Concurrent Sessions 8

8A: Creating Moments of Joy and Delight: Stewardship and Donor Relations at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital

Perched atop the "Medical Mile" in Grand Rapids, Michigan is Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, where more than 20 programs and services rely 100% on philanthropy to continue, and dozens are enhanced by the generosity of the community. In keeping with this year's theme of To Be a Kid Again: 20 Years of Looking Up, this session will showcase some of the creative, meaningful ways we are stewarding philanthropic partners at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital to express gratitude, deepen their connection to the hospital and its mission, and plant the seed for future support. From donor recognition to social media to tangible tokens of appreciation, this presentation will feature ideas that can be applied in (almost) every organization I will also highlight the importance of collaboration in developing plans for stewardship, from the philanthropy team to the leadership of the organization and the program staff whose work benefits from the gift.

All Audiences  ⬧  All Levels  ⬧  Any Size Shop

Danielle Josephine DeWitt, MHA has dedicated nearly 17 years to the field of philanthropy, gaining extensive experience in campaign project management, and grant writing, and more than 12 years in donor relations and stewardship. She embarked on this journey in philanthropy at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), where she received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. During her nine years at GVSU, Danielle had a variety of roles, including campaign project management for the university’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, which successfully raised $100M. Her range of responsibilities has also included events; grant writing; and establishing GVSU’s first full-time stewardship position. For the last eight years, she has worked in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of healthcare at Corewell Health, the largest health system in the state of Michigan. As Senior Foundation Specialist for Donor Relations and Stewardship for Corewell Health Foundation West Michigan and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation, Danielle leads the gratitude efforts for the West Michigan region of Corewell Health, which spans across 10 acute-care hospitals, a free-standing children’s hospital, and the nationally recognized Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center and Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion. Beyond these professional achievements, Danielle is deeply committed to her community. She serves as president-elect of the Grand Valley State University Alumni Association, co-race director for the Colon Cancer Coalition’s Get Your Rear in Gear Grand Rapids 5K run/walk, and a member of the high school essay competition judges’ committee for The Economic Club of Grand Rapids. In her free time, she enjoys mentoring, reading, advocating for better mental health care and gender equity, and spending time with her eight nieces and nephews.

8B: Tag! You're It! -- How Donor Relations Portfolios Can Keep Your Donor Cycle Game Strong

Have you ever heard your major gift officer say “I have this donor who is not ready for their next gift but needs stewardship? Or needs “something” but they just can’t stay here? Where do they go? How do we keep them engaged until they are ready for their next big gift? This session will discuss how Purdue for Life Foundation worked together to establish a pathway for creating Donor Relations portfolios. We hope that when you leave this session you will come away with ideas on how you can create your own Donor Relations portfolio for your organization, examples of actions plans you can put in place, and an opportunity to play a key role in the donor cycle.

All Audiences  ⬧  All Levels  ⬧  Any Size Shop

Michele Miller joined the Purdue for Life Foundation in March 2020 as Assistant Vice President for Strategy & Prospect Development. In her current role as Vice President for Advancement Operations, she leads the centralized functions of Strategy & Prospect Development, Donor Services, Donor Relations, Talent Development and Administrative Support. As a passionate fundraiser and information management professional, Michele has over 20 years of experience in human service, higher education, and arts organizations. Her experience includes leading teams in prospect development, gift administration, reporting, analytics, data management, stewardship, IT and market research. Michele began her development career at United Way of Central Indiana and held leadership positions at Ball State University Foundation and Butler University. Michele is a member of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement, the Association of Advancement Services Professionals, and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. She served as a member of the APRA Indiana Board of Directors from 2002-2006, including serving as Chapter President in 2005 and 2006. In 2006, she received the APRA Indiana Service Award. Michele resides in Fishers, IN with her husband, two daughters, and beloved dogs.

Jeannine Bergeron serves as Associate Vice President for Purdue for Life Foundation. Previously, she served as Director of Stewardship at Rush University Medical Center and Associate Director of Donor Communications at University of Chicago Medicine. Jeannine is an award-winning communications strategist with more than 20 years of corporate, investor, and donor relations experience. In 2019, she presented "Using Data to Drive Stewardship" at the AAMC National Professional Development Conference for Institutional Advancement. Her work has been recognized by the Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP) for Best Impact Reporting and by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for Best Program in Donor Recognition and Stewardship. Jeannine holds a Master of Science degree in Communications from Northwestern University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Loyola University of Chicago, Certificates in Editing and Project Management from the University of Chicago, and a Certificate in Fine and Decorative French Art History from Christie’s Education, Paris.

