Noёl Schiber, CFRE
Major Gifts Officer
Saint Louis Science Center

Gian Booker
Executive Director, Stewardship, Donor Relations, Communications, and Marketing
University of Maryland Medicine

Donor relations has outgrown its original job description. The field no longer exists merely to close reporting loops or execute gratitude on demand. At its best, donor relations already shapes how development teams build trust, sustain belief in the mission, and secure long-term philanthropic investment.

Yet most organizations still deploy donor relations as a downstream production function.

This gap—between what donor relations could do and how it is actually used—is now the limiting factor in modern philanthropy.

If donor relations professionals are to be strategic partners, we must stop optimizing execution and start designing systems. Systems that scale personalization. Systems that inform fundraising strategy. Systems that connect data, narrative, and donor intent into a coherent experience over time.

Celebrating Service: Volunteer and Member Experience Committee

Volunteers are the heart of ADRP. Every milestone we celebrate—from creating the Fundamentals of Donor Relations course to hosting our first international conference outside the U.S. in 2025—is made possible by members who step forward to lead, collaborate, and serve. Simply put, ADRP thrives because of its volunteers.

Empowering Volunteers at Every Step

The Volunteer and Member Experience Committee (VMEC) plays a central role in ensuring volunteers feel welcomed, supported, and valued throughout their ADRP journey. Our purpose is to enhance the volunteer experience by strengthening the volunteer pipeline and continually evaluating how members engage with and contribute to ADRP. We welcome new volunteers year-round and are committed to creating meaningful, well-supported involvement opportunities.

Marian Johnson
2025-2026 President

Starting with Intention…

I’m not really one for resolutions. I try to embrace opportunities to change and grow throughout the year. That said, heading into this year, I’ve been reflecting on intentions and specifically what it means to lead with intention. The donor relations profession asks us to slow down, listen closely, and act deliberately. Leading with intention isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most, with clarity and purpose. 

For ADRP, 2026 is a year of focus. We’re building on momentum, aligning our efforts, and sharpening our impact as we implement our new strategic plan. It’s a time to pause, take stock, and choose where to direct our energy next, individually and collectively. 

Most donor relations professionals don’t need more content. We need a clear perspective — without spending hours searching for it. The Hub delivers that monthly. In five minutes, members get distilled insight from peers across industries and career stages: practical approaches, emerging trends, and lessons learned through experience. It’s designed to meet members where you are, right when the work is happening. Most importantly, it’s content for you, by you.

In 2026, each issue will include:

President’s Message: Leadership inspiration.

Voices of Experience: Proven practices and honest lessons

As we reflect on this year’s accomplishments, ADRP extends heartfelt thanks to the professionals who shared their wisdom through the Voices of Experience column. Your insights, stories, and best practices have enriched our community and advanced the donor relations profession. By lending your voice, you’ve created a platform that inspires learning and fosters collaboration across our field. We are grateful for your generosity and commitment to elevating the work we do every day. 

• “I wish someone had told me this sooner.”
• “Others are probably dealing with this, too.”

• “There is a tried and tested option.”
• “That’s a smarter way to handle this.”

Take the Survey

Marian Johnson
2025-2026 President

Some special recognition in this season of thanks…

Continuing with the theme of gratitude as the U.S. Thanksgiving approaches, I extend special appreciation for a member of the ADRP family whose generosity and leadership embody the very best of our community. 

At the conference in Montréal, we announced the 2025 recipient of ADRP’s Volunteer Service Award. The annual award recognizes a current member who, through both current and cumulative efforts, has generously contributed time and energy to advance our Association’s mission and the donor relations profession. This year, I had the great privilege of recognizing someone whose steady, thoughtful leadership has quietly shaped some of ADRP’s most meaningful work in recent years: Holden Scheidel. 

Whether helping to guide our strategic direction or leading the team that turned a shared vision into our Fundamentals of Donor Relations course, Holden’s presence has made ADRP better. What stands out most is not just what Holden has done, but how he does it – with humility, clarity, and deep care for our members, our profession, and ADRP’s future.  

Elizabeth Gray
Philanthropy and Campaign Officer, Tri Sigma Foundation 

My recent ADRP webinar titled Exploring the Power Dynamics Between Donors and Scholarship Recipients emerged from a critical question we rarely ask in donor relations: What do scholarship recipients actually experience when we facilitate donor connections? Fellow donor relations professionals learned of research that directly supports ADRP's mission by challenging us to expand our definition of relationship management beyond the donor-organization dynamic to include the often-overlooked voices of recipients themselves.

Through interviews with 10 University of West Florida scholarship recipients, I discovered something both reassuring and actionable: students don't feel tokenized by donor interactions — they actively want these connections and see them as mutually beneficial. 

