Regional Events

Regional Events

ADRP's Regional Events are planned by members, for members. From Happy Hours and Breakfasts to Workshops and Conferences, ADRP Regional Events bring together donor relations and stewardship professionals in local regions for collaborative networking opportunities in all areas of the U.S. 

We currently do not have any regional events planned, but many are in the works! Are you interested in hosting an event near you? 

Plan Or Sponsor A Regional Event

See below for our most recent Regional Events


 

2023 ADRP Southeast Regional Session Details 


Keynote: Laughter Through Tears: Using Authenticity, Vulnerability, and Humor to Develop Meaningful Relationships

Jennifer Richwine, Executive Director, Wake Washington Center 

Is crying at work really as bad as "they" say? Why IS sorry the hardest word? And what if you actually DO let them see you sweat? We will explore these questions and more in a lively conversation about how and why to be authentically vulnerable and vulnerably authentic in your relationships, personal and professional. We’ll discuss how to use humor to disarm and engage even the steeliest and most intimidating people you know. You might laugh. You might cry. But it will definitely be better than Cats.

Jennifer Richwine has more than 24 years of experience in special events and higher education. In 2014 she became Wake Forest University’s first executive director of the Wake Washington Center in D.C. In this capacity, she partners with campus to develop programs for alumni, parents, and friends in the D.C. area, as well as between and among faculty and students, building a bridge from campus to our nation’s capital.

Previously, she was assistant vice president of university events, responsible for the overall strategy, production, and execution of signature events. Jennifer’s passion for gratitude in the workplace led her to author the book With Gratitude–The Power of a Thank You Note, named the number one new release in business etiquette.


 

Breakout Sessions 1

1A.  Recognition Refresh Panel Discussion (Slides)

Host, Anne Manner-McLarty, Heurista

Jill Hirsekorn, Vice President, Communications and Marketing, Low Country Foodbank

Mary Pat Minor, Philanthropic Communications Manager, Prisma Health

Riviere Moody, Director of Donor Relations, The Citadel Foundation

Recognition can seem like the easy part of a donor relations professional's job, the one that we've done before and can easily repeat. Then something—a campaign, a high-profile construction project, new leadership, rebranding, a call to use new technology, or some mix of them all—demands that we rethink our recognition program. Join this panel of southeastern professionals who are managing growth and change in their recognition strategies. Hosted by Anne Manner-McLarty, the discussion will address the full spectrum of recognition, including naming opportunity valuation, policy, and planning; facility-based design and implementation; and the appropriate considerations for digital donor recognition.

Track: Skill Building                                         Industry: General

 

Anne Manner-McLarty is lead strategist for the donor recognition firm Heurista and managing editor of the Journal of Donor Relations and Stewardship. Anne founded Heurista in 2011 to address the growing complexities of donor relations and stewardship. She and her team work with nonprofits to develop authentic, sustainable programs that help realize nonprofit missions by engaging and motivating donors. She’s been an active ADRP member since 2005.

 

At Low Country Foodbank, Jill Hirsekorn gets the word out about hunger issues because everybody has the right to eat healthy food every day. Jill began her career at a McDonald’s Corporation advertising agency. She has built and directed communications departments in IT, human services, state government, and Fortune 500 companies. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas. She has a master’s level education from grandparenting her granddaughter, Harper, and a doctorate-level education from parenting her daughter, Madeline–both of whom are kind, highly intelligent, beautiful, and wonderful human beings.

With a strong marketing and public relations background, Mary Pat Minor found philanthropic communications and relations a natural career step. Having served in healthcare for 30+ years, she sees building relationships, connecting people, and finding others’ passions as drivers behind her daily work at Prisma Health—strategically identifying and developing donor recognition opportunities while strengthening the culture of philanthropy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising from East Tennessee State University and was inducted into their Hall of Fame for Advertising. A Greenville native, she and her husband, John, have four children: Lillian, Frances, Eleanor, and Jay (a Citadel alumnus).

With an extensive background in class campaigns and annual giving, Riviere Moody moved into her current role in June 2021 and began donor relations and stewardship efforts based on her knowledge of the gift officer side of the field.  She also manages Foundation events and focuses on using data to enhance the current model, bringing new energy to retention and the donor life cycle. Riviere holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in business administration from Presbyterian College (Go Blue Hose!).  A Greenville native, Riviere and her husband, Matt, have a daughter, Cora, a fluffy rescue cat, Mo, and loving rescue pup, Cali.


 

1B.  Career Advancement: Next-Level Support (Slides)

Judi North, Director of Development, Currey Ingram Academy

Where are you? How did you get here? Do you sometimes feel like an imposter? That you don’t belong or don’t know what you know? Do you struggle to gain the support of your superiors or to get their buy-in for your ideas? Join this interactive session to break through negative self-talk and look for that next-level support.

Track: Leadership/Management                               Industry: General

With 23 years of advancement experience, Judi North has worked with exceptional leaders and teams to develop and execute comprehensive annual gifts, major gifts, and capital campaigns; create marketing initiatives and branding guidelines; and implement community-building experiences. Her focus on strategic planning, organizational management, and streamlining processes and procedures had enabled her to strengthen the culture of philanthropy with internal and external audiences. Judi earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology/human development from Rivier University and a master’s in nonprofit management and philanthropy from Bay Path University. She is completing a master’s in independent school leadership at Vanderbilt Peabody College.


 

1C.  Not Just a Scholarship Luncheon (Slides)

Flora Fox, Director, Donor Experience, University of Miami

Let's talk scholarship events! Is your shop considering ways to revive your traditional scholarship luncheon or looking for ways to make the event more meaningful for donors and scholars? Hear how University of Miami revamped their scholarship luncheons to events that revitalized the donor and student experience.

Track: Innovation/Creativity                       Industry: Higher Education

At the University of Miami, Flora Fox leads endowment and impact reporting, student impact messages project, and the Scholarship Donor Celebration event. One of Flora's priorities is to streamline the reporting process through accurate fund awarding and data management. Flora joined the University of Miami in 2015 and has more than 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in management and leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.

 


Breakout Sessions 2

2A.  Creating Tools for DEI Fund Management (Slides) (Handout)

Kristy Wasilewski, Associate Director, Donor Services, NC State University

As requests for diversity, equity, and inclusion funds increase, institutions must be mindful of laws and regulations that impact the development of these funds. This session will discuss those regulations, parties who should be at the table, and methods for complying with regulations while also meeting donor intent, including how to develop tracking mechanisms for these funds.

Track: Skill Building                                        Industry: Higher Education

Kristy Wasilewski has more than ten years of experience documenting and improving processes at nonprofits and institutes of higher education. Her specialties at NC State include streamlining the centralized endowment reporting process, overseeing distinguished professorship agreements, and helping to manage the corporate and nonstandard gift agreement review process. Kristy holds a bachelor's degree in English/communications from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and a master's degree in public administration with an emphasis on nonprofit management from NC State.


