Uncommon Connections: A Preview of Thom Singer's PD Keynote Presentation - Apra Connections

Water Cooler Chat Replay: How to Analyze IRS Data - The Staupell Group

Releasing the Potential of Philanthropic Collaborations - The Bridgespan Group

R Basics - Everything You Need to Know to Get Started with R - Towards Data Science

Juliana Saneholtz, Prospect Research Analyst, Northern Kentucky University

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

I majored in music (viola performance) in undergrad. I was planning on being a professional orchestral musician, but soon realized that wasn’t for me. I also worked in the admissions office as a student worker and really enjoyed it. After graduation, I was trying to figure out where I would go from there and based on my interests, I figured working for either an arts organization or a university would be a good fit. Turns out, 2007 wasn’t a great time to be looking for a job, so I took a temp job working at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) as a department assistant for the biochemistry department. I was eventually hired as a full time employee which opened a lot of doors to employment opportunities at CWRU. I was able to land a job working in the development office for the College of Arts and Sciences which happened to coincide with starting the Master’s of Non-profit Organizations program there. It was an incredible experience being able to directly apply what I was learning to my work. The rest, as they say, is history.

What do you listen to on your commute? 

Almost exclusively NPR. It’s one of the only ways I can absorb the news without wanting to tear my hair out.

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

Dishes. Hands down. It’s like they are never ending.

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

Grow an incredible native plant garden and vegetables/herbs, join a rowing club, go on long bike rides, take my daughter all over the country to see/ride on old trains, pick up the viola and piano again and maybe join a community orchestra or chamber group, volunteer for some of the local parks and environmental organizations, become active with the local arts center and work on a bunch of community art projects

What’s a random fact you recently learned? 

Frogs shed their skin and then eat it. (Thanks, Ranger Rick!)

Credit Cards, and Now Crypto: One School's Path to Accepting Gifts of Cryptocurrency - Apra Connections

Real Donations in Virtual Currencies: Bitcoin and Beyond - Skystone Partners

Donor Data Matters: How to Rock Your Next CRM Implementation at Your Organization with Chris Campbell - We are for Good podcast

Reflecting on Narrative and Data - The Helen Brown Group

Navigating the Form 990 to Find Funding - Candid

7 Tricky Work Situations, and How to Respond to Them - HBR

Go Ask Jen: Factoring Rental Properties Into Gift/Capacity Ratings - Prospect Research Institute

Ask the Ethicist: Is a Photo Worth 1,000 Headaches? - Apra Connections

IP Explainer: What Is a Crowdfunding Platform? - Inside Philanthropy

3 Strategies for Dealing with Procrastination - HBR IdeaCast

Crypto Industry to Get Long Awaited Rules on Bitcoin Accounting - Bloomberg

Steal This Energizing Way to Shorten Meetings - Inc.

Candace Olley, Director, Prospect Development at the University of Cincinnati Foundation

●What was your first job?

I used to be an afterschool care aide/au pair for families in Memphis. Now I beg my coworkers and friends to let me babysit so I still get cute kid time and so they’ll teach me what’s hip and cool these days.

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

I still don’t know what I want to be… is that a part of why we love PD work? Curiosity about all the things! 

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

My team really is made of some of the best in the business! I love learning with and from them and “dreaming and scheming” every chance we get.

●When/where was your first Apra conference?

Circa 2015 in New Orleans! Still have the insta pics to prove it! Ha! Met some incredible colleagues who are still in PD making magic happen to this day.

●Is pineapple an acceptable pizza topping?

Oh 100%! I see Mike Ormiston looking to pair it with some other topping and I’d like to recommend pepperoni over ham. 

Jen Nettles, Senior Prospect Development Manager, American Cancer Society, Inc.

What was your first job?

My first full time job was being a housekeeper for retired nuns. It was like going to work with 80 grandmothers every day! As my first job I also underappreciated the amazing benefits I had working there that I now look back on and think WOW!

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

I wanted to be a dentist. I am definitely not doing that but I am ok with that!

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

You mean everyone doesn’t grow up wanting to go into the prospect development field? I worked in the alumni/development office while getting my degree. Then I followed a co-worker to help with a screening project they had just done and instead took over the prospect research role.

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

I love feeling like I am helping the greater cause of the organization. Having a co-worker go out of their way to thank you for helping them is priceless.

When/where was your first Apra conference?

Vegas! I thought it was a great idea to do the New Researcher’s Symposium for a few days followed by the full conference right after. Talk about information overload!

