Ohio Prospect Research Network Established 1987 - Apra Ohio Chapter
Anne White, Senior Prospect Research, University Hospitals
What's the best career advice you've ever received?
I’ve got two:
If you could complete one work-related task with a wave of your hand, what task would you choose?
Entering data into database.
What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
How to do a meaningful and strategic profile.
How do you approach traveling on vacation? Do you make an itinerary or just explore?
Hybrid. I try to have a few key destinations but don’t like to let the spontaneity of the trip be spoiled with too long of a checklist.
What are you reading now?
Just finished reading both Spare by Prince Harry and Palace Papers by Tina Brown.
Who’s your go-to band or artist when you can’t decide on something to listen to?
Hall and Oates (child of the 70’s!).
Are you an early bird or night owl?
Night owl.
Betsy Schmidt-Gullett, Executive Director of Prospect Development, University of Cincinnati Foundation
What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you doing it?
I wanted to be an artist… singing, acting, dancing, painting, writing poetry… all the things! Sadly, I have no performing arts talents. I still occasionally write, but only for myself to “find the truth” as Madeleine L’Engle used to say.
If you were so wealthy you didn’t need to work, what would you do with your time?
The obvious answer: spend more time with my kiddos and travel! Honestly, I have always thought that if I didn’t have to work I would still work in some capacity – part-time or as a volunteer, but would feel the need to do something to help others.
The Scholomance Series by Naomi Novik – Just finished this series and LOVED it! If you enjoyed Hunger Games, the Divergent trilogy or Harry Potter, I highly recommend this series! Literally read the first two books over a weekend.
What’s a random fact you recently learned?
An octopus has nine brains! My boys told me this and I couldn’t believe that it was true… but it is… these kids are fascinating.
Favorite way to reenergize during the day?
Take a walk – move around – dance in the kitchen. My brain starts working better after I start moving my body. Love to have walking meetings!
Jennifer Ewing, Senior Prospect Research Specialist, Akron Children’s Hospital
Volunteer at my daughter’s school and with at-risk youth.
What childhood rule was most difficult for you to follow?
No talking in class.
Make sure you enjoy what you do.
When/where was your first Apra conference?
2019 Scottsdale, AZ
Dave Matthews Band
General Notes:
Metrics/Tracking:
Identification of individual names:
How are names presented/shared with gift officers:
Corporate/foundation prospecting:
Ask The Ethicist: How Can I Brush Up on Ethics in the New Year? - Apra Connections
How To Express More Gratitude at Work & Why Gratitude in Leadership Is Important - Center for Creative Leadership
Inflation Won't Affect Most People's Giving at Year End - and Some Will Give More - The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Key Performance Indicators - The Helen Brown Group
Bill Robbins, Research Consultant, The Ohio State University Foundation
How did you get into fundraising and/or prospect research?
Completely by happenstance! The Director of Advancement Services at the university where I was working approached me about the prospect research opening in her office. I had never worked in advancement and had only a vague idea of what prospect research was, but I was ready for a new challenge. Over two decades later, I’m still working in prospect development!
Travel...and ensure that I never, ever, ever saw snow again.
What is your favorite board game?
I don’t have a favorite board game, but I really enjoy building jigsaw puzzles!
If you were offered a round trip to the moon, would you take it?
Do I get to travel aboard the Millennium Falcon?
Washington, D.C. in 2002.
MacKenzie Scott's Lessons on Giving with Phil and Grace - The Giving Done Right podcast
How to Express More Gratitude at Work & Why Gratitude in Leadership Is Important - Center for Creative Leadership
Data Privacy From An International Perspective - Apra's beyond prospecting podcast
Fraud for Good - Lucy Bernholz
George Tabet, Corporate Research Analyst, MIT
Like many, I kinda just fell into it. After I got my degree, I didn’t want to immediately jump into a 9-5 office job so I took a gap year and volunteered for AmeriCorps. Getting that experience in nonprofit inspired me to look for similar opportunities. I found one in event management for a public organization setting up and tearing down events. It was a good job but not what I was looking for. Eventually, I came across a prospect research position. It was a newly established role and an opportunity to build out a prospect development office from the ground up. I applied and got it and ever since I’ve stayed in prospect development within higher education.
For pleasure, The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy. For work, The Book of Crypto by Henri Arslanian
What piece of advice would you give to yourself at the beginning of your career?
To share advice that a mentor once gave me; no one ever goes broke betting on themselves.
Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list and why?
Singapore! I studied there in college and had planned a trip to go back and see former classmates and coworkers but the pandemic put that on hold.
Is pineapple an acceptable pizza topping?
If you enjoy it yes. For me? No. Never. Absolutely not.
Donna Wolf, Senior Associate Director, Prospect Development, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
In the mid-1990s I was attending OSU to get my master’s degree and saw an ad in the campus newspaper for a student job in the Prospect Research office. The duties of the job including reading local newspapers and business journals to collect articles on the alumni and donors. Eventually a full-time prospect research position became available, so I took it and never left!
I research a lot of details before arriving. I like to go to new places so don’t want to miss a thing while I am there!
Operate a beagle rescue organization
What skill would you like to master?
Playing a musical instrument like the piano or mandolin
Would you rather have a personal chef, personal housekeeper, or personal chauffeur?
Hands down a personal housekeeper. I have a husband who loves to cook and drive but never cleans!
Insatiable Curiosity and Big Questions: Philosophers as Philanthropy Researchers - Apra Connections
Tapping Your Talents: Millennials in Philanthropy - Understanding the Millennial Mindset - AFP
4 Ways to Make Donor-Advised Funds Simpler and Fairer - The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Your Emoji Style Is Making You Look Bad to Your Younger Team Members - Inc.
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