Member Spotlight: Stephanie Christie
Stephanie Christie
Comp Drug/Youth to Youth
Q: Tell us a little about your organization. Mission? Population you serve? What do you like most about working there?
A: CompDrug offers a comprehensive spectrum of services focusing on treatment and prevention of substance misuse and abuse.
Q: How long have you been an AFP member, and what has your involvement been?
A: Stephanie just received her 5-year badge! Her involvement has evolved from being a periphery member to joining committees, becoming a mentee and now chairing National Philanthropy Day. She has continued to find her membership more rewarding as her involvement in the organization has progressed. She is sure that Chairing National Philanthropy Day this year will bring her skills and experience she couldn’t have gained elsewhere. She has learned that getting involved at a committee and leadership level has provided the most opportunities for networking and relationship building that has a priceless value.
Q: What do you consider the most valuable part of your AFP membership?
A: AFP membership has functioned as an organic mentorship for Stephanie. Relationship building with development professionals, connections to outside philanthropists and networking are just a few of the experiences she considers most valuable. She has been able to learn through the collective experience and knowledge of her fundraising peers.
Q: How long have you been in fundraising, and how did you get into it?
A: Stephanie has been in the fundraising field upwards of 6 years, and has officially been Development Director for 6 months. IT is because of her involvement in AFP that she was able to successfully advocate for this organization’s first full-time development director in its history.
Q: What is your favorite part about living/working in Columbus?
A: Stephanie has a great appreciation for the arts and cultures scene in Columbus. She views Columbus as a big city with a small-town feel. And most of all, she views Columbus’ saturation with nonprofits to be a reflection of the values and priorities of our city. She is proud to be a part of such an empowering city.
Q: Tell us a fun fact about you that other AFP members wouldn’t know.
A: Stephanie JUST GOT ENGAGED! This past January J
Q: Tell us about your experience with the mentor/mentee program.
A: Stephanie could not speak more highly of the mentor/mentee program. It enabled her to take on a completely new fundraising position within CompDrug with confidence. Her mentor, Ruth Watkins, helped Stephanie foster relationships that have lasted well beyond the program. On a practical side, she appreciated the materials and insight Ruth provided her. But Stephanie also enjoyed having an experienced member of the field she could bounce her ideas off of; Ruth’s feedback gave her assurance she was on the right track and making the right decisions.
Posted March 2017