Q: How did you find your way into the world of fundraising? Was it the plan, or did you stumble into it along the way?

 I say I found my way “upside down with my skirt over my head.”  I was working for Jazz Arts Group of Columbus doing events which turned into donor events which turned into development. 

Q: Tell us a little about the organization you work with—its mission, who it serves, and what excites you most about the work.

I am now the Executive Director of the Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington and our mission is “Building pathways to experience the joy and wonder of the arts.” I can’t imagine a better mission to work to fulfill every day. This is how I have lived my life for almost 30 years in Central Ohio.

Q: How long have you been part of AFP, and what do you value most about your membership?

I have been a member of AFP for more than 10 years. AFP has been absolute life saving for my career, no one goes to school to raise money. It is an amazing professional association filled with like minded people. I recommend AFP to everyone I meet who is in development or thinking about getting into development.

Q: What’s a moment in your career that made you think, “This is why I do this work”?

 I am very lucky because I get to see our mission fulfilled almost every day. I see it fulfilled through the thousands of students that come through the door every year, those students range in ages from 2 to folks in their 90s. I get to see our mission fulfilled through our performing arts series and our visual arts exhibitions. Recently a donor told me that she has never felt more comfortable in a space anywhere in her life, that meant so much to me. I also had a student once tell me that the work we do makes life worth living…..that was an incredible moment

Q: What’s one lesson fundraising has taught you about people?

People don’t give to organizations; they give to people.  I personally only give to organizations where I know that on the other end is going to fulfill the mission. I’ve seen that hold true time and time again through my work. It has also taught me that there are a lot of generous people in the world who want to use their financial success to see change.

Q: What’s a piece of fundraising advice you’ve heard that has always stuck with you?

Development is not about money, galas, solicitations, or transactions, it’s about relationships. Period, end of story.

Q: Do you have a favorite book, blog, podcast, or resource that has been helpful in your career that you’d recommend?

Anything by Brene Brown, Board Source is my go-to website resource, I look at that site every single week. 

Q: What do you enjoy most about living or working in Central Ohio? Any favorite spots?

I have made central Ohio my home for almost 30 years, it’s like a small town in a big city. I love going to arts events because I am guaranteed to run into someone that I know. During the pandemic I made a project out of visiting all 26 of the metro parks, that was a true highlight. I got to see how our city and state prioritized green spaces and serenity and well-being over development of land. That made an enormous impact on my love of my chosen city.

Q: Outside of work, what’s something you enjoy doing in your free time?

Travel, travel is everything to me. I have been to 18 countries and have SO many more places I want to go. I also get delight from traveling to new places in Ohio, I have never met a smalltown in Ohio that I didn’t love. Growing up in Phoenix, Arizona is VERY different from living in Ohio so I think I still have the fresh eyes of someone who grew up in the desert. 

Q: If someone handed you a ticket for your dream vacation tomorrow, where would you go?

China. My husband and I had a trip planned and booked to go to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan………it was scheduled for May of 2020, that obviously did not happen. I have been lucky enough to go to Asia twice, Korea and Thailand, I’m excited to get back there soon. I will be taking a group of 21 patrons from the McConnell Arts Center to Paris this October so that will suffice for now 😊

Q: If fundraising had a mascot animal, what would it be and why?

The sloth! I picked the sloth because of their slow and methodical nature. Nothing about fundraising includes instant gratification, it’s the slow burn and thoughtful positioning that breeds success.