Marin County, California.

What lessons, words of advice/inspiration would you like to pass on to other donor relations professionals?
If your organization doesn’t have a specific donor relations plan, introduce it to them! Create a plan, and make your mark!

ADRP Memory Lane:

Do you ever tell people about your early history with ADRP? If yes, what reaction do you get?
I do! People often think it’s really cool and it makes them more curious about fundraising.

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! 

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

Scott Eichinger 

2024-2025 ADRP President

Happy Spooky Season!