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The Symbiotic Relationship Between Frontline Fundraisers and Development Operation Roles
Thursday, March 30, 2023, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM EDT
Category: Monthly Programs

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The Symbiotic Relationship Between Frontline Fundraisers and Development Operation Roles

This program will highlight some of the less conspicuous positions that make a development team fully operational. We will explore best practices and the management of these integral roles and how we all work together as a successful development team.

Anticipated takeaways:

  • To learn more about what makes a successful development team fully operational
  • Gain a better understanding of the different roles on the development team and how they support the success of your organization's mission.

    Keynote Introduction: Anne T. Melvin, J.D., Principal, Dynamic Fundraising Training, LLC
    Moderator: Maureen Pena, Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant

    Panelists:  
    Johane Alexis-Phanor, Beyond Wordz, Fundraising and Communications Consulting
    Emily Donohue – 
    Senior Director, Prospect Management and Research, University of MA Boston
    Rosie Martel-Foley
    Vice President, Development Strategies & Governance at United Way

    Sarah Robinson –  Executive Director Advancement, Van Wezel Foundation

 

Thursday, March 30, 2023

9:00-10:30am (Virtual Zoom Program)
 Registration: $20 for WID members (through Friday 3/24/23)
$35 for non-members (and members who register late, after Friday, 3/24/23)
Registration for this program will close on 3/28/23.
No refunds within 7 days of program
Login information will be sent one day in advance of the program.  

REGISTER

Anne T. Melvin, J.D., Principal, Dynamic Fundraising Training, LLC
Anne Melvin has worked both as a volunteer and a professional in the field of development for over 30 years. She is a nationally-known speaker in the world of fundraising, presenting at fundraising conferences and training development teams nationwide through Dynamic Fundraising Training. Her passion is helping others learn how to be better fundraisers so we can all do more for the world. She specializes in donor motivation, cultivation and solicitation and has expertise in adult learning.

At Harvard University, Anne is the Senior Learning Consultant to the central university fundraising operation. In the course of her 30+ years at Harvard, she has run the gamut of development teams including the annual fund, major gifts, stewardship, and gift planning, finally landing on her current passion—professional development of those who raise money.

Prior to joining the nonprofit world, Anne practiced real estate law in the Boston area. She is a cum laude graduate of Williams College and holds a J.D. from the Boston University School of Law.

Maureen Peña, Founder, The Pena Network
Maureen is a consultant and specialist in candidate sourcing and development to the Advancement profession.  She has over 30 years of combined experience in recruitment management, executive search, and career counseling in both the public and private sectors. Prior to starting The Pena Network in 2015, she served as the Director of Career Networks with the Aspen Leadership Group.  Prior to Aspen, she was the Lead Recruiter and Interim Director of Recruitment for Alumni Affairs and Development at Harvard University during their launch of their last campaign.

She began her career as a vocational counselor for a non-profit, Employment Resources Inc. in Cambridge and held senior roles with Adecco, King and Bishop, and Keystone Associates. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Maureen is an active member of AFPMA Board of Directors, having served as the conference program and track chair over a three  year period..  She has presented at CASE national conferences on the topic of strategic talent management. 

Maureen is passionate about building trusted and solid relationships that contribute to the success of employees and the organizations they serve. She has assisted hundreds of candidates at all levels, from entry level to SVP and CEO, within a wide range of industries, including academia, non-profits, technology, financial services, biotech, engineering, healthcare, and consulting.

Johane Alexis-PhanorBeyond Wordz, Fundraising and Communications Consultant
Johane is a fundraising and communications consultant with an expertise in building capacity for organizations that impact racial equity.She grew up as a second generation immigrant in the Haitian enclave of Mattapan, in Boston. Using her entrepreneurial spirit, she launched Beyond Wordz to assist with the organizational development of non-profits doing work to positively impact Black people and Black communities. She has a particular sweet spot for working with organizations that develop affordable housing including Boston Housing Authority, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Africatown Community Land Trust and more. To date, she’s raised close to $3 million to support community development initiatives. In 2022, she was one of 5 finalists for the Haitian-American Young Citizen of the Year given by the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce to recognize professionals under 45 whose commitment, outstanding civic engagement, volunteerism and public service has benefitted their community.

Emily Donohue, Senior Director, Prospect Management and Research, University of MA Boston
Emily Donohue has worked in the field of prospect development for over 17 years and is the Senior Director of Prospect Management and Research at UMass Boston. She was previously Director of Prospect Development at Simmons University. Emily has also held positions in prospect development at Emmanuel College and Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

She currently serves as Vice President of the NEDRA Board of Directors and is a past co-chair of the programming committee. Emily received a BA in history from Kenyon College and an MLS from Simmons University.

Rosie Martel-Foley, Vice President for Development Strategies and Governance, United Way of Massachusetts Bay
In this role she is a leader on the Development team, collaboratively driving strategic initiatives for the Development department as well as managing Board relations as the organization’s staff lead for the Board of Director’s in support of their governance efforts. Prior to her current role, Rosie headed up stewardship efforts at United Way in successive positions for 8 years. She previously held roles at Boston College, where she co-created the Boston College GOLD (Graduates Of the Last Decade) program, led young alumni programming for the Alumni Association, and supported Reunion fundraising programs in the Annual Fund. She has won awards for program development and has been sought out as a resource for stewardship best practices in the United Way system.

 
Sara Robinson, Executive Director Advancement, Van Wezel Foundation
Sara Robinson has over 25 years of experience in arts administration and fundraising in the non-profit sector. Currently serving as Executive Director of Advancement for the Van Wezel Foundation, Ms. Robinson plans and implements strategy and fundraising programs for a $350M public/ private campaign to build the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center. From 2019-2022, she served as Chief Advancement Officer of The Sarasota Ballet. Prior to her position at The Sarasota Ballet, Ms. Robinson led annual and capital fundraising programs for Celebrity Series of Boston and Palm Beach Day Academy. Ms. Robinson is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Southwest Chapter. She served on the Board of Directors of AFP Massachusetts, AFP Membership Services Committee, MASSCreative’s Leadership Council, and several Tessitura TLCC Planning Committees. She holds a CFRE certification, a Certificate in Fundraising from Boston University, a DEI in the Workplace Certificate from University of South Florida Muma College of Business, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pine Manor College.