 When people learn about my longtime career in fundraising, they inevitably ask how I came to this line of work. My answer, like that of many development professionals, is that it just sort of happened. In my early twenties, I assumed I was headed toward a career in college teaching, but a detour into the public relations office at Tabor College (Hillsboro, KS) headed me in a different direction. The rest is history.
My career has included administrative positions at three Christian colleges and directing a grant-funded project for the Coalition of Christian Colleges (now Council for Christian Colleges and Universities). For a brief stint, I worked with the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania as the Director of the Foundation for Independent Colleges of Pennsylvania. And now, I provide consulting help to Christian colleges, seminaries and other faith-based organizations in the areas of fundraising and trustee board development. In between work and raising a family, I earned an M.A. degree in English from Wichita State University and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Temple University.
Along the way, I’ve been privileged to participate in an amazing range of organizations and programs. I’ve assisted with faculty-initiated grant proposals, coordinated a state-wide conversation on web-based student recruitment, and helped frame a service learning initiative. I’ve had the opportunity to observe up close the administrative programs of more than 100 private colleges and seminaries and to listen in on conversations among presidents, faculty, and board members about the challenges and opportunities confronting the institutions they serve. And I’ve been involved in attracting friends and funds to a wide variety of organizations, most of which are faith-based.
Along with my consulting practice, I keep busy as a researcher, writer, and presenter at workshops and conferences. In addition to numerous articles on academic governance and institutional advancement that carry my by-line, I am the co-author with Dr. Thomas Jeavons of the book, Growing Givers’ Hearts: Treating Fundraising as Ministry (Jossey-Bass Publishers, 2000). This topic has become a personal passion and a significant force in my work with clients. (Check out my resume for a longer listing of my writing, speaking and consulting activities.)
My work as a fundraiser and advocate for good governance may have just sort of happened, but I’ve never regretted the road I’ve taken. I can’t imagine anything more thrilling than the amazing and always interesting ministry God has given me.
If you share my commitment to fundraising and board work as ministry, I look forward to the possibility of talking with and/or working with you. Give me a call or contact me via e-mail. It’s always great to hear from a fellow traveler.
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