2B.  Women in Leadership: Contemporary Steel Magnolias (Slides)

Panel discussion with host Melissa DeClue, Director of Annual Giving, Prisma Health Midlands Foundation, and Chief Engagement Officer, Amplify Missions, with panelists Shawn Spann Edwards, CEO and Principal Consultant, Solutions by Shawn Edwards; Melissa Levesque, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina; and Leigh Jones Handal, Chief Advancement Officer at American College of the Building Arts

Track: Leadership/Management                               Industry: General

Melissa DeClue coaches and empowers emerging and existing passionate non-profit founders with tools to amplify their mission through transformative donor experiences and community-centric strategies. With over ten years of experience building relationships in fundraising and higher education, Melissa has built community and donor engagement programs that led to successful fundraising for gifts over six figures. Her holistic perspective and approach are reflected in the five guiding principles of donor engagement: receipt, thank you, access, impact, and invite. When she is not creating great opportunities for the community, she spends time with her wonderful husband and five children in Lexington, SC.

Dr. Shawn Spann Edwards is an organizational development professional with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and human resources, and process management. She is CEO and principal consultant of Solutions by Shawn Edwards, which helps organizations and firms build equitable and inclusive strategies, emphasizing strategy, systems, culture, and leadership. She is also a professor in the College of Charleston’s School of Business. Edwards earned a doctorate in business from Temple University, her MBA with a human resource management concentration, and her bachelor’s degree in management from Webster University. Shawn serves on various nonprofit boards and as a mentor to young professionals.

With four decades of experience in fundraising, public relations, and marketing, Leigh Handal has still never decided what she wants to be when she grows up. After being tapped by Mayor Joe Riley to co-edit Charleston's official history and tour guide training manual, Leigh opened her boutique tour company, Charleston Raconteurs, in 2015. She is author of Lost Charleston, Storied & Scandalous Charleston, and Charleston Then and Now (March 2024), and writes the "Do You Know Your Lowcountry?" column for the Charleston Post and Courier. In her spare time, Leigh follows her passion rescuing and loving homeless, misunderstood rabbits. She serves as ethics chair for AFP’s Lowcountry Chapter and received their Outstanding Professional Fundraiser Award.

For over 25 years, Melissa Levesque has been a leader in the nonprofit, financial, and grantmaking sectors known for her strategic vision and ability to motivate and lead successful teams to top-caliber performance. She serves as a board member and treasurer of the South Carolina Planned Giving Council, a mentor for the College of Charleston’s MBA Mentorship Program, a member of the planning committee for the Carolinas Planned Giving Conference, and a member of Philanthropy Southeast’s Public Policy Committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Queens University of Charlotte and a J.D./master’s degree in historic preservation from the University of Georgia. 


 

2C.  Designing Stewardship Programs that Work (Slides)

Kendra Wieneke, Associate Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Hear how one college used design thinking to build and launch a collaborative, scalable planned giving stewardship program. Learn how to turn challenges into opportunities for success, as we share preliminary success stories and evaluation metrics for this program. We will discuss holistic program components such as toolkits, collaboratively managed stewardship plans, impact reporting, and custom stewardship touches that have creatively and effectively re-engage this important constituency base. You can also participate in brainstorming exercises around planned giving stewardship, and how this approach is effective at building professional empathy between frontline fundraisers and stewardship officers, improving creative confidence within your team.

Track: Innovation/Creativity                       Industry: General

Kendra Wieneke directs her stewardship and donor relations program, leaning on her background in the arts, innovation, and design to create scalable solutions for the college's diverse constituency base. She sees stewardship as the center of everything and enjoys collaborating with gift officers, business managers, and communications professionals as much as possible. When Kendra is not at work, you can find her teaching yoga, seeking out live music, reading a good novel, or cuddling up and snuggling with her pup, Chewie.


Breakout Sessions 3

3A.  Taking the “ACK” out of Acknowledgments (Slides) (Handout)

Debbie Meyers, Writer/Editor, Rutgers University Foundation

Does thanking your donors seem like a thankless task? Is it painful to draft acknowledgments from your leadership? Are your letters boring and rote? Let's take the "ack" out of acknowledgments. Learn how to make your thank-yous more authentic, creative, and easy to write. In this workshop, we'll talk about making your letters donor-focused, who should sign, what formats you can use, and other acknowledgment basics. We'll also talk about a formula to use to overcome writer's block when you put virtual pen to paper.

Track: Skill Building                                        Industry: General

Having worked in advancement for more than 30 years, Debbie Meyers has honed her editorial skills by writing countless acknowledgments, talking points, proposals, gift agreements, and impact reports. She created or enhanced operations, communications, donor relations, and stewardship programs at several major universities, a Catholic high school, an art museum, and a regional health center. An ADRP founding board member, Debbie chaired the international conference in 2011 and has a consecutive streak of presenting at every international conference. She and her former drum major husband live in southwest New York with their three spoiled rescue dogs, Bo, Boo, and Marco Polo.


 

3B.  Becoming a Leader in Advancement—Life Lessons (Slides)

Jill Forehand, Director of Donor Relations and Prospect Development, Georgia Southern University

Always an officer, never the president—that’s how Jill preferred things in college. Let me be involved, but not too involved. She took that same approach to work. Let me be valued, but not too valued. Let me have responsibility, but not too much. Then it happened: she became a director with one assistant, then another. Another area was assigned to her, then another. What was happening? In this session, we will talk about leadership, how to be a good leader, what your bosses are looking for, and how to get that seat at the table you didn't think you even wanted.

Track: Leadership/Management               Industry: Higher Education

Jill Forehand began her career at Georgia Southern and for some crazy reason, she has never left. She's worked all angles of university advancement, beginning her career as a gift accountant, which evolved into a scholarship coordinator, which evolved into a donor relations officer, which evolved into the director of donor relations. Now, in her 23rd year at Georgia Southern, she oversees prospect development, donor relations, and advancement events. Jill has a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in business from Georgia Southern.


 

3C.  Expressing Gratitude via Video (Slides)

Katie Layton, Assistant Director of Donor Relations, University of Tennessee Foundation

Learn how to express gratitude using a video component while also educating a community of students, faculty, and staff on the importance of expressing gratitude to those who make so much possible. We will discuss innovative ideas focused on stewardship through videos. We will also highlight how to use a video platform to send wholesome, heartfelt, and engaging videos to donors for various occasions.

Track: Innovation/Creativity                       Industry: General

Katie Layton has more than ten years of experience in donor relations—starting as a student assistant and now as an assistant director working in the higher education realm at Columbus State University, Georgia State University, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, as well as serving as development coordinator at the Atlanta Humane Society.  She recently earned her master’s degree in management and human resources at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  In addition, she earned her Society for Human Resource Management – Certified Professional certificate.  A native of Atlanta, Katie enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her dogs, Poppy and Walter.


 

The UNSESSION: How do YOU do it?

Scott S. Eichinger, Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship, The National Park Foundation

Need to know how to do something? Wondering how other places do it? Want to learn more about something that’s not covered in other sessions? Now’s your chance to ask a room full of your peers.

ADRP board member Scott Eichinger has nearly 20 years of nonprofit fundraising experience in performing arts, higher education, and environmental advocacy. His areas of expertise include donor engagement, special events, individual giving, direct response, recognition, and reporting. Scott leads a four-person donor relations and stewardship team for the National Park Foundation. Previously, he worked for the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and Maryland Fund for Excellence (both at the University of Maryland), Environmental Law Institute, and the Shakespeare Theatre Company. Scott has a master’s degree in arts management from American University and a bachelor’s in theatre management from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.


 

Breakout Sessions 4

4A.  When Did We Become Data Geeks? (Slides) (Handout)

Jessie Blekfeld-Sztraky, Assistant Director of Stewardship, NC State University

Hey, donor relations and development operations practitioners—do you want to improve your data management skills? Listen to some real-life examples of roadblocks and success stories that show practical applications for data management. Learn the importance of understanding the technical details of project implementation and how relying on outdated methods can impede progress. And hear about how to use ChatGPT to write JavaScript and run code for complex data segmentation for a Day of Giving stewardship campaign, which resulted in significant improvements in real-time stewardship efforts. Attendees should have a basic understanding of spreadsheets, but no experience in AI or coding is required.

Track: Skill Building            Industry: General

Jessie Blekfeld-Sztraky is passionate about streamlining and optimizing operations to ensure a top-notch donor experience. She collaborates with campus partners to manage the university's Day of Giving stewardship efforts and leads scholarship stewardship impact reporting. Jessie also is a vital leader of Pack Appreciation Day, an annual student event promoting donor appreciation and building a culture of philanthropy. Beginning as a temporary staff member in alumni relations at UNC School of Law, she transitioned to the advancement services team and was hired full-time as an advancement services manager. Jessie holds a bachelor's degree in international economics, business, and Asian studies from Mary Baldwin University.


 4B.  From Me to We: Amplifying Each Other At Work (Slides)

Juliette Kesterson, Director of Donor Relations, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Jenna Dulling, Assistant Director of Board Relations and Donor Experience, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Are you ready to be a better colleague? Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start when you aren’t a part of the leadership team. That’s where WE come in. This interactive session explores the concept of amplification: about being heard, and looking at who is actually heard and by whom on any given team. We will focus on inequities among groups in the workplace, empowering your colleagues, and allyship. Gain the knowledge and strategy to amplify yourselves and fellow team members to ensure that every voice matters in your organization—a mindset change that benefits everyone.

Track: Leadership/Management

Industry: General

Juliette Kesterson has a background in stewardship, donor relations, annual giving, and adult education. In her current role, she coordinates stewardship and donor relations initiatives across campus, with a focus on top donor needs, recognition societies, donor events, and ThankView initiatives. Having been in advancement for more than ten years, she is a passionate supporter of DEI and seeks to educate others about gender inequities and how to raise each other up. She holds a bachelor’s degree from York College of Pennsylvania and is pursuing a master’s degree in educational psychology with an adult learning concentration.

Jenna Dulling has a background in leadership, board management, executive communication, stewardship, and donor relations. In her current role, she focuses on advisory board governance and unit-specific stewardship initiatives. An advancement professional for nearly six years, Jenna has continually developed her unit’s stewardship strategy as its endowment has grown to nearly $4 million. While pursuing her master’s degree in adult education, she found her passion for empowering individuals through situational awareness and self-directed learning. Jenna holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee.


 

4C.  Scholarship Roundtable: Ethics and Logistics (Slides)

Jill Forehand, Director of Donor Relations and Prospect Development, Georgia Southern University
Sara Moïse, Senior Director of Donor Relations, Tulane University

Time to discuss all things scholarships–logistics, ethics, and optics. Join Jill and Sara for a discussion covering hot topics, everything from scholarship criteria that put our universities at risk, to changing the way we treat scholarship recipients, and the old-school narrative of saying “thank you.” We will use this time to talk about best practices and discuss emerging trends in our industry. 

Track: Innovation/Creativity

Industry: Higher Education

Jill Forehand began her career at Georgia Southern and for some crazy reason, she has never left. She's worked all angles of university advancement, beginning her career as a gift accountant, which evolved into a scholarship coordinator, which evolved into a donor relations officer, which evolved into the director of donor relations. Now, in her 23rd year at Georgia Southern, she oversees prospect development, donor relations, and advancement events. Jill has a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in business from Georgia Southern.

After graduating from the University of Southern California believing (incorrectly) that she was destined to become an attorney,  Sara Moïse began her career in philanthropy as a jack-of-all-trades at the Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program in Los Angeles. She then specialized in stewardship at Keck Medicine of USC, running an acknowledgment and recognition program during a $6B campaign. After stretching her wings at cultural and advocacy organizations, she found that higher education is home and leads a best-in-class stewardship and donor relations program for Tulane University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a certificate in fundraising and institutional development from UCLA.


 

Breakout Sessions 5

5A.  Creating Individualized Stewardship Plans for Your Top Donors (Slides)

Corey Smentek, Director, Donor Relations and Stewardship, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Are you looking for ways to align stewardship more closely with cultivation? Bringing donor relations and stewardship to the forefront of the overall donor strategy is paramount to donor retention. Learn how to implement an individualized stewardship plan program for major and principal donors. This session will demonstrate a step-by-step plan, walking you through the implementation, execution, and maintenance stages, and will provide you with tools to assist with the management of the program.

Track: Skill building

Industry: Higher Education

Corey Smentek has worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for 16 years, beginning in trustee relations before moving into fundraising. After managing MIT’s highest-level volunteer fundraising committee, Corey joined donor relations and stewardship in 2014 performing a wide array of functions, from acknowledgments to reporting, recognition, and engagement. Corey develops and executes broad-based and individualized stewardship plans for major and principal gift donors and oversees MIT’s acknowledgment program. She has served as co-chair of ADRP’s marketing committee since 2021, elevating ADRP’s presence on social media. She is a member of the international conference core planning team as marketing co-chair in 2022 and 2023.


 

5B.  Donor Love, For Life: Planned Giving (Slides)

Suzanne Bellanger, Associate Director, Direct Response and Stewardship Marketing, Brown University
Sierra Rosen, Executive Director, Planned Giving, Brown University

Planned gifts can have a transformational impact on an organization. Because they have uncertain timelines and are mostly revocable, we must take special care to craft a plan that secures the donor relationship for decades to come. The session includes an overview of the impact planned gifts can have on an organization’s current and future revenue stream, along with industry stats and compelling anecdotes, focusing on three key elements of a successful plan.

