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Regional Events
Regional EventsADRP'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 EventSee below for our most recent Regional Events
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Learning Objectives: (1) Attendees will learn about the strategic use of recognition societies to identify key giving patterns and donor audiences to maximize engagement and cultivate future support. (2) Attendees will understand the role of recognition societies in stewarding a broad donor base, particularly unmanaged donors, maximizing the impact of donor relations efforts. (3) Attendees will learn how one organization successfully navigated the challenges of relaunching its recognition program, gaining insights into problem-solving and strategic decision-making in this context.
Amber Alexander is a higher education advancement professional with nearly two decades of experience, primarily in donor relations. She has a proven track record of driving impactful change and building high-performing teams at both Arizona State University and currently at Lehigh University, where she serves as Senior Director of Donor Relations. Amber is a champion for continuous improvement, exploring emerging technologies, and refining all aspects of the donor experience. A first-generation college student, she is passionate about the transformative power of higher education and enjoys mentoring and teaching. Debbie Meyers has worked in advancement for more than 40 years, much of that time in higher education. She has created or enhanced operations, communications, donor relations and stewardship programs at Chautauqua Institution, the University of Maryland, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Florida. She also built communications and development programs for a Catholic high school, an art museum, and a health center development office. She works part-time for Rutgers University Foundation, writing feature stories on alumni and donors, and proofreading and editing to her heart’s delight. A donor relations consultant and freelancer, she is also chief inspiration officer at EDiT!, providing editorial direction, inspiration, and training to advancement professionals. A founding board member of the Association of Donor Relations Professionals, Debbie has a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in journalism. She lives in southwest New York with her high school drum major husband, with whom she shares four grown children and three goofy dogs. With 15 years of experience in higher education, Casey Sharkey began her career in student affairs, focusing on campus programming and residence life. After transitioning into development and discovering the field of donor relations, she knew she had found her niche in a career rooted in gratitude. Over the past decade, Casey has worked in the annual fund for two years before focusing fully on donor relations. She now serves as the Director of Donor Relations and Principal Gift Stewardship. Casey is a passionate snail mail enthusiast who finds her greatest joy in being a mom. Maximizing Impact: Reinventing Your Donor Relations ProgramAmber Alexander | Senior Director, Donor Relations, Lehigh University
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Jennifer Richwine, Executive Director, Wake Washington Center 
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 
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.
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.
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.
Katie Layton
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Natalie
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. 
Jessica Grimmett 
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.
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.
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Target Audience Suitable for All Audiences |
Target Expertise Suitable for All Levels |
Target Shop Size Suitable for Any Size Shop |
Session Track Leadership and Personal Growth |
Learning Objectives:
(1) Attendees will learn about a range of stewardship strategies tailored to different giving levels, demonstrating an understanding of donor motivations and preferences.
(2) Attendees will learn about integrating stewardship planning with team structure and efficiency.
(3) Attendees will learn how one organization is reinventing its program, gaining insights into leadership development for a changing environment.
Amber Alexander is a higher education advancement professional with nearly two decades of experience, primarily in donor relations. She has a proven track record of driving impactful change and building high-performing teams at both Arizona State University and currently at Lehigh University, where she serves as Senior Director of Donor Relations. Amber is a champion for continuous improvement, exploring emerging technologies, and refining all aspects of the donor experience. A first-generation college student, she is passionate about the transformative power of higher education and enjoys mentoring and teaching.
From coordinating complex corporate meetings to ensuring the impactful use of philanthropic gifts, Rachel Frisch's career has taken some fascinating turns. She's navigated multiple professional reinventions, moving from a Fortune 500 company to the world of higher education development, where she directed events at two different institutions. For the last ten years, she's been at Lehigh University, progressively moving from development events to principal gift stewardship, and has now entered the gift administration and compliance space. Her diverse experience gives her a unique perspective on navigating career transitions and finding fulfillment in unexpected places.
Beyond the Gift: Mastering Agreements & Donor Intent
Matthew Cotty, CFRE | Senior Associate Director, Fund Management, Northeastern University
A well-crafted gift agreement ensures that donor intent is honored while allowing institutions to adapt over time. This session explores key principles of drafting effective agreements, UPMIFA considerations, and best practices for stewarding restricted funds. Drawing from Northeastern University’s transformation, we’ll highlight how evolving fund terms protect institutions from legal risks while ensuring donor impact. Participants will explore critical fund language nuances that foster donor trust and sustainability. Through case studies and interactive discussions, attendees will gain practical strategies for working with fundraisers, donors, and stakeholders. The session concludes with an open forum for questions, story sharing, and collaborative problem-solving.
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Target Audience Suitable for All Audiences |
Target Expertise Suitable for All Levels |
Target Shop Size Suitable for Any Size Shop |
Session Track Skill Building |
Learning Objectives:
(1) Drafting Strong and Adaptable Gift Agreements - Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the essential components of a well-structured gift agreement, balancing donor intent, fund terms, and institutional priorities. By recognizing the role of UPMIFA and exploring key language nuances, participants will leave with practical strategies to craft agreements that ensure long-term sustainability while safeguarding donor expectations.
(2) Navigating Legal and Financial Implications of Fund Terms - Participants will learn how evolving fund terms can protect their institution from legal and financial risks. Through real-world examples, they will explore the impact of terminology - such as distinctions between tuition and cost of attendance - on fund compliance and sustainability. These insights will help professionals mitigate risks and maintain the integrity of restricted funds.
(3) Addressing Common Challenges in Donor Stewardship - Attendees will engage in a discussion on navigating complex stewardship challenges, including balancing donor expectations with legal constraints such as FERPA regulations and institutional policies. Participants will explore real-world scenarios and learn strategies for managing sensitive donor requests while ensuring compliance and ethical fund oversight.
Matt Cotty brings over a decade of nonprofit expertise, specializing in diversity fundraising, corporate and foundation relations, fund management, data analytics, and nonprofit leadership. He currently serves as Senior Associate Director of Fund Management at Northeastern University, where he oversees fund compliance, reporting, and gift agreement development. Previously, he led development at Revolutionary Spaces, navigating a merger and pandemic-era challenges. His consulting work with CCS Fundraising helped organizations craft strategic campaigns and maximize impact. Earlier, Matt revitalized giving models at Reaching Out MBA, strengthening individual and corporate philanthropy, and enhanced alumni engagement at Babson College. A SUNY Potsdam Trustee and President-Elect of its Alumni Association, Matt leads regional alumni engagement efforts. A CFRE and former AFP Massachusetts IDEA Fellow, he holds a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from Northeastern University and a BA in Psychology from SUNY Potsdam.
Reimagining Donor Engagement: Data-driven Program Development
Gavin Green | Assistant Director of Stewardship, Dartmouth Health, Geisel School of Medicine
Beth Wood | Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship, Dartmouth Health, Geisel School of Medicine
Download Presentation | Download Handout
Imagine building a donor engagement program from scratch to retain more donors and grow their giving. We did it! The Stewardship team for Medical & Healthcare Advancement at Dartmouth Health and the Geisel School of Medicine employed an evidence-based, data-informed approach to launch our inaugural comprehensive Stewardship Engagement and Communication program aimed at retaining donors and increasing giving. The methodology focused on understanding donor behavior, using past giving data to inform future strategy, and identifying high-potential donor behavior groups. Through data modeling, we analyzed giving patterns, entrance points, and donor motivations, which helped us create targeted Donor Behavior profiles. This analysis guided our strategic resource investments. With leadership buy-in and tailored programs for first-time, tribute, and mid-level donors, we were able to offer multiple engagement pathways for our complex blended donor base. Our first-time donor program has already improved donor retention, with tribute donor initiatives launched in 2024 and a Loyal Donor protocol in development for 2025.
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Target Audience Private College/University |
Target Expertise Suitable for All Levels |
Target Shop Size Suitable for Any Size Shop |
Session Track Innovation and Creativity |
Learning Objectives:
(1) Data-Driven Engagement Strategies: Attendees will learn how to plan to analyze donor behavior through data modeling. By understanding giving patterns, participants can tailor outreach and engagement strategies, leading to improved donor retention and increased giving.
(2) Donor Behavior Audience Identification: We will cover how to identify and organize Donor Behavior audiences for stewardship success. Behavior audiences will help to prioritize donor segments, enabling you to develop strategic programs that resonate with specific groups and maximize return on investment.
(3) Sustainable and Inclusive Donor Protocol Development: We will share our success in developing thoughtful, strategically aligned, sustainable and inclusive donor engagement plans and protocols to alleviate annual 'refresh' workloads and to deliver key messaging to your donors where they are.
Gavin Green is the Assistant Director of Stewardship at the Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine and Dartmouth Health, and he has a passion for donor relations and stewardship which started all the way back during his undergraduate studies at Susquehanna University. Having experienced small shops, medium shops, and large state school shops, Gavin demonstrates his deep understanding of donor relations best practices and trends while managing the multi-branded and complex nature of working between a regionally renowned academic medical center and an internationally recognized Ivy League university. From non-profit universities to private healthcare, Gavin is helping to redefine modern donor relations and create sustainable and inclusive donor engagement and communication programs.
Beth Wood serves as the Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship at Dartmouth Health and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Her passion for this work began in childhood, inspired by her grandfather, who emphasized the importance of expressing gratitude through written thank-you notes. Over the years, Beth has evolved her passions into an evidence-driven practice that instills gratitude, fosters trust, and demonstrates impact across diverse audiences. Beth strategically oversees stewardship, donor relations including major and principal gift cultivation. She is committed to investing in the teams she leads, championing employee engagement initiatives and manager training to empower individuals to reach their full potential. Before her current role, Beth held development positions at St. Paul’s School, the University of New Hampshire, and the University of San Francisco (USF). She earned a Master of Nonprofit Administration from USF and a Bachelor’s degree in geography, political science, and environmental studies from Augustana College.
Reignite Your Donor Pipeline with a Shared Engagement Strategy
Corinne Green Endres | Director of Strategic Engagement and Communications, Rochester Institute of Technology
Megan Cheever | Senior Director of Strategic Engagement, Rochester Institute of Technology
Over the past two years, members of Rochester Institute of Technology's advancement team launched a highly innovative approach to building a comprehensive engagement plan with the ultimate goal of matching strategy across teams. This divisional approach to understanding and prioritizing both individual and university fundraising priorities transformed a simple fiscal year calendar into a robust plan of dynamic and creative engagement strategies that extend beyond traditional events. Learn how the realignment to shared goals and purposeful activity can propel your entire team through a year's worth of high-value engagement opportunities that strengthen the donor pipeline and unite your organization within a shared strategy.
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Target Audience Suitable for All Audiences |
Target Expertise Suitable for All Levels |
Target Shop Size Suitable for Any Size Shop |
Session Track Innovation and Creativity |
Learning Objectives:
(1) Participants will be able to conceptualize how an advancement team can collaboratively build an engagement plan driven by a strong shared donor pipeline strategy.
(2) Participants will be exposed to strategies that encourage a culture of inclusivity and transparency within engagement planning, including the realignment of shared goals to support organizational change.
(3) Participants will be prepared with the tools to highlight effective prioritization of activities to enhance the donor experience within the divisional engagement plan.
Corinne Green Endres is the Director of Strategic Engagement and Communications at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). A passionate engagement strategist and continuing student of the profession, her approach to her work is rooted firmly in building vertical models of meaningful engagement, utilizing increasingly creative and personalized communications, investing in strong partnerships, and advocating for the critical role of data in developing transformational strategies. Corinne has volunteered with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for the past five years, most recently serving as a member of the CASE District II Cabinet and co-chairing the 2024 District II Annual Conference in Baltimore, MD. She is the 2023 recipient of the CASE District II Rising Star Award. She earned her BA in English Literature from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2014.
As Senior Director of Strategic Engagement at RIT, Megan Cheever plays a pivotal role in providing leadership and strategic guidance in alumni engagement strategy. With two decades of experience in higher education, Megan has dedicated her career to reimagining alumni engagement by building distinct and evolving strategies to maintain lifelong connections between alumni and their alma mater. Her expertise extends across key areas, including campaign programming, alumni board management, and the formulation of comprehensive engagement strategies for regional chapters, colleges, parents, volunteers, and annual giving. Her tenure at RIT reflects a dedication to fostering creative and meaningful connections between alumni and the institution, enriching the overall experience for graduates and contributing to the continued success of the university. Previously, Megan held key roles at RIT, SUNY Geneseo and Columbia University. She is also a proud graduate of SUNY Geneseo.
Special Thanks: Transforming the Acknowledgement Process
Danyte Reisinger Tampellini | Donor Relations Associate, Stony Brook University
Debbie Meyers | Writer/Editor, Rutgers University Foundation | Chief Inspiration Officer, EDiT
As Donor Relations professionals, we strive to make our acknowledgements timely, meaningful, and authentic. Ideally, gift officers are an integral part of the process and offer their input to make letters personal and effective. However, other priorities, limited staffing and logistics can get in the way. Over the past year, our team at Stony Brook University has transformed our ACK letters process using effective project management tools, sending over 1400 personalized letters to donors within 1-2 weeks of making their gift with only two dedicated staff positions. By leveraging technology and partnering effectively with gift officers and advancement leadership, you also can transform your acknowledgement letter process.
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Target Audience Public College/University |
Target Expertise Suitable for All Levels |
Target Shop Size Suitable for Any Size Shop |
Session Track Innovation and Creativity; |
Learning Objectives:
(1) Streamline their acknowledgement process and obtain input from their advancement colleagues.
(2) Generate both templated and highly personalized letters that intentionally move donors through the stewardship cycle.
(3)Track metrics and progress on a weekly basis.
Danyte Reisinger Tampellini is a Donor Relations Associate at Stony Brook University. Danyte has a strong background in nonprofit operations, programming and fundraising. In her current role, she manages SBU's acknowledgement process, Legacy Way program and student organization crowdfunding initiative. Danyte holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stony Brook University and a Master of Public Administration from NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
Debbie Meyers has worked in advancement for more than 40 years, much of that time in higher education. She has created or enhanced operations, communications, donor relations and stewardship programs at Chautauqua Institution, the University of Maryland, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Florida. She also built communications and development programs for a Catholic high school, an art museum, and a health center development office. She works part-time for Rutgers University Foundation, writing feature stories on alumni and donors, and proofreading and editing to her heart’s delight. A donor relations consultant and freelancer, she is also chief inspiration officer at EDiT!, providing editorial direction, inspiration and training to advancement professionals. A founding board member of the Association of Donor Relations Professionals, Debbie has a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in journalism. She lives in southwest New York with her high school drum major husband, with whom she shares four grown children and three goofy dogs.
2023 ADRP NEMA Regional Session DetailsView The Full ProgramKeynote: 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 SessionsBreakout Sessions IEvery Donor has a Story (Presentation)Kathryn Munro, Executive Director, Recognition and Stewardship, Dartmouth CollegeA 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:
Unlock your potential: Master Unstuckness (Presentation)Eileen Bastien, Senior Director of Stewardship and Donor Engagement, Seton Hall UniversityFeeling 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:
Acknowledgments Made Easy (Presentation)Debbie Meyers, Writer/Editor, Rutgers University FoundationDoes 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:
Breakout Sessions IICan You Feel It? Using the Experience of Physical Spaces to Celebrate Community (Presentation)Anne Manner-McLarty, HeuristaPlacemaking 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:
From Newbie to Mid-level to Seasoned Veteran: Career Phases (Presentation)Roberta O’Hara, Head of Global Development, OneSkyRachel Griffin, Associate Director, Stewardship, UConn Foundation, Inc.Julianne Tarrant, Donor Relations Coordinator, Hackensack Meridian Health FoundationModerator: Debbie Meyers, Writer/Editor, Rutgers University FoundationYour 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:
Establish and Leverage Metrics for Growth – Yours and Your Organization’s(Presentation)Kelly Brennan, Senior Director, Philanthropic Perspectives and SolutionsIf 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:
Breakout Sessions IIIUNSESSION: Donor Relations—Past, Present, and Future (Presentation)Cheryl Smith Lintner, Executive Director of Donor Relations, Hackensack Meridian Health FoundationKelly Brennan, Senior Director, Philanthropic Perspectives and SolutionsWe 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:
Lighten Your Load: Working with Consultants and FreelancersAnne Schmitz, Senior Director of Donor Relations, Stony Brook UniversityAs 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:
Streamlining Stewardship ReportingCheryl McCloskey, Associate Director of Donor RelationsMeghan Murphy, Graduate Assistant, Donor Relations, Seton Hall UniversityDonor 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:
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 SessionThe Best Thing I Learned – A Plenary SessionWhat 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! |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 
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.
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.
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.
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'.
Tenth Annual NYC Regional Conference - Presentations
Thank you for attending the Tenth Annual NYC Regional Conference. Below, you will find downloadable session presentations.
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