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Session 6F

The Pathway to the Collaborative Enterprise

Jeff Muller, Anne Marie Halsey, and Kathleen Diemer, CFRE

Thursday, September 22
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (MT)

About the Session

As Helen Keller famously said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Yet so often we experience resistance to building collaborative relationships with the various teams in our organizations – even though they are essential to achieving our goals. Our session will discuss this conundrum and share strategies for busting those siloes and encouraging collaboration, whether it’s within your advancement unit or with other mission-critical teams such as communications, finance, or program. Drawing on more than 60 combined years in the non-profit sector, we will explore various situations we all find ourselves in and discuss what has worked – and what has not – in building effective and rewarding partnerships. No matter your role in an organization, you play a part in this all-important effort and will benefit from this discussion. Time and interest allowing, we will facilitate a discussion to help problem solve a couple collaboration challenges being experienced right now by attendees.

This session will incorporate a mix of humor, empathy, and wisdom to help attendees transform their organizations for the better.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

  • Better identify barriers to collaboration

  • Utilize strategies to build stronger internal partnerships

  • Enhance their relationship building and influence skills

Keywords: 

Strategy, Storytelling, Relationship-Building, Leadership, Inspiring Change

Who Should Attend?
   



 
 

Private Secondary School, Private College/University, Public College/University, Environmental Organization, Religious Organization, Advocacy Organization, Healthcare, Social Services, Arts Organization, Other non-profit

Suitable for any size shop

 Suitable for all levels  
 
About the Speakers

Jeff Muller
Founder & Chief Strategist
Crossroads Insights

Jeff Muller is the Founder and Chief Strategist of Crossroads Insights, a consultancy that partners with NGOs, philanthropies, and other c3 and c4 nonprofits to provide strategic guidance at the nexus of philanthropy, communications, and creating the collaborative enterprise, all with the purpose of strengthening organizations for durable success. For the past twenty years, Jeff has performed this work for organizations of all sizes, from small regional nonprofits to international NGOs. He has helped build the relationships to raise hundreds of millions of dollars that support transformative programs across the United States and around the world, and supported campaigns from $10 million to more than $1 billion.

In addition to his work experience, Jeff has been a frequent presenter on topics related to philanthropy and communications. He spent six years on the board of the Association of Donor Relations Professionals with one term as Secretary/Treasurer.

Ann Marie Halsey
Director, Mission Finance & Operations
Environmental Defence Fund

Anne Marie Halsey is the Director of Mission Finance & Operations at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). She serves as a member of the leadership team of the Enterprise Operations department. Anne joined EDF in 2018 and was previously the Director, Donor Stewardship and Gift Administration.

Previously, she was at Children's National Medical Center for 8 years, ultimately serving as the Director of Foundation Business Operations Administration. Prior to Children's, Anne was the Manager of Donor Relations at the Smithsonian Institution. Anne's 11 years at the Smithsonian included service on the Operations and Advancement teams.

Anne currently serves on the Association of Advancement Services Professional Board as Director of the Membership Operations and Member Engagement Committees. She previously served two terms on the Board of the Association of Donor Relations Professionals and was Chair of their 2017 International Conference.

Anne has a Certificate in Fundraising Operations from Rice University, a MS in Justice, Law and Society from American University, and a BA in Law and Society from Hood College.

Kathleen Diemer, CFRE
Associate Vice President, Advancement Relations
George Mason University

Kathleen Diemer, CFRE, currently serves as Associate Vice President of Advancement Relations at George Mason University. In her role at Mason, she oversees the donor relations, advancement communications, and gifts and records administration teams. Prior to her work at Mason, Kathleen helped guide the University of Maryland's central donor relations unit through two comprehensive fundraising campaigns. During her tenure at Maryland, she helped design and implement the university's Celebration of Scholarships website and Online Endowment Donor Portal, which are widely recognized as the first applications of their kind. These award-winning projects set industry standards and served as models for donor relations and stewardship programs at other organizations. Kathleen has proudly served as both Secretary-Treasurer and President of the Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP). During her term as President, she helped strengthen association policy related to partnerships and conflict of interest and led the association through a strategic visual identity and re-branding process.