Learn how to create and execute a comprehensive, cost-effective stewardship plan for legacy donors that helps show the impact of their future gifts now.

Track: Leadership/Management

Industry: Higher Education

Suzanne Bellanger leads the strategy, development, and execution of stewardship marketing and donor recognition programs for units across the advancement division. She previously held client management and marketing strategy roles at other mission-based organizations as well as marketing agencies focused on the non-profit sector. Suzanne is passionate about giving back and holds board of director positions for the Marion Art Center and Girls on The Run Rhode Island, and volunteers as a grant writer for Our Sisters School in New Bedford. Suzanne has been an ADRP member since 2017 and is on the Hub's editorial board, as well as a frequent contributor.

With 15 years of experience in development, Sierra Rosen brings a strong combination of skills and collaborative abilities in assessing and managing planned giving programs. She is passionate about helping non-profits advance their mission to create a sustainable future through planned giving. During her career, she has worked on multiple capital campaigns and acquired a deep and nuanced understanding of best practices in all areas of development, including annual giving, planned giving, and principal gifts. Sierra holds a master’s degree in taxation and a JD from Northeastern University, and a bachelor’s degree from Gordon College.


 

5C.  Creating with Culture: Community Voice in Marketing (Slides)

Rachel D'Souza-Siebert, Founder and Chief Purpose Officer, Gladiator Consulting
Ann Fisher-Jackson, Founder, Anavo Strategies
Faybra Hemphill, Interim Executive Director, Forward Through Ferguson
Monti Hill, Digital Coordinator, Grassroots Leadership

 

In raising money and visibility, nonprofits have historically harmed the communities and individuals they seek to serve. Stories of hardship and survival have been manipulated to increase donor engagement often in ways that cause disrespect and harm. Many non-profit marketing professionals know how storytelling can connect the organization’s work to the community in meaningful, transformational ways. When used appropriately, equitable, justice-aligned storytelling should not only honor the stories and experiences of those for whom an organization is set to serve but also invite others into the movement or organization. This facilitated discussion will explore community-centered storytelling, and what it takes to get there.

Track: Innovation/Creativity          Industry: General

Rachel D'Souza-Siebert has served as an innovator and pioneer in the community-centric fundraising movement, a global initiative to reimagine the nonprofit sector through a lens of radical collaboration, racial equity, social justice, and decolonization, and is a member of the CCF Global Council. Additionally, Rachel is president-elect for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater St. Louis Regional Chapter and has been an active supporter of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network and EPIP -Emerging Professionals in Philanthropy. She is pursuing her second master’s degree at the Washington University School of Law and hopes to build more transformative connections between the nonprofit and public sectors.

For ten years, Ann Fisher-Jackson has supported nonprofits and technology start-ups as they built out and implemented equitable communications and growth strategies. She found herself working alongside visionary leaders who sought to translate their dreams into solutions and action plans. Using skills developed throughout her childhood, education, and career, she built strategies, project plans, tools, templates, and aligned messaging to motivate and align staff teams, funders, customers, and target audiences toward a common vision. Ann has supported systems change and direct service nonprofits, government entities, and grantmaking institutions developing strategies and creating accountability in communications, fund development, equitable engagement, and strategic planning.

Faybra Hemphill is an experienced facilitator who enjoys participating in courageous conversations. Lead racial equity capacity catalyst and interim executive director of Forward Through Ferguson, she has a background in organizing community engagement, supporting nonprofit organizational startups, and facilitating racial equity initiatives. Her work has touched community advocates representing institutions, initiatives, and coalitions of varying identities, reaching approximately 400 changemakers and close to 100 institutions over the span of her three years at FTF. A proud St. Louisan, She holds a master’s degree education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a bachelor’s in African American Studies from Saint Louis University.

Monti Hill carries multiple hats in several spaces of her work. She is the founder of Black and Brown Leadership in Politics and the founder of MH Designs. As an organizer, Monti worked on state and federal elections, as a candidate recruiter for the Missouri Democratic Party, and with the Democratic Congressional Campaign in Southern Illinois. Her journey in obtaining skills, knowledge, and leadership has allowed her to work with some dynamic organizations like WEPOWER, Forward Through Ferguson, Generate Health, and the National Women’s Political Caucus-St. Louis Chapter. Monti is a skilled photographer, painter, and graphic designer weaving art into social justice and change.

 

2023 ADRP Midwest Regional Session Details 


Keynote

Being the Story Guardian (Presentation)

To realize a truly meaningful, abundant and resilient donor relationship requires joining them on their journey and co-creating a mutual story of positive impact.  And all too often in today’s world of hyper specialization, philanthropic organizations tend to lean towards slicing up the activities of the donor journey and split it up among a group of individuals.  This often leads to missed opportunities to craft an exceptional donor experience and ensure that their journey is cohesive and lasting. This is where the donor relations can be the guardian of the story that threads through the entire donor journey.  The donor relations professional can help from day one to bring out the best in teams that interact with the donor.  Regardless of an organization’s size or resources, there are ways in which to create breakthrough experiences for donors.

The session will concentrate on the donor relations professional as the story guardian.  And it will incorporate insights, tools and cases from the world of donor psychology, experience design and future proofing technologies.  

 

Michael T.S. Lindenmayer is on faculty at Northwestern University for the Philanthropy and Non-profit Program.  He co-authored Charity and Philanthropy for Dummies.  For the past 20 years he has worked closely with leadership in both donor and non-profit organizations in the US, Europe and South Asia.  These ranged in size from start-up organizations up to the largest non-profits and donors.  He is also a trusted advisor for family offices.

Michael has held appointments at the University Chicago Booth School of Business, Harvard Graduate School of Design, Stanford School of Medicine and UC Berkeley School of Engineering.  He is an avid champion of the donor profession and is always exploring ways in which to help others grow their expertise in this field.  

 


Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session I: Marketing is Impact (Presentation)

Brandon Davis, Vice President of Brand Engagement, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

The importance of marketing and brand in donor relations is a trend that is becoming increasingly prevalent. Your organization’s brand is a powerful tool that can be used to ground meaningful donor experiences in your mission and strengthen engagement with supporters. Join this conversation with Brandon Davis, Vice President of Brand Engagement for the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, to learn how you can embrace a marketing mindset and integrate your organization’s brand into your Donor Relations strategies.

 

Brandon Davis joined the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago in 2021. He oversees all aspects of the YMCA of Metro Chicago’s marketing, experience design and events, and brand communications across all business areas. By bringing together a traditional marketing function with customer experience, communications, and brand strategy, Brandon is driving efficiency, innovation, and creativity to elevate the Y and its 14 centers and various programs across Chicagoland, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Previously, Brandon served as the Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. He also was responsible for leading strategic communications, public relations, and corporate social responsibility initiatives at CNA Insurance.

