Dear ADRP Members and Friends,
We are deeply honored to serve you and our global philanthropic community as chairs of the 2024 Association of Donor Relations Professionals International Conference, September 15 - 18, 2024, in Indianapolis, IN.
This opportunity holds deep personal significance as ADRP has played a pivotal role in shaping fulfilling careers, forging lasting connections, and grounding us in gratitude. We wouldn’t be here without so many of you. ADRP's steadfast commitment to excellence, innovation, and nurturing authentic connections has truly been transformative, and to now have the privilege of contributing to an association that has profoundly influenced our lives is both humbling and inspiring.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
As we celebrate ADRP's 20th anniversary at this year's conference, we selected the theme, “To Be a Kid Again: 20 Years of Looking Up,” which seeks to capture the essence of joy, wonder, and untethered potential ADRP has consistently instilled in our profession and mission-driven organizations. The theme encourages us to try, fail, and then try, try, try again.
For two decades, ADRP has inspired us to lift our gaze and embrace the vast possibilities for positive change. By honoring this special role, ADRP has had in our lives, we aim to ignite innovative thinking and approach challenges with adventure and discovery. We also seek to break free from fixed mental pathways by reconnecting with the playfulness, curiosity, and untarnished optimism often associated with childhood.
The theme calls us to always look for the surprise, and we believe it aligns with our shared philanthropic purpose, reflecting the expansive, and imaginative spirit we bring to engage the donor community in the magic of positive change. Yet, beyond our own beliefs, we hope that you make the theme your own and dare to color outside the lines.
We would be remiss not to thank all the amazing volunteers who bring the conference to life year after year. They are true superheroes—their generosity and love for philanthropy are among their many superpowers.
Our 2024 ADRP International Conference Core Committee is making leaps and bounds to make this event a truly memorable one. Please join us in lifting up these exceptional volunteer leaders:
- Elizabeth (Libby) Dissauer
- Molly Hafer
- Amanda Halbert
- Leticia John
- Mitra Keykhah
- Liz Lauersdorf
- Carl Lockrem
- Megan McAndrews
- Samantha (Sam) Sanchez
- Keelin Schneider
Needing no cape, there are many more volunteers assisting them. And just like superheroes, they will make the ordinary extraordinary, and you won’t want to miss it.
Conference registration opens in May. The window to submit a session or workshop is now open and will close on March 18, 2024. Please consider sharing ways you elevate donor relations at this year's conference.
We are genuinely honored to collaborate with all of you in creating an event that not only advances our shared professional goals but also pays homage to ADRP’s transformative influence in philanthropy. Together, we will make this a celebration of inspiration, collaboration, and the boundless potential within each of us.
With sincere gratitude,
Kimberly Bernard Karol, CFRE, APR 
Chair
Dawn Green 
Chair-elect
