Member Login

7C | Career Climbing with Donor Relations: Shaping the Evolving Landscape

Thursday, Oct 1
2:40 - 3:40 PM

Experience Level
Suitable for all levels

Shop Size
Suitable for any size shop

This session will showcase some of the exciting ways in which donor relations and stewardship are being integrated into nonprofit fundraising. We will present data we've collected from a benchmarking survey of many top national nonprofits, that examines the specific role stewardship is playing in strategic fundraising. Our results will demonstrate the many opportunities that exist to build donor relations programs from the ground up, and the value of personalized stewardship activities to your organizational revenue. Attendees will gain insight into where the profession may be heading and validation of a promising career trajectory.

 

Tracy Mlakar

For 15 years, Tracy Mlakar has worked with national nonprofits to shape their donor communications strategies and donor stewardship plans. She is currently the national communications and donor stewardship manager for the American Heart Association. Career highlights include creating a donor stewardship plan for The Nature Conservancy, developing the campaign brand and communications tools for UCLA Anderson School of Management's $100 million campaign, and writing Museum of Science and Industry's strategic plan. Tracy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Loyola Marymount University and a Master of Arts degree in sports management from California State University, Long Beach.
 

Mary Weingartner

Mary Weingartner has worked in donor relations and stewardship for nearly 10 years, supporting the University of Illinois Foundation, the University of Chicago, and Loyola University Chicago's Health Sciences Division before transitioning into her current position at YMCA of the USA. Mary began her career in the financial services sector - doing sales and trading work for Credit Suisse, CIBC Oppenheimer, and Barrett Trade & Finance Group. Mary earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and religion from Truman State University and later completed the Sorbonne's Cours de Civilization Francaise in Paris.