 


Breakout Session II – Pandemic Pivot, Digital Disrupt, and the Engagement Evolution (Presentation)

Carlos Terrazas, Vice President of University Partnerships, BrightCrowd

Rebekah Nowak, Director of Donor Relations, University of Chicago

Jasett Ktsanes, Associate Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship, Northwestern University

Join Carlos Terrazas, Rebekah Nowak, and Jasett Ktsanes in conversation about how the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to reimagine much of our essential work, basic tasks, and critical needs. This panel discussion will offer reflections on how stewardship, events, and communications have changed in the past few years, and where we are headed as our industry evolves, constituent expectations change and new technology becomes more mainstream.

 

As a natural connector, Carlos Terrazas has spent much of his life in roles (personally and professionally) bringing people and organizations together to solve problems, facilitate valuable introductions and build community. In his current role at BrightCrowd, he is focused on building partnerships with universities as well as corporate and nonprofit organizations.  Previously he worked for 13 years at his alma mater, Northwestern University, in various alumni relations and development roles. He spent the first 10 years of his career in sales and marketing roles in the insurance and employee benefits industry.

 

Rebekah Nowak is the director of donor relations at the University of Chicago.  She has been in this role since the beginning of 2023 and previously worked at Northwestern University in donor relations for over 10 years.  Her undergraduate degree is from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN and a master’s degree in nonprofit management from DePaul University.

 

 

 

Jasett Ktsanes began her career in higher education development in 2011 after fundraising for the American Cancer Society. Since then, she has taken on roles in principal gifts and donor relations at Northwestern University (as well as a stint at North Carolina State University). She graduated with a bachelor’s in history from Northwestern and is currently completing her master’s in higher education administration and policy also at Northwestern.

 

  


Panel Discussion – Principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Donor Relations (Presentation)

Aja Castillo, Manager of Global People and Culture/DEI, Rotary International, Moderator

Natalie Coles, Senior Director of Midwest Advancement, The Obama Foundation

Jessica Grimmett, Senior Director, CCS Fundraising

Megan Whitney, Senior Manager II, Network Fundraising Services, Feeding America

A panel discussion on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion values and frameworks. Panelists will discuss how donor relations professionals can incorporate these values into their everyday donor engagement, recognition, and stewardship practices.

 

Aja Castillo is a dedicated DEI practitioner with a strong focus on enhancing the employee experience and fostering a culture of belonging within her organization. As a passionate advocate for psychological safety, Aja believes in creating an environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and heard.

With a background in human resources, Aja takes a proactive approach to drive meaningful change within Rotary. Through hosting staff podcasts, facilitating DEI conversations, and leading impactful workshops, Aja guides individuals and teams to action real-life scenarios, encouraging thoughtful and deliberate resolutions.

As a certified mediator, Aja is well-versed in conflict resolution techniques and believes in the power of building healthy relationships through open and effective communication. Aja understands the significance of shared experiences and building community, fostering connections that lead to a stronger, more inclusive workforce.

Aja is dedicated to holding her organization accountable for their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. By providing guidance, support, and implementing strategies, Aja helps the organization navigate their DEI journey and create sustainable and impactful change.

With a commitment to fostering a culture of belonging, Aja strives to empower individuals, teams, and the organization to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential values for success in today's diverse and ever-evolving workplace.

 

Natalie R. Coles is an unexpected fundraiser. Her professional path began with a thriving career as a young marketing executive working in the music industry for Bertelsman Music Group. Following a successful and fun tenure working with music’s biggest names, she found her skills quickly translated to most industries where data drove sales. She successfully led Sales at Victoria’s Secret Stores before her life changed after starting a family. Although she enjoyed the hustle of sales and marketing, using her talents to create a better world took priority when her children began to arrive.

She entered the non-profit sector having worked for The Girl Scouts and United Way. Eventually she spent over seven years as the Area Development Director of the United Negro College Fund and most recently as the Vice President for Advancement and Government Relations at Wilberforce University, the nation’s first historically black university. In this role Natalie leads a team of professional fundraisers and marketing experts and drove contributed income from $2M to over $35M inside two years.

Areas of expertise include principal and major gift solicitation, corporate engagement, diversity advancement, donor and stakeholder stewardship, staff training and mentoring and strategy development.  Natalie is the Chairwoman of the Bexley Public Library Board of Trustees and a board member of the ACLU of Ohio. Natalie is currently active in The Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Natalie is the first person in her family to complete college and earned her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University.  She also holds a master’s degree from the Mount Vernon Nazarene University School of Business. She is a Certified Fundraising Professional, (CFRE) who has dedicated her life to helping what she considers the world’s most precious resource, marginalized children, and young adults.

She and her husband Derrick have three children, Angelina, Christopher, and Alexander. In her spare time Natalie can be found with her horse Tanita on the polo field, at her children’s many sporting events or in Boston with a lobster roll, where her daughter attends college. She and her family are dedicated to the care and well-being of marginalized children, issues of equity and opportunity and preserving our home and planet, earth.

 

Megan Whitney’s belief that everyone deserves nutritious meals led her to joining Feeding America in 2016. After spending three years on the corporate partnerships team, she now serves on the Network Fundraising Services team. As a consultant and coach, Megan collaborates with food bank teams to build fundraising capacity and engage in the Community-Centric Fundraising movement.  Megan’s passion for the power of mindfulness to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) led her to create the Feeding America Network Mindfulness Community and act as a member of the Network EDI Advisory Committee. 

Megan is trained in Presence-Based Coaching and is a certified Search Inside Yourself Organizational Teacher of mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and self-compassion tools. In her personal coaching business, Megan helps women in nonprofits overcome burnout and reclaim rest.

Prior to Feeding America, Megan spent eight years at IES Abroad, a nonprofit study abroad provider. She has a master's degree in Nonprofit Management from DePaul University. Megan lives in Chicago and loves baking with her niece, doing vinyasa and hatha yoga, and reading cookbooks and fiction.

 

Jessica Grimmett joined CCS Fundraising in January 2020. CCS is a strategic fundraising firm that partners with nonprofits for transformational change. Throughout her career at the firm, Jessica has partnered with over a dozen clients across the religious, education, arts and culture, animal welfare, and environmental sectors. Jessica currently works with the Saint Louis Zoo and leads all day-to-day operations of their largest capital campaign. This multimillion-dollar effort is focused on establishing a new zoological and conservation site in North County St. Louis, re-imagine the current children’s zoo, and further strengthening the organization’s endowment.