The key takeaway? When we apply Relationship Management Theory to the donor-recipient relationship with the same intentionality as we do to donor stewardship, we create authentic engagement that benefits everyone involved. Attendees gained practical strategies for reimagining traditional scholarship events, implementing recipient biography forms, and building communication frameworks that meet students where they are rather than putting them in uncomfortable formal settings.

What made this session unique was centering student voices in a field that typically prioritizes donor preferences. By sharing direct quotes and demographic diversity from my research participants, I offered concrete evidence that our recipients are sophisticated stakeholders who deserve thoughtful relationship design.

Gian Booker
Executive Director, Stewardship, Donor Relations, Communications, and Marketing, University of Maryland Medicine (UM School of Medicine and UM Medical Center) 

Background Info

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

I stumbled into fundraising as a college intern after interviewing for a position in HR; the development lead convinced me to join their team. Years later, I chose to build a donor relations program from scratch over an annual giving role, seeing its power as a strategic driver. Since then, I’ve led major gift stewardship, managed compliance, built scalable frameworks, and made donor relations indispensable. 

2. What influenced your interest in and passion for donor relations? 

Ruvimbo Chipazi
Donor Relations Officer, Dalhousie University

Marian Johnson
2025-2026 President

A toast of thanks …

Earlier this month, we celebrated Thanksgiving here in Canada, and I spent it with three generations of family – some born into it and others found over the years – but all intentionally connected. It was a weekend filled with fun, food, and laughter, and moments of gratitude for the people who show up, the stories that connect us, and the traditions we build together. 

It reminded me that family often extends far beyond our homes. Sometimes, it’s the people we choose to gather with – the communities we intentionally create – that shape and sustain us most. In many ways, that’s what ADRP feels like to me. We come together from across the sector and across geographies, with different experiences, cultures, and roles, but united by shared purpose and passion. 

Since the conference, I’ve loved seeing members celebrate connections new and old, shout out to those who inspire us (and those we wish to grow up to be), and share sparks of inspiration and ideas already in action – with ADRP at the heart of so many of those stories. 

Carlos Mora
Marketing Manager, FundMiner

Background Info:

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

My journey into donor relations started as a student, when I saw firsthand how a scholarship can change a life. That experience stayed with me, and now at FundMiner, a company dedicated to simplifying fund management and supporting donor intent, I use my skills in marketing, storytelling, and design to create materials that help donor relations professionals steward donors better.

2. What influenced your interest in and passion for donor relations? 

As a first-generation student, I know how important donations and scholarships can be. I like the idea of showing donors the real impact they make, it’s not just about saying thank you, but helping them see the lives they’re changing. That builds trust and inspires them to keep giving. I believe sharing those stories and outcomes is one of the most powerful parts of donor relations.

Marian Johnson
2025-2026 President

Guycaelle Vaval

Background Info

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

Connection to ADRP 

Marian Johnson
2025-2026 President

Hello ADRP friends!

The countdown is on! In just a few weeks, we’ll be together in Montréal for ADRP’s 2025 International Conference. As your president and a proud Canadian, I could not be more excited to welcome you to this incredible city for three days of learning, sharing, and making connections that last well beyond the conference.

This special edition of The Hub is your sneak peek at what’s in store. From innovative sessions and inspiring keynotes to new voices and seasoned leaders, our program is packed with ideas you can take home and put into action. And just as important, you’ll have the chance to spend time with colleagues who understand and share your passion for donor relations.

Whether you’re joining us for the very first time or returning for another amazing year, Montréal is ready for you. I can’t wait to see you there!

Cheers,

Marian

The Hub Conference Takeover: Conference Volunteers

As we prepare to gather in Montréal for ADRP’s International Conference, we invite you to begin your journey with a special message from the dedicated volunteer leaders who have shaped this year’s conference. 

P.S. Do you have questions about this year’s conference? Submit them online and we’ll share our answers in the Know Before You Go section of the conference website.

Conference Crossword: Get to Know Your Conference Committee & Montréal

Here’s a fun activity to fill your time while flying to Montréal or taking a self-care break. Print our custom crossword puzzle to learn about your conference committee and some fun Montréal facts. For a list of the core conference committee volunteers please visit the conference website. 

Montréal Moments

If you’re not already planning to explore Montréal beyond the conference, we urge you to reconsider! This city is bursting with charm, culture, and adventure. From its world-class art and lively festivals to hidden green spaces and a mouth-watering food scene, Montréal has something for everyone. Check out the printable guide to help plan your trip! 

Download the Guide

Attendee Experience Highlights

Nobody does experience planning like a donor relations professional. This year’s international conference is no exception. Get ready!

Voices of Experience: The Volunteers Who Shaped ADRP’s Fundamentals of Donor Relations

Holden Scheidel
Ex Officio, ADRP Board of Directors
Co-Chair, ADRP Education Committee