8C: No Whining: Making the Case For New (People, Programs, or Processes)

Looking to add to your team? Wanting to launch a new recognition idea as part of your campaign? Fed up with a complicated system and have a great idea to improve its efficiency? Making the case for new people, programs, or processes requires preparation, prose, and a little bit of patience and positivity. Join this session for a discussion, tips, and examples of strategic requests that resonate in a well-organized and clear way.

All Audiences  ⬧  Mid-career, Seasoned  ⬧  Any Size Shop

Eliza McNulty is Director of Donor Relations at Stanford University. She leads the university's 18-person central donor relations team and works with senior development staff and colleagues across campus to shape the vision for comprehensive donor relations at Stanford. Prior to Stanford, Eliza held donor relations, communications, and development positions at YMCA of the USA, Loyola University Health System, and the Elks National Foundation. Eliza is Past President of the Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP). While serving ADRP, she advocated for and promoted the donor relations profession, representing the association's nearly 1,800 international members. Eliza shares her passion for gratitude by speaking, writing, and presenting on effective practices in donor relations and stewardship. She has 25 years fundraising experience in healthcare, university, and national membership offices.

8D: Leading with Equity and Inclusion in Donor Communications Part 2

Fundraising plays a vital role in driving social change, with donor relations and stewardship serving as the foundational pillars for achieving transformation. As the philanthropic landscape evolves, so do the strategies for charitable giving and managing stewardship and engagement efforts. As leaders in this field, we need to stay forward-thinking, emphasizing innovation to promote inclusivity and equity in our fundraising and donor communications so all supporters feel welcomed and valued. This is a participatory workshop that defines diversity, equity and inclusivity as it relates to your fundraising and donor relations strategies. Together we will explore how to apply a diversity, equity and inclusion lens within your organization’s communications to strengthen community and deepen relationships with donors and funders.

	Leticia John is the Managing Director for the Development Division at Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). Overall she is responsible for supporting the strategic direction, operational effectiveness, and overall success of PPFA’s fundraising operations and provides visionary leadership, and a positive organizational culture to drive performance excellence. Before coming to PPFA she earned her B.A. from Northeastern University and her master's in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from New York University. Leticia has nearly 20 years of diverse experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, working with academic institutions, philanthropic consulting firms, national and international healthcare organizations, and government agencies. She enjoys developing meaningful partnerships and creating mutually beneficial solutions that promote and improve access to economic, educational, social, and health care equalities.
	Sharday Urtarte is a passionate DEI leader with over 10 years of experience driving inclusivity across nonprofits and corporations. A proud Dominican from the South Bronx and a graduate of The Ohio State University, Sharday is devoted to advocating for Black and Latina Reproductive Health. She led key initiatives, including Planned Parenthood's 2022 midterm "Get Out the Vote" campaign and Apple's WARD Program promoting anti-racism and discrimination. Currently spearheading Philanthropic Communications projects at Planned Parenthood’s National Office, Sharday also chairs the Civic & Economics Committee for New York Urban League Young Professionals, where she drives voter registration and political education. A Georgetown University's 2023 Emerging Leaders graduate and a 2024 Memorial Foundation Social Justice Fellow, Sharday leverages her global experience and Spanish fluency to champion civil and social justice.
	Aimee White has served in the nonprofit sector for 20 years, starting her career as a journalist for a local nonprofit newspaper before focusing on fund development and donor communications. She currently serves as the Director of Annual Giving for Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai’i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky. Aimee held fundraising leadership roles with organizations in Washington and Indiana including American Red Cross, United Way, Bellevue College, and NPR station KUOW. In all of her roles, she has been committed to equity in philanthropy by making strategic shifts in donor communications, blurring the wealth divide, and investing in community partnerships.

8E: Captain Planet: Creating Sustainable Donor Relations Practices

Who didn't want to be a member of Captain Planet's group of environmentalists called the Planeteers when they were younger? Learning to recycle and stopping litterbugs was an easy way to help feel like you were part of something bigger. Join us as we present ideas on how you can save the planet as a donor relations professional by implementing sustainable practices in your everyday work. You will learn expert-recommended tips on how you can adjust your stewardship, acknowledgement, recognition and engagement projects to be more environmentally conscious which also means positive economic benefits. Then, you will have time to work in small groups to develop your own plans to bring back to your organization. Small changes can often lead to big results, so invest in the future of our planet!

All Audiences  ⬧  All Levels  ⬧  Any Size Shop

Colin Daly has served as the Director of Stewardship at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Froedtert Hospital Foundation for 2.5 years. He oversees all stewardship, acknowledgement, recognition, and donor engagement efforts in a department of 40 professionals. Prior to this role, he was the Director of Welcome Programs at UW-Milwaukee overseeing all campus orientation and tours. In his free time, he serves as the President of the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation - a group of volunteers who run 6 events for 15,000 residents. He is also engaged politically by helping run the successful campaign of his friend Peter Burgelis, the first out member of the Milwaukee County Supervisors.