As someone who has seen the truly transformative power of building relationships, Jessica is dedicated to driving social impact both professionally and personally. Within CCS, Jessica serves as the officer of the DEI Working Group for the Central US. She holds a BSW from Olivet Nazarene University and an MSW from Washington University in St. Louis. She currently resides in Chicago

 


 

Workshop Session I – Recognition Refresh Workshop (Presentation)

Caitlin Foster, Senior Gift Officer, Donor Relations, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation

Do you struggle to recognize your donors in meaningful, consistent, and equitable ways? Join Lurie Children’s Hospital as they discuss their thoughtfully refreshed Donor Recognition Policy, which outlines recognition principles and procedures, gift minimums for spaces, positions and entities, and more. Through a series of interactive case studies, attendees will learn how donor recognition principles and policy can be applied at any size shop.

 

Caitlin Foster is a Senior Gift Officer in Donor Relations at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation where she has worked since 2018. She has more than a decade of experience in development and donor relations, and prior to working at Lurie Children’s was at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. In her current role she manages the donor recognition program at Lurie Children’s and partners with fundraisers on stewardship, engagement and recognition strategies. Caitlin received her BA in Political Science and Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame and has a master’s degree in Public Health from DePaul University.

 


Workshop Session II – The Secrets of Great Stories (Presentation)

Etelka Lehoczky, Digital Content Editor/Writer, Rotary International

Storytelling is a critical skill for every fundraising professional to master. But how do you craft stories that convert your supporters into believers? How do you make your stories compelling, relevant, and inspiring across channels? This hands-on workshop will show participants how to craft impactful stories, providing tools and ideas to produce engaging, inspirational communications. Presenter Etelka Lehoczky will begin the workshop with a journalist’s “how-to” that will outline the basics of great storytelling. Participants will then learn to apply these basics to a range of formats, including impact reports, press releases, and social media.

 

Etelka Lehoczky has more than 20 years’ experience writing for publications including the New York Times, the Atlantic, NPR, Inc. magazine, Money magazine, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune. Currently she’s an online writer and editor for Rotary International. As a book critic, Etelka has reviewed hundreds of titles in almost every genre. She’s also written a wide variety of content, including white papers, blog posts, corporate biographies and websites. Her work has been featured in textbooks in multiple countries. She lives in Chicago.

 

 

2023 ADRP NEMA Regional Session Details 

View The Full Program

Keynote: Inspired and Inspiring: Discovering How to Tap into Your Strengths (Presentation) (Handout)

Catherine Koverola, Ph.D.

As a donor relations professional, you enter the field passionate about making a difference in the world. Inspired by the missions of the organizations you serve and inspiring others to engage philanthropically, you have a phenomenal positive impact on the lives of others. Yet in this post-COVID reality, the struggle is real—doing more with less, toxic work environments, health and mental health issues, grief, and loss.

So how do you stay “inspired and inspiring” in this increasingly challenging world we all navigate?

Drawing on decades of experience as a clinical psychologist, educator, executive leader, and outstanding fundraiser, our keynote speaker Catherine Koverola will guide you through a process of self-assessment that provides powerful insights and tools to tap into your strengths. You will learn that it is not about working harder and digging deeper, but rather, about understanding the complexities you face and knowing how to effectively engage your unique strengths to advance your outcomes. No matter the situation, our strengths are there for us.

Catherine Koverola is a psychologist and higher education executive leader with a lifelong commitment to supporting the health, wellbeing, and education of others on a global scale. She has over 30 years of private practice and consultation experience and progressive leadership that includes serving as dean, provost, and university president. Her expertise also includes executive coaching and leadership development; fundraising; culturally relevant program development; facilitating organizational change in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and successful start-up launches. Her experience encompasses life and work on three continents and embodies a well-honed intercultural wisdom within practice


Breakout Sessions

Breakout Sessions I

Every Donor has a Story (Presentation)

Kathryn Munro, Executive Director, Recognition and Stewardship, Dartmouth College

A critical goal of our work is understanding why individuals and organizations support our institutions. What inspires them to invest? Why now? Early in its $3.5 billion+ campaign The Call to Lead, Dartmouth instituted a simple, effective strategy to collect donor sentiment through the "Why I Give" webpage. This site not only enabled donors to share what inspires them by telling their stories, it has resulted in unexpected benefits. Learn the "how" (simple form technology through online giving, simple web design) and the "why" (moves donation from transactional to personal, gives donors an opportunity to feel seen, helps track motivations and tailor solicitations, gold mine for stories for marketing).

Track: Creativity

You will:

  • Learn a simple and highly effective tool for strengthening the connection between donor motivation and the institution they are supporting.
  • Understand why offering a vehicle for understanding donor motivation helps the donor feel more connected and seen, and as a result, inspires donor retention.

Kathryn Munro leads Dartmouth’s central donor relations team of nine, advancing the institutional approach to recognition and stewardship, to deepen the relationship between donors of all giving levels and the institution. Before arriving at Dartmouth in 2018, Kathryn spent 16 years in advancement at the University of Toronto, during two Canadian record-setting campaigns, where she served as director of principal gifts. Kathryn is passionate about personal and professional development and leads workshops for women based on Tara Mohr's "Playing Big" program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and religious studies from the University of Toronto, and a certificate in business management from their School of Continuing Studies.


Unlock your potential: Master Unstuckness (Presentation)

Eileen Bastien, Senior Director of Stewardship and Donor Engagement, Seton Hall University

Feeling stuck in your career? Don’t know what your next step should be? Unsure about where to go or how to get there? Unlock your potential! “Master Unstuckness” provides practical tips and strategies to help you as a donor relations practitioner overcome feeling stuck in your career. This highly interactive presentation delves into six strategies for mastering unstuckness. You’ll receive real-world examples and actionable steps, emphasizing mindset and dedication. By mastering unstuckness, you can achieve greater fulfillment in your work and life.

Track: Leadership

You will:

  • Identify common root causes of feeling stuck in one's career and understand the negative impact it can have on motivation and confidence.
  • Learn six practical strategies for mastering unstuckness in one's career, including seeking out mentors, setting goals, and practicing self-care.
  • Understand the importance of mindset, resilience, and dedication in achieving career success, and learn how to apply these concepts to one's own professional life.

A warm, compassionate advocate for women, Eileen Bastien emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships to build thriving communities and successful fundraising efforts. A spirited leader, she fosters unity across departments, enabling staff, alumni, and donors to flourish under her guidance. As founder of Mastering Unstuckness, Eileen has created an uplifting webinar series aimed at helping professionals and entrepreneurs overcome challenges in their careers and personal lives. Acknowledging the impact of daily demands on individuals' time and energy, she provides invaluable insights on maintaining balance between professional pursuits and personal well-being. Eileen frequently shares her knowledge on topics such as leadership, self-care, resilience, and mental fitness.


Acknowledgments Made Easy (Presentation)

Debbie Meyers, Writer/Editor, Rutgers University Foundation

Does thanking your donors seem like a thankless task? Is it painful to draft acknowledgments from your leadership? Are your letters boring and rote? Let's take the "ack" out of acknowledgments. Learn how to make your thank-yous more authentic, creative, and easy to write. In this workshop, we'll talk about making your letters donor-focused, who should sign, what formats you can use, and other acknowledgment basics. We'll also talk about a formula to use to overcome writer's block when you put virtual pen to paper.

