OPEN TO APRA MID-ATLANTIC MEMBERS
This conference platforms experts to enhance knowledge sharing in our field across the Mid-Atlantic region. Attendees gain valuable skills and network with peers. Join us for a great week of virtual learning.
SESSION 1: Strengths for Individuals
April 15, 2024 @ 11am
Strengths for Individuals is a primer to understanding the basics of CliftonStrengths. Leslee will share information on how to take the assessment, how to read the results, and what to do to keep using and refining your Strengths. You do not have to have taken your CliftonStrengths assessment or have your results in hand to attend the session.
Session attendees will be entered into a drawing for a FREE assessment code!
Leslee Gensinger, speaker, is a certified CliftonStrengths Coach and an accomplished organizational development (OD) and learning and development (L&D) manager with over 15 years of experience in creating and delivering impactful training programs for diverse organizations. She has experience developing team members, managers, and leaders at Virginia Credit Union and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
She is passionate about supporting workplace culture and employee engagement through strengths-based coaching, communication, and collaboration. She helps individuals and teams discover and leverage their unique talents, foster an outward mindset, and achieve their goals. She is always eager to learn, grow, and share her expertise and enthusiasm with others. She believes that by investing in people's development, she can contribute to the success and satisfaction of the organizations and the customers they serve.
Leslee has been married for 11 years to her wonderful husband, Chris. They have two cats who reign havoc on their household. Leslee is an avid runner, having completed 8 Richmond Marathons and 3 Disney Dopey Challenges! You can usually find her somewhere between downtown Richmond and the Fan district on Saturday mornings!
SESSION 2: What Now? A Panel Discussion on Post-Campaign Life
April 16, 2024 @ 11am
Join speakers from Apra PA to learn all about ending a campaign. There’s so much information out there on how to plan and conduct a fundraising campaign. But once they end, it can be a weird time of wrap-up and transition. Join three professionals who have been there to learn about what they did, what they learned, and what they recommend.
Devon Kramer, moderator, is a Prospect Research and Management Analyst with Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior, she held prospect development positions at both Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Lehigh University. She began her career in publishing as an editor with Prevention magazine, and earned a BA in professional writing and an MA in English from Kutztown University. Devon sits on the board of Apra Pennsylvania as Website and Communications Director.
Emily Kahn, panelist, is Executive Director, Prospect Management & Analytics (PMA) at Drexel University. The PMA team is responsible for powering frontline fundraiser success through a comprehensive program of portfolio reviews, prospect pool analyses, prospect research profiles, and proactive prospect identification. Prior to joining Drexel in 2015, Emily ran a one-person prospect research shop at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation. She holds a BA in mathematics from Hood College.
After 20 years in nonprofit management, including 10 years at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Jodi McLaughlin, panelist, left fundraising to pursue her Masters in Public Health at Tulane University. Currently completing her degree, Jodi is presently consulting for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, where she is helping the Development division and the organization create data-focused systems to maximize its audience engagement and fundraising potential. She is also immersed in the local and regional food system of SW Pennsylvania, where she is a member of the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, Food Justice Fund Committee, and actively works with the community to create pathways for equitable food access. Jodi and her family also run West View Urban Farm, a volunteer-led initiative to improve food access in their community.
Lauren Woodring, panelist, is the Director of Prospect Research and Management at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Before joining the museum, her first fundraising position was at Ensemble Arts Philly (formerly the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.) She has a B.A. from Lebanon Valley College, a M.A. from LaSalle University, and a MLitt from the University of St Andrews. She is the President of Apra Pennsylvania and the Co-Chair of the AASP Best Practices in Prospect Development Committee.
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Session 3: Coffee Networking with APRA Maryland
April 17, 2024 @ 9am
Grab a cup of coffee and connect with peers from other Mid-Atlantic chapters! Attendees will have the option to join breakout rooms based on a variety of interest areas. We hope to see you there!
SESSION 4: Data-Driven Fundraising: From Hopes & Dreams to Forecasting and YOY Growth
April 17, 2024 @ 11am
The Kennedy Center has long had a robust and successful fundraising operation, raising more than $70m annually across a diversified array of funding mechanisms. But analysis and strategic planning about how to emerge post-pandemic showed our weaknesses in prospect development and opportunities for revenue growth. In this session, you will learn how the Kennedy Center went from spreadsheet trackers and endless prospect review meetings to data-driven portfolio reviews and machine-learning in prospect identification, and how to chart your own journey to data-driven fundraising practices.
Sarah Wilber, speaker, is the Vice President of Capital Campaigns and Strategic Planning at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She oversees three teams: Prospect Development, Intelligence, and Analytics; Strategic Planning and Capital Campaigns (inclusive of the Kennedy Center’s $250m endowment campaign), and Special Events (inclusive of all major annual fundraisers, such as the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and the Kennedy Center Honors). Before moving into strategic planning and business development work, Sarah started her career at the Kennedy Center in the Institutional Giving team, managing the fundraising efforts for a variety of artistic and educational programs. Prior to joining the Kennedy Center staff, she worked in sales, special promotions, and client engagement effort at the University Musical Society (UMS) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, one of the oldest performing arts presenters in the country. She also worked in both the Marketing and Guest Services departments at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. Originally from the Chicagoland area, Sarah received her degree in Performing Arts Management from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
SESSION 5: Strategies for Amplifying Your Voice and Advocating for Your Team in Prospect Development
April 18, 2024 @ 10am
In the dynamic field of Prospect Development, securing a seat at the table goes beyond mere presence; it requires making impactful contributions that drive your team's growth and success. This session is tailored for individuals feeling overshadowed in their roles, as well as leaders aiming to enhance their team's advancement and marketability. We will provide practical tips on how to effectively advocate for yourself and your team, becoming an influential voice in your industry.
Join us for an engaging exploration into self-advocacy and team representation within Prospect Development. Whether you are an emerging professional striving to demonstrate your value, or a seasoned leader looking to cultivate a culture of recognition and professional growth, this presentation will arm you with the strategies needed to elevate your career and your team's position in the field.
Discover actionable strategies to:
Showcase Your Value: Learn how to effectively communicate your contributions and the distinctive value you bring to your organization, ensuring your efforts are seen and appreciated.
Advocate for Resources: Master the skill of making compelling cases for the resources your team needs, from additional staff to essential tools that enhance productivity and success.
Onboard, Retain, and Promote Talent: Uncover techniques for highlighting and advocating for your team's talents, driving recognition, and opening opportunities for professional growth.
Utilize the Apra Advocacy Toolkit: Get hands-on with the Apra Advocacy Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to bolster your advocacy efforts, helping you articulate the critical role of Prospect Development professionals in achieving fundraising goals.
Through practical tips and real-world examples, this presentation will empower you to step into a role of influence and advocacy, ensuring you and your team are not just participants, but key drivers of your organization's success.
Prisca Zaccaria, speaker
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