Same Language, Different Accents? Communication is Key! - The Helen Brown Group

DAF Spotlight: Complex Assets - National Philanthropic Trust

Donor Advised Funds Resources - DAFinitive

Giving USA 2022 Donor Advised Funds - DonorSearch

Fun Flax and Kernels of Truth: An Overview of Farmland for the Prospect Researcher - Apra Connections

Charitable Giving Increased in 2021 Despite Uncertainty - Candid

How Kenyon Raise $25M Using Smart Segmentation and Event Prospecting - RAISE Blog

What is gaming, esports, and streaming fundraising? - Donor Growth podcast

Calendar in Tableau - Rativiz

What Does the ACE Act Mean for DAF Donors? - DAFinitive

The Surprising Impact of Meeting Free Days - MIT Sloan Management Review

Tim Bucher, Director Philanthropic Services Division, BWF 

What piece of advice would you give to yourself at the beginning of your career? 

I have considered myself as a jack of all trades for most of my career which has its benefits. I would tell myself to own your jack of all trades moniker but carve out enough space to become an expert in a specific area.  

What's the best career advice you've ever received? 

Never bring your boss a dead possum without the shovel. OK, that may be a little morbid but it was memorable. BTW – he actually used “cat” but there are way too many cat lovers in the prospect research field, so I am taking the liberty to make that change. Apologies to possum lovers. 

What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation? 

Leveraging your CRM to automate moves management and donor journeys. 

What are you reading now? 

The Storyteller by Dave Grohl

What skill would you like to master? 

Golf

Jessica Quittenton, Director Prospect Management and Research, Bowling Green State University

How did you get into fundraising and/or prospect research?

I got into fundraising through my two-years of AmeriCorps service. I served with City Year Cleveland, an education nonprofit dedicated to helping students and schools succeed. I primarily tutored in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and at after school programs, but we also did a work with small community organizations. We often fundraised and looked for in-kind gifts to support our programs. It was a life changing experience for me and led me to first job as a membership and annual fund manager at an environmental nonprofit.

What’s your favorite thing about what you do or where you work?

My favorite thing about where I work is that it is at my alma mater. I started my new position at Bowling Green State University last month. After graduation I moved to the Cleveland area for 16 years. It’s so exciting to be back on campus and share everything I love about BG with my family.

What are you reading now?

From a professional standpoint, I just started reading David Lawson and Lori Hood Lawson’s Big Good: Philanthropy in the Age of Big Data. I am also reading the Bridgerton series. I just started book number five, Romancing Mister Bridgerton. I love historical fiction.

What song always gets you out on the dance floor?

No one could stop me from dancing if Shake Your Groove Thing by Peaches and Herb started playing.

Do you think iced coffee should only be consumed in the summer or all year round?

Only in the summer. However, to flip the question around, hot coffee can be consumed all year round. I don’t care if its 110 degrees outside I will have a hot coffee.

Qaya Thompson, Development Research Manager, The Cleveland Orchestra

What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you doing it?

When I was a child I always wanted to be a lawyer.  I would watch L.A. Law with my grandparents and I always loved to argue.  Even though I didn’t become a lawyer, my sister did!

Do you have any side hustles?

I work on the weekends as a Crisis Assistant at Counseling Center in Wooster, OH.  I like helping people and it is an opportunity to give back to the community.

When/where was your first Apra conference?

My first APRA Conference was Anaheim, CA in 2010.  It was really exciting to be in California for the 1^st time.  I still remember that the weather was PERFECT and I met some wonderful people.  It started my love for the conference and eventually I started doing presentations for them.

If you were so wealthy you didn’t need to work, what would you do with your time?

I would most likely still do what I do because I love it.  I would probably do it part-time or as a consultant so I had time to travel and relax.  I think work would be more fun if you can take the necessity out of it.

Would you rather have a personal chef, personal housekeeper, or personal chauffeur?

Personal Chauffeur definitely!  I absolutely hate driving with every fiber of my being and would probably go more places and do more things if I did not have to drive.

Sarah Starr Zechman, Associate Director, Advancement Systems and Research, Sierra Club

What was your first job?

I was a waitress at Ponderosa in high school. (Yikes, is that giving away my age?)

What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you doing it?

I wanted to be the person who trained Shamu and the dolphins at Sea World.  Needless to say, I am not not doing that (and am glad I am not, they belong in the wild!)

What piece of advice would you give to yourself at the beginning of your career?

Don't be afraid to ask questions.  It's not a sign of weakness, it's one of the best ways to learn.  Plus, it will help you become better personally and professionally.

Is pineapple an acceptable pizza topping?

Absolutely!  It's one of my favorites, can't beat pineapple and green peppers!

Would you rather have a personal chef, personal housekeeper, or personal chauffeur?

Without a doubt, housekeeper!!!!  I enjoy cooking, but hate doing the dishes.  I also enjoy driving, and since I work remotely, I rarely have to drive in rush hour traffic.

Charitable Giving is Resilient - Benefactor Group

Strengthening Partnerships with Faculty - Apra Connections

Who Runs the World: Women in Philanthropy - A Researcher's Diary

How to Find Out If a Company's Culture Is Right for You - HBR

Samantha Sullivan, Prospect Research Specialist, Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation

How did you get into fundraising and/or prospect research?

Partially by accident and partially because of my first job interview with my boss, Nickie Montesano. I have a Master’s in Art History but was having trouble finding a non-teaching job at a museum. I knew that I wanted to work at some sort of non-profit.  So in order to pay the bills, I started working at Akron Children’s as a receptionist on the clinical side. A couple years later, a receptionist position became available at the Foundation. During my interview, Nickie (my-soon-to-be boss) mentioned that I would probably really like prospect research and I should look into it. I had never heard of it before but I was intrigued. After I was hired, Nickie (and the other prospect researchers: Katy Berger and Jenn Ewing) took every opportunity to give me small projects to help me develop my researching skills. I am so lucky to have found this department and to work with such amazing people.

What piece of advice would you give to yourself at the beginning of your career?

Just get your foot in the door. I spent a long time thinking I had to immediately get the job I wanted at the place I wanted. Sometimes, you only need to get A job at the place you want. That proves to the organization you really want to work there and it gives them the opportunity to see first-hand how intelligent, hard-working and committed you really are.

What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?

I feel like I should say contemporary art since I have a degree in art history. But I would probably do a presentation on Harry Potter, Jane Austen or some random true crime story.

Would you rather have your dishes or clothes be magically clean?

Dishes. 100%. I have never had a dishwasher and washing the dishes is such a pain. At least, I can do other things while doing the laundry.

If you were so wealthy you didn’t need to work, what would you do with your time?

Travel. Travel. Travel.

Translating Results to English: How to Share Graphs and Charts - Staupell Analytics Group

Culture Building: Standards of Collaboration - Apra Connections

3 Women Share Lessons From Running Family Foundations - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Decisions Don't Have To Be Either-Or - HBR IdeaCast podcast

Reining in Philanthropic Megadonors: What the Data Tell Us Is Needed - Nonprofit Quarterly

What to Know About an IPO - The Helen Brown Group

Prospect Research: Breaking Free of Portfolios - iWave blog

Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively - Think Fast, Think Smart podcast

A Neuroscientist Recommends 5 Books to Help You Get Unstuck at Work - Inc.

LinkedIn's 20 Most Popular Courses in 2022 Are All Free to Take Right Now - CNBC.com