Bethany Olson has been with the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Froedtert Hospital Foundation for 5 years. Serving as Stewardship Program Coordinator for the last 2.5 years, she facilitates all donor acknowledgement programs and leads the donor recognition initiatives, ensuring that all donors are met with sincere gratitude for their support and recognize the impact their support makes in healthcare and medical education. Bethany received a B.S. in Psychology from UW-Madison and went on to earn her M.S in Education in Counseling Foundations at Concordia University, Wisconsin. Her interest in psychology and understanding the motivations and interests of a person have inspired her desire to spread gratitude and share with donors the difference they are making in their communities. In her free time, Bethany enjoys cooking fun dinners with her husband, going on adventures with friends, and spending time with her 6-year-old Great Pyrenees mix, Cooper.

8F: The Friendship Bracelet Model: How to Weave A Long-Lasting, Meaningful Donor Journey with Technology

With an impactful donor stewardship strategy, organizations foster trust and loyalty with donors, inspiring them to give year after year. But in a digital age, it's becoming increasingly difficult to cut through the noise and reach donors in meaningful ways. Your organization is faced with robocalls, spam and mass emails competing for your donors' attention on a daily basis. So how can you steward donors personally and authentically, yet at a level that will truly drive impact? In this panel, donor relations leaders from Planned Parenthood and JDRF will explore common challenges they face in engaging and stewarding donors. They will share with attendees how they "weave together" key touchpoints and channels to connect with donors at scale using technology tools like video messaging and AI-powered outreach. Attendees will leave the session with fresh insights, actionable tactics and the essential tools they need to drive measurable results for donor retention, engagement and satisfaction.

All Audiences  ⬧  Mid-career, Seasoned, Experienced  ⬧  Any Size Shop

	Chelsea Poch is the National Manager of Donor Engagement at JDRF International. She has been in the Donor Relations and Fundraising sector for eight years. She is currently the Co-Chair of Volunteer and Member Experience Committee with ADRP and has been a member since 2020. She achieved her Master's in Nonprofit Leadership and Management in 2018 from Arizona State University and resides in the Colorado Springs Area.
	Bethany Watson serves at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. In her sixth year at Gleaners, Bethany contributes to the fight against hunger by collaborating with donors through ongoing programs, raising support to improve capital infrastructure, and implementing innovations in the realm of food insecurity. Bethany holds a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Indianapolis. Bethany lives with her husband in Bates Hendricks where they enjoy Indianapolis' cultural community through performances, food, and nature.
	Brent Bridwell serves as Director of Donor Engagement at Gleaners Food Bank, the largest food bank in Indiana. Brent has worked in nonprofits his entire career, from the performing arts to afterschool and summer programs for underserved youth in Chicago, to his current role at Gleaners. He has passions for serving others, forging relationships with generous donors, and building fundraising strategies for his team at Gleaners. He lives on the northeast side of Indianapolis with his wife and dog Bowbie.
	Frank Mumford is a fundraiser at heart who found his way into supporting nonprofits through creative software solutions. Frank got his start as a student telethon fundraiser and joined Gratavid after serving as Senior Donor Advisor at The Greater Twin Cities United Way. He serves on the AFP MN Board of Directors and NMU Alumni Association Board, and obtained his CFRE in 2019 after 8 years in the nonprofit sector as a fundraiser and has been in the space for more than 14 years. Frank is Head of Strategic Partnerships at Gravyty, the leader in engagement and fundraising technology.

8G: One Stitch at a Time: What Knitting Taught Me About Donor Relations

Calling all crafty, creative, and curious conference attendees from all organizations and donor relations shop sizes, join this session to learn useful tips and lessons about donor relations, and life, through the lens of the art of knitting. Attendees will learn about resource allocation, expanding your knowledge and experience, process and timelines, and perserverance. Attendees are invited to work on their portable crafts and makes while at this session. (Sometimes we make a mess with our crafts, let's keep our conference room clean for the next session!)

All Audiences  ⬧  Newcomer (0-3 years), Early-career (4-7 years)  ⬧  Any Size Shop

Scott S. Eichinger has nearly 25 years of nonprofit fundraising experience with performing arts, higher education, and environmental organizations. His areas of expertise include donor relations, stewardship, donor engagement and event planning, and individual giving. Most recently, Scott was the Senior Director, Donor Relations for the National Park Foundation, the official philanthropic partner for the National Park Service. 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 an MA in Arts Management from American University and a BFA in Theatre Management from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He is President-Elect of the Board of Directors of the Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP).