OPRN 2026 Annual Conference
The Evolution of Prospect Development - How We Got Here and What Lies Ahead For Us
Exploring how our work has evolved and how we will help shape what comes next
Whether you intentionally chose a career in prospect development or simply “fell into it” (as so many of us proudly did), you joined a profession that has quietly — and sometimes not-so-quietly — helped to transform fundraising. As philanthropy grows more complex, the need for strategic, ethical, data-informed decision-making continues to rise — and that is precisely where prospect development professionals shine.
In this engaging keynote, Ruthie looks back on where our field began, sharing honest and at times humorous insights about how far we’ve come and what our next chapter may hold. She explores how expectations of our role have expanded over time, and why our expertise is more essential than ever.
You will leave feeling confident in your expertise and strategic value and proud of your chosen professional path. Most importantly, you will walk away energized about the future of our profession — not just as observers of change, but as the architects shaping what comes next - with perhaps a renewed appreciation for how far we’ve come since the days when “cutting edge” meant the launch of a new spreadsheet feature.
|
Keynote Speaker: Ruthie Giles
A renowned thought leader in the field of prospect management, Ruthie Giles has worked in prospect development since 2000. She is the author of Prospect Management: The Essential Guide for a High Functioning Nonprofit Prospect Management System (2025). Ruthie is the Partner for Prospect Development with Staupell Analytics Group and she is also the Director of Advancement Operations with Springfield Technical Community College. Ruthie has held positions with University of New Hampshire, Westfield State University, Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College, Harold Grinspoon Foundation, The Loomis Chaffee School, and the Williston Northampton School. She is a former NEDRA Board member and a current NEDRA Committee Volunteer for NEDRA’s 3-5 Learning Network. Originally from coastal Maine, Ruthie resides in western Massachusetts with her husband, their sweet lazy dog, and their five neurotic cats. |
Questions? Contact conference@oprn.org