Track: Skill Building                                        

You will:

  • Take away a basic formula for drafting acknowledgments
  • Learn tips and tricks to overcome writer's block
  • Find ways to make your acknowledgments more donor-focused

 

Having worked in advancement for more than 30 years, Debbie Meyers has honed her editorial skills by writing countless acknowledgments, talking points, proposals, gift agreements, and impact reports. She created or enhanced operations, communications, donor relations, and stewardship programs at several major universities, a Catholic high school, an art museum, and a regional health center. An ADRP founding board member, Debbie chaired the international conference in 2011 and has a consecutive streak of presenting at every international conference. She and her former drum major husband live in southwest New York with their three spoiled rescue dogs, Bo, Boo, and Marco Polo.


Breakout Sessions II

Can You Feel It? Using the Experience of Physical Spaces to Celebrate Community (Presentation)

Anne Manner-McLarty, Heurista

Placemaking is an urban planning concept that relies on a crafted experience of the physical environment to foster positive associations between the place and the community or organization with which that location is associated. Placemaking entails integrating the values and character of a community and designing architecture, landscape, signage, and experiences that are aligned with the culture of the community. Nonprofits can use placemaking to celebrate and encourage a culture of philanthropy and build understanding and affinity for their missions. Delbarton, the Morristown, New Jersey campus of St. Mary’s Abbey and the Delbarton School, will be a case study for applicating philanthropic placemaking principles.

Track: Creativity

You will:

  • Explore the concept of philanthropic placemaking as a tool for creating a strong sense of place, engaging all audiences, and fostering a strong culture of philanthropy.

Anne Manner-McLarty is lead strategist for the donor recognition firm Heurista and managing editor of the Journal of Donor Relations and Stewardship. Anne founded Heurista in 2011 to address the growing complexities of donor relations and stewardship. She and her team work with nonprofits to develop authentic, sustainable programs that help realize nonprofit missions by engaging and motivating donors. Anne has been an active ADRP member since 2005 and is a frequent conference presenter and sponsor.

 


From Newbie to Mid-level to Seasoned Veteran: Career Phases (Presentation)

Roberta O’Hara, Head of Global Development, OneSky

Rachel Griffin, Associate Director, Stewardship, UConn Foundation, Inc.

Julianne Tarrant, Donor Relations Coordinator, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation

Moderator: Debbie Meyers, Writer/Editor, Rutgers University Foundation

Your career path is guaranteed not to be a straight line. Ups and downs, curves, and twists. What’s the best advice someone could give me right now about my career trajectory? Should I stay or should I go? Stay in the field or move to something else? What can I do now to prepare for that next move? All these questions and more are fair game at this panel discussion, support group, therapy session, for donor relations practitioners at any stage of your career. Come with your questions and get some answers.

Track: Leadership

You will:

  • Gain insights into variables to consider when making a career move.
  • Learn how to work with recruiters, to network, and prepare for their next move.
  • Hear cautionary tales about staying too long or where you’re not wanted.

With more than 25 years of experience in frontline fundraising, stewardship, and donor relations, Roberta O'Hara served as associate vice president for alumni engagement, associate vice president of donor relations, and senior director of donor relations at Rutgers University Foundation. Roberta was also a senior member of the stewardship team for Princeton University. Her many volunteer roles include ADRP’s inaugural treasurer and chair of AASP’s donor relations best practices committee, and chair of ADRP’s 2015 conference and 2019 Gather@ conference. For her service, she received the Founders Award in 2019.  Roberta has spoken for CASE, ADRP, AASP, Academic Impressions, and is published in the US and UK.

 

Pennsylvania-born, Massachusetts-educated, and Connecticut resident for the past ten years, Rachel Griffin brings her experience in annual giving, arts nonprofits, and public policy to her role at the UConn Foundation coordinating scholarship stewardship and acknowledgments. She strives to amplify student voices and encourage her colleagues, infusing the work with a donor-centric mentality and viewing it all through an equitable and inclusive lens. These days, Rachel is most often found dancing with her two young daughters and husband to the Bluey or Encanto soundtracks.

 

 

Julianne Tarrant started her development career as an undergraduate student at Rowan University working with the Office of University Advancement. She continued to work in the nonprofit space immediately after graduating. In 2022, Julianne joined Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation where she began her career in donor relations. She has found great joy in working on various stewardship initiatives for donors to the organization. Julianne has a bachelor’s degree in history from Rowan University and is pursuing her master’s in business administration from the University of Arizona Global Campus. 

 


Establish and Leverage Metrics for Growth – Yours and Your Organization’s 

(Presentation)

Kelly Brennan, Senior Director, Philanthropic Perspectives and Solutions

If you want to learn to establish and leverage metrics for yourself or your organization, this interactive session is for you. Understand the best practices of what, when, and how to leverage or present metrics for your career development or your organization. Participants will choose one of several action teams and strategize the best approaches for case study scenarios. Action teams will offer their solutions to the group. Participants are encouraged to submit real-life scenarios for consideration to [email protected] before the conference.

Track: Skill building

You will:

  • Understand why metrics are essential not only for an organization but to leverage as a career development resource and tool.
  • Learn to recognize the difference between raw counts and strategic and foundational metrics that executives require for decision-making.
  • Examine vital elements of what, when, and how to leverage metrics to leaders.

Kelly Brennan is an energetic, compassionate, and strategic professional who has been working, teaching, and speaking on philanthropy and leadership topics for more than 20 years. Her expertise is rooted in relationship management and creating donor-centric organizations. Kelly brings a broad perspective, working at organizations of all sizes and tenures across the industry. A longtime volunteer with ADRP, she has presented at regional and international conferences.

 

 


Breakout Sessions III

UNSESSION: Donor Relations—Past, Present, and Future (Presentation)

Cheryl Smith Lintner, Executive Director of Donor Relations, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation

Kelly Brennan, Senior Director, Philanthropic Perspectives and Solutions

We want to hear from you! Join us for an all-industry, audience-driven Unsession. Participants will vote on discussion topics representing the past, present, and future of donor relations. Speakers will introduce each topic and participants can ask questions directly or submit them in writing. This is your chance to hear from your peers and colleagues, to learn how they face donor relations challenges, leverage technology, and function in our post-pandemic world. Come with your thoughts and questions, and we’ll conquer them together.

Track: Creativity

You will discuss:

  • What DR activities have we left to the past and why?
  • What are the most important DR activities today? How do we make them effective practices?
  • What might the future of DR look like, and how do we prepare for it?

Cheryl Lintner started her development career in 2008 in a small non-profit based within a healthcare institution. In 2010, she moved to donor relations in higher education at Rutgers University, then in 2013, returned to healthcare to develop the first comprehensive donor relations program for three hospital foundations within the RWJ Barnabas Health system. Cheryl currently leads the donor relations team responsible for 17 hospitals and network entities under the Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, where she has worked to grow a donor relations program that includes multiple, recurring touches for all donors and an emphasis on major donor stewardship. Prior to entering the non-profit sector, Cheryl worked in the legal field and in academia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and History from the University of Delaware and a doctorate in Anthropology/Archaeology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Kelly Brennan is an energetic, compassionate, and strategic professional who has been working, teaching, and speaking on philanthropy and leadership topics for more than 20 years. Her expertise is rooted in relationship management and creating donor-centric organizations. Kelly brings a broad perspective, working at organizations of all sizes and tenures across the industry. A longtime volunteer with ADRP, she has presented at regional and international conferences.

 

 


Lighten Your Load: Working with Consultants and Freelancers

Anne Schmitz, Senior Director of Donor Relations, Stony Brook University

As our digital and virtual worlds mesh with our time-honored tools and traditions, we're reinventing how our acknowledgments, events, and recognition, not to mention adapting to where and how we work. And naturally, we’re expected to do more and better, with no additional staff. To keep your workload manageable and productivity on track, you might want to consider outsourcing tasks with freelancers and getting fresh ideas for efficiency from consultants. This session will show you how to choose what to delegate, what it takes to set things up, and what you can reasonably expect for deliverables and finished products.

Track: Leadership

You will:

  • Take a holistic look at their overall workload and identify areas that need refreshing and areas that can be outsourced.
  • Consider the advantages of freelancers vs. permanent or part-time employees.
  • Learn the mechanics of working with freelancers and consultants, from the RFP process to setting up routines and reporting structures.

Anne Schmitz leads Stony Brook’s centralized donor team, recently formed to unite alumni relations, advancement events, annual giving, and donor experience teams within advancement. With nearly 20 years in development, Anne brings expertise in fundraising and engagement strategies, taking a systematic approach to long-term planning and program management. Anne believes every interaction with a constituent should be meaningful and memorable, and is passionate about creating authentic relationships with donors to strengthen their affinity, commitment, and loyalty. She has held positions at the LSU Foundation, DePaul University, and After School Matters, and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in public service management from DePaul University.


Streamlining Stewardship Reporting

Cheryl McCloskey, Associate Director of Donor Relations

Meghan Murphy, Graduate Assistant, Donor Relations, Seton Hall University

Donor relations teams are stretched thin. We’re expected to do more, with less – smaller budgets and fewer staff, but more and better output. See how our six-person team leveraged existing technology that everyone can access to increase our donor stewardship reporting output by 200% at little-to-no additional cost, freeing up space for more creative project development and innovative stewardship projects. We will demonstrate how to use mail merge to create student scholarship profiles, how to use AI to be a foundation for your written communications, and how this is all done in a budget-conscious way.

Track: Skill building

You will:

  • Learn how to use mail merge in existing documents to produce and edit stewardship reports more efficiently.
  • Overcome the intimidation factor of AI programs and other advanced technology as a writing tool in your tool belt.
  • See examples of our stewardship reporting including endowment financial reports, scholarship profiles, receipts by campaign, and donor-centric videos.

Having proudly worked at Seton Hall University for 16 years, Cheryl McCloskey held roles in housing and human resources before joining donor relations in 2019. She also worked in professional sports. Cheryl brings her passion for leveraging technology and knowledge of all things Excel and mail merge to streamline stewardship practices to make room for more creative projects. She has a master's in strategic communication from Seton Hall University and a master's in secondary education from Sacred Heart University. Living with her, her husband Ryan, and daughter Skyler in Basking Ridge, NJ is her Glen of Imaal Terrier, Lucky McLovin'.

 

Meghan Murphy will graduate from Seton Hall University this August with a master's in public administration with a concentration in non-profit management. She has served as a donor relations graduate assistant this past year where she focused primarily on scholarship stewardship and streamlining stewardship reporting practices. She also assisted with donor events and creative projects. Prior to this role, she interned in Seton Hall University’s corporations and foundations office where she researched and wrote for grants. In her free time, Meghan enjoys sailing, baking muffins, and spending time on Lake Hopatcong.


 

Plenary Session

The Best Thing I Learned – A Plenary Session

What were your key takeaways from today? What did you learn? What gems are you taking back to the office and implementing immediately? In this interactive session, speakers will give a quick rundown of highlights from their presentations. Attendees will then have the opportunity to share the best things they learned and ask any lingering questions. A perfect way to wrap up the conference!

 

Tenth Annual NYC Regional Conference - Presentations

Thank you for attending the Tenth Annual NYC Regional Conference. Below, you will find downloadable session presentations. 

Session Title Presentation Resources
Keynote The Key to Increased Giving, Enhanced Reputation, and Job Satisfaction
Karen E. Osborne
Download

Handouts

1A Building Trust – In-Depth Breakout Session
Karen E. Osborne
Download
1B Future Proofing Your Fund Terms
David Hough
Download
1C Community Centric Fundraising
Rachael D'Souza-Siebert
Download
2A The Unsession
Presented by the ADRP NYC Content Hosts: Linda Colquhoun and Cheryl Lintner
Download
2B Donor Love, For Life: A Look at Planned Giving Stewardship
Susanne Bellanger and Sierra Rosen
Download
2C Let's Get Real About Donor Relations
Kathleen Diemer, CFRE
Download
3A DEI: Best Practices in Donor Engagement Events
Symone New, Leticia John, and Alexandra Natale
Download
3B Taking the Leap Into Your Next Venture
Meghan Goff and Nayeli Garcia Mowbray
Download
3C A Minute to Win It in the Big Apple
Presented by the ADRP NYC Content Committee Host: Jillian Perrin
Download
 

2022 Midwest Regional Conference - Presentations

Thank you for attending the 2022 Midwest Regional Conference. Below, you will find downloadable session presentations. 

View Digital Program Book
Session Title Presentation Resources
Keynote Embracing Tomorrow: Be Ready for the Changing Donor Environment
Liz Livingston Howard
Download
Breakout Session Permanent Pivot? Exploring the Role of Virtual Events in Stewardship Portfolios
Scott Tews
Download
Breakout Session Metrics: Tools For Measuring Success in Donor Relations
Meghan Davison and Elizabeth Hormann
Download
Panel Discussion Engaging the Next Generation of Philanthropists
Ananda Lawson; Gabby Martinez; Rebekah Nowak; and Moderated by Mary Weingartner
Download
Workshop Session Back to the Future? Digital vs. Print at Lurie Children's
Alexa Cottrell
Download
Workshop Session Building Your Professional Development Plan in the New and Ever-Changing Labor Market
Rashid Abdullah
Download
 
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