What are you reading now?

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

What skill would you like to master?

I would love to be well versed in Lean Six Sigma.

Who’s your go-to band or artist when you can’t decide on something to listen to?

I have no shame…my go to is for sure Celine Dion! Started at a young age and every once in a while I go back and just belt out the songs while driving alone (I pity anyone that actually has to hear me try to sing her songs).

Regina Alhassan, Owner, ResearchPRO

What was your first job?           

Lab Assistant for The Ohio State University Department of Animal Science assisting research studies on dairy cows. There was lots of lab work which aligned with my coursework and I absolutely loved it. There was also lots of field work, capturing bio samples live and in-person at dairy farms and the Select Sires bull farm. As a city girl, that was all very new to me and I didn’t enjoy the cow pastures so much. But, I have some great memories and amazing stories to tell! 

Do you have any side hustles?

Does Motherhood count??

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

Take the leap and believe that you can do anything you can imagine – and more.

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

I love working from the comfort of my home. And, I’ve invested in creating a workspace that suits my exact needs, wants, moods, and comforts. I enjoy that the remote nature of our work as prospect development professionals allows me to partner with organizations all over the United States. I’m able to select the causes, the missions, the leadership teams that I want to support. It’s so fulfilling and humbling to know that I’m contributing to real impact in an array of communities all over. That’s deeply satisfying.

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

I could give a presentation on how to launch and grow your own prospect development business from just a dream to a profitable enterprise. I’d share insights I learned, challenges I encountered, pitfalls to avoid, and best practices to align with success. I’m passionate about showing my prospect development colleagues how to take control of their income and career trajectory.         

What are you reading now?

A Wealthy Girl by Charisse Conanan Johnson, CFA

Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port

Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list and why?

In a few short weeks, my family is headed to a beach getaway in Virginia. The seven year old and I are literally counting the days and can hardly wait to spend a week with the ocean as our neighbor!

Graphing IRS Data: Contributions Among States - Staupell Analytics Group

Fundraising for a Recession: Stay the Course - The First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School

Using Checklists in Your Business - AIIP

15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management - Kevin Kruse

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey

Coping With Difficult People - Robert M. Bramson

Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High - Grenny, Patterson, McMillan, Switzler

The Power of a Positive No - William Ury

Seth Godin's Blog

Bitcoin and the Future of Fundraising - Anne Connelly and Jason Shim

Crypto Glossary - The Giving Block

Becoming Informed: Starting A DEI Book Club At Work - Apra Connections

Meeting Your Prospects in Private Equity (part 2 of 2) - Apra Connections

Water Cooler Chat Replay: How To Analyze IRS Data - Staupell Analytics Group

Crypto Philanthropy: Fundraising for the Next Generation - Los Angeles Business Journal

Legal Aspects of Fundraising - First Day Podcast from the Fundraising School

Find Joy in Any Job: How Do I Improve the Role I Have? - HBR IdeaCast

Meet Dave Smittle. He’s speaking at the 2022 Conference: Is It Time to Consider a New Advancement CRM System?

Dave Smittle, Senior Consultant, Strata Information Group

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

While working for Huntington, the desktop personal computer debuted. I was back on campus for homecoming and struck up a conversation with the university president telling him about my work and saying I was looking for a job in the area because the teaching market was too tight in central Ohio and we were about to be engaged; my future wife had a teaching job nearby. He called on Monday and said we need someone who knows something about “those” (desktop PCs—wow, I just really dated myself there…) So, I got the job and relocated to NW Ohio in 1987.

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

I still give this advice today—last week, even, while participating on an alumni panel discussion at my alma mater. Learn how to network and form meaningful relationships with others. Know who you can call for advice and assistance in various types of professional, as well as, life decisions. The relationships you form will serve you well for the rest of your life. Then, of course, be kind, welcome all and mentor those who ask for it. (I am a proud Anne E. Mayer Award past recipient.)

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

Learn when it’s time to move on.

Do you have any side hustles?

I guess a side hustle is also my hobby, MG sports cars from the 1940’s and 50’s. Granted, it’s an illness—we have five.

What are you reading now?

Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand; a WWII story of survival, resilience and redemption.

What skill would you like to master?

Maybe someday I will learn to weld. However, if my soldering skills are any indication, it will be a challenge.

What would be the first thing you'd do if you won the lottery?

Pay down debt, share with our kids and probably buy more old cars (I hