APRIL 21-25, 2025 - VIRTUAL
What defines a great prospect researcher, relationship manager, or data analyst? Beyond displaying core competencies, what conveys professional excellence? Frequently, it's so-called "soft" skills - exercising them successfully is a critical piece in solving the toughest prospect development and fundraising challenges.
This April, grab your professional development controller and come with us on a virtual journey to master multidirectional management, adopt a growth mindset, leverage strategic partnerships, explore education and certification paths, and shake imposter syndrome for good.
Wrap up the week by unlocking a tour of Apra's Body of Knowledge.
Let's LEVEL UP.
OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL CHAPTERS
SESSION 1: Navigating the Workplace Jungle: Managing Up, Down, and Across
Monday, April 21, 2025 @ 1pm ET
Ever feel like the workplace is a maze of hierarchies, personalities, and unspoken rules? Whether you're working with your boss, peers, or that one person who always 'forgets' to reply to emails, managing relationships effectively is key to getting things done.
This interactive session will help you master the art of managing up, down, and across – not by kissing up or playing politics, but by building trust, sharpening communication, and aligning goals for mutual success. Through engaging discussions and real-world scenarios, you’ll learn how to:
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Influence without authority (yes, even your boss)
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Navigate tricky workplace dynamics with confidence
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Cultivate professional relationships that make work less stressful and more productive.
Join this session for a lively, practical, and occasionally hilarious deep dive into the essential skills of workplace navigation – because everyone has a boss, and managing up is just as important as managing down!
SPEAKER: Amy Carrier
With over twenty years of advancement operations and nonprofit management experience, Amy’s expertise lies in driving positive change, fostering innovation, and enhancing organizational effectiveness through the strategic use of technology solutions. In her role she is focused on helping institutions leverage systems and information to reinforce a donor-centric approach to fundraising. Amy’s leadership style is marked by creativity and collaboration and she is regarded as an inspiring mentor and leader with a strong track record of managing diverse teams. She is a strong advocate for rallying individuals across units to leverage their collective strengths and perspectives, effectively enhancing an organization’s capacity to secure philanthropic support for its mission and initiatives. Amy’s career journey includes positions at Boston College, Oregon State University, Barnard College, and Georgetown University. She sits on the alumni board of Trinity University and is actively involved with organizations that promote animal welfare and pet adoption. Amy holds master’s degrees in Theology and Public Policy and a Ph.D. in Public Affairs.
SESSION 2: Unlocking Potential: The Power of a Growth Mindset for Prospect Researchers
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 @ 11am ET
In the fast-evolving world of prospect research, adaptability is key to success. Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset reveals that our belief in our ability to develop skills and intelligence directly impacts our effort, resilience, and ultimate success. This interactive session will explore how adopting a growth mindset can help you quiet limiting beliefs, navigate setbacks, and stay motivated under challenging conditions. We will share actionable strategies to help you boost your performance, wellbeing, and collaboration.
SPEAKER: Hannah Malvin, ACC
Hannah is a leadership coach and workplace culture consultant certified in applied positive psychology, the study of wellbeing. She focuses on helping leaders establish the conditions for high performance and staff wellbeing and has supported NASA, Amazon, Fidelity, and dozens of nonprofits.
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Session 3: MBA, CFRE, Ed.D? What Letters to Add After Your Name and Why
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 @ 11am ET
In advancement, professional researchers and advancement operations staff are an invaluable resource, as fundraising success depends on innovative and strategic research as well as sound business operations. As philanthropy evolves and organizations continue to grow, so does the demand for transformative gifts and record-setting campaigns. Advancement operations and prospect development teams lay the foundation for these wins as they play a critical role in helping organizations increase organizational efficacy, foster donor engagement, and raise more money overall. To meet the challenge, individuals working in these roles must remain dedicated to professional knowledge and growth.
Join our moderator, Kim Farr, CFRE, MBA, and panelists Michelle Nicoletto, MBA, Chase McNamee, EDD, Shalonda Martin, EDD, and Chris Mildner, CFRE as they discuss their chosen pathways to professional development. Whether through formal education or professional certification, this group will help you think about how to mark your career accomplishments while also equipping yourself to meet the needs of your fundraising shop.
MODERATOR: Kim Farr, MBA, CFRE
Kim serves as a Senior Associate and Search Consultant with Aspen Leadership Group, an executive search firm focusing on the philanthropy industry. Before Aspen, Kim worked in the advancement field for over 20 years. She started her career in prospect research at Georgia State University and honed her research craft through various roles. Her expertise also includes annual giving, prospect analysis, stewardship, and development writing. She contributed to multiple fundraising campaigns, primarily at higher education organizations. Kim earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2017 and earned an M.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2022. Kim served three terms on the APRA-GA board, and a single term as a member of the Ethics Committee for APRA International.
PANELIST: Shalonda Martin, Ed.D, Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
Dr. Shalonda Martin is an Advancement Services leader, DEI strategist, and scholar-practitioner with over 20 years of expertise in fundraising operations, data strategy, and organizational leadership. She is the Executive Director of Advancement Services at Pomona College, overseeing Research, Relationship Management & Analytics, Data Administration, Gift Services, Stewardship, CRM Strategy & Business Process, and Advancement Technology. Dr. Martin, a recognized thought leader, has also led teams at Pepperdine University, UCLA, and USC, driving change initiatives, quality assurance programs, and technology implementations, including a recent Salesforce transition at her current institution. She is actively involved in APRA, CASE, and AASP, chairing committees and serving as faculty for CASE’s Summer Institute for Advancement Services and the Gift and Records Workshop. An ICF-certified leadership coach, Dr. Martin supports professionals in career growth, focusing on women of color and leaders who advance DEIB. She founded SM Coaching and Consulting and co-founded Advancing Belonging Consultants (ABC).
PANELIST: Chase McNamee, Ed.D
Dr. Chase McNamee is a scholar-practitioner in institutional advancement and higher education. He has served in a variety of roles across advancement, including in campaign operations, alumni relations, donor relations and stewardship, development strategy, and advancement services. Dr. McNamee is currently the Director of Campaign Operations for Advancement at the University of Denver. He also currently serves as a research fellow for The Tzedakah Lab at Teachers College, Columbia University and as the Associate Editor of Philanthropy & Education. He is a co-founder of Alumni Belonging Consultants. His research, consulting, and practice focuses on evidence-informed practice and policy and identity-based philanthropy in institutional advancement and higher education.
PANELIST: Chris Mildner, CFRE
Chris Mildner, CFRE has been doing prospect research and management since the dark ages. Currently, she provides prospect development, discovery management, and strategy development for Alaska, Oregon and Idaho at The Nature Conservancy. Previously, she held prospect research, database management, and donor relations positions at higher ed and healthcare institutions and has been a consultant, as well as facilitating six database conversions. She has been an author and editor for Apra Connections, has presented on a variety of development topics, and has taught the prospect research segment for the AFP CFRE exam prep course. Chris has a B.A. in intercultural and organizational communication from Rutgers University.
PANELIST: Michelle Nicoletto, MBA
Michelle Nicoletto is a well-rounded development professional with over fifteen years of experience focused on fundraising and prospect development. Since 2014, Michelle has worked for her alma mater, Temple University. She currently supports the Lewis Katz School of Medicine and the Temple Health System through prospect research, pipeline management and due diligence. In May 2020, she earned her MBA in strategic management.
SESSION 4: Strategy, Action, and Senior Leadership: Partnering to Make the Most of Your Strategy Meetings
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 @ 1pm ET
Effective strategy sessions can be tough without the right partnership, preparation, and tools. To facilitate better strategy discussions and action item follow-through, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation's Director of Prospect Development (PD) and Associate Vice President for Development partnered to revamp the monthly principal gift strategy meetings. With input from the fundraisers as well, the pair redefined the scope of the strategy meetings, stakeholders that should be included, and the expectations for how each stakeholder will prep for and interact during the strategy sessions. The fundraisers prepare strategy worksheets to outline roadblocks, engagement opportunities, and assistance needed from senior leadership. In addition to prospect research and relationship mapping, the Director of PD developed an Action Item Tracker for the strategy group to track and follow up on next steps. Join us to learn how we partnered to get the most out of every strategy session.
SPEAKER: Lindsay Rogillio
Lindsay is the Director of Prospect Development and Analytics at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, leading the prospect management, prospect research, and prospect data analytics efforts. Prior to her current position, Lindsay spent nearly 10 years in higher education prospect development offices at the University of South Carolina and Virginia Commonwealth University. She has volunteered with aasp's Membership Engagement Committee and Best Practices in Prospect Development Committee. She holds a master's in library and information science from the University of South Carolina, and is completing a master's in decision analytics from Virginia Commonwealth University. Lindsay loves traveling, salsa dancing, and enjoying every food festival she can make it to.
SPEAKER: Julie Solomon
Julie is the Associate Vice President for Development for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, leading and managing the individual fundraising teams including principal gifts, regional philanthropy/major gifts, gift planning and the CW Fund. Julie has worked in fundraising for over 30 years. Prior to her current position, she served as Managing Director of the Advancement team at EAB Global Inc., a leading provider of subscription-based research, software and technology-enabled services to the higher education industry. Prior to EAB, Julie held various roles in fundraising at her alma mater, Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY; Union College in Schenectady, NY; and the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA. Married with two children, Julie enjoys adventure travel and training for athletic pursuits with her husband.
SESSION 5: Know Your Worth: Flipping Impostor Syndrome on its Head for Prospect Development Professionals
Thursday, April 24, 2025 @ 11am ET
Whether you are just starting out as a Prospect Development professional and feel like a small part of the fundraising process, or you have been in the field for a while but don't feel as influential as the "frontline" fundraisers, this session is for you. We will explore strategies to boost your confidence, find your voice, thrive, and recognize your true value in ensuring your organization's – and YOUR – success!
SPEAKER: Susan Hunt
With over 30 years in Prospect Development and many years at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Susan's tenure spans from directing prospect development, international development operations and donor relations to her current role as Senior Prospect Development Advisor, where Prospect Research and Management, communications, and team management are the cornerstones of her expertise.
BONUS LEVEL - SESSION 6: Unlock Excellence: Touring the Apra Body of Knowledge
Friday, April 25, 2025 @ 1pm ET
Apra's Body of Knowledge (BOK) organizes the various skills of prospect development into four domains: Prospect Research, Data Science, Relationship Management, and Leadership. It is a valuable tool for assessing skills and knowledge at the individual or team level and for planning professional development. Join Tim Wilson, Prospect Management & Research Manager at Weber State University and Apra Foundation board member, to learn more about the features of the BOK and how you can use it to power your career! There will be plenty of time for Q&A and discussion.
SPEAKER: Tim Wilson
Tim Wilson is the inaugural Prospect Management & Research Manager at Weber State University, joining in 2021 from Intermountain Health Foundation. Intermountain recruited him from his native Boston in 2018. Previously, Tim spent 18 years in prospect development at Harvard Business School, where his career began. In Boston, he served on the NEDRA Board of Directors. Tim has been president of Apra Utah; co-chaired the 2024 Executive Leadership Cohort at the Apra PD conference; and is currently on the Apra Foundation. Jay Frost, Jennifer Filla, and Louis Diez have welcomed Tim as a guest on their podcasts, and he hosts his own podcast, “People in Fundraising,” which launched in 2022. Tim and his wife have four kids, three of whom are teenagers :- ).
The Apra Foundation was founded in 1998 to support educational opportunities and professional development for individuals engaged in advancement research and to serve as the charitable arm of Apra. The Foundation Board of Trustees is comprised of leaders in our industry who have served or currently serve on the Apra Board of Directors. Two primary activities of the Foundation are supporting the Apra Awards and granting $300 to Apra International Members that have experienced financial hardship continue to access the breadth of educational resources that Apra has to offer.
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