Barbara C. MlawerNYU Langone Health
Director, Stewardship
Can you tell us about your career trajectory? How did you come into donor relations as a career?
I began a career in healthcare development communications over 15 years ago, cutting my teeth at two incredible medical institutions: the first one as the director of development communications at Northwell Health and now as the director of stewardship at NYU Langone Health.
Stewardship, as a distinct unit within the development and alumni Affairs department at NYU Langone was, believe it or not, somewhat new so while I ‘sit’ on the stewardship team, I really feel that my work more closely reflects donor relations work.
As a donor relations professional, using my visual arts background, I get to partner with our fundraisers to develop communication pieces that capture the impact donors have when they make a gift. It’s both creatively fulfilling as well as strategically specific to our mission and donor interests.
What influenced your interest in and passion for donor relations?
I fell into this role as the communications partner to the gift officer who manages one of our programs. The program aided medically underserved women to access breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. As the communications lead, I got to know the doctors, the patients, and hear their stories. I felt the obligation to steward those stories accurately and realized the important role donor relations plays. Donor relations professionals have the unique ability of sharing stories and crystalizing the impact that support can make in saving people’s lives.
What lessons, words of advice/inspiration would you like to pass on to other donor relations professionals?
Follow your passion. Find the cause that means something to you, that makes you feel like you can make a difference and go for it. Meet the people to learn their stories. Understand the goals of your organization to drive the mission forward, marrying the stories and impact. If you find purpose in your work, this bleeds into your life. Who else gets to use their work to make a difference? As donor relations professionals, we get to make a difference. What a gift.
Can you talk about a specific donor engagement or stewardship activity that makes you feel like you are providing the best experience for donors?
I had the pleasure of capturing the inspiring stories of the women in our cancer program. I got to interview, film, and photograph them, culminating in a wonderful video and donor report. These assets have been used and re-used, garnering new support for the program.
Connection to ADRP:
When did you become an ADRP member?
I became an ADRP member in 2021.
Why is ADRP membership important to you?
This community is so amazing and supportive. Ask a question and before you know it, you’ll receive countless responses across the spectrum. And conversely, I have been more than happy to respond whenever I have something to contribute. I always find a nugget of information I can use and/or share with my colleagues.
ADRP is universally recognized as the authority on donor engagement for the philanthropy profession. In your own words, how does ADRP serve you in the form of professional development?
The webinars, the conferences, the email digests, the website, all serve as a fountain of information. ADRP lives up to its tagline: Collaborate. Connect. Learn.
I am truly grateful to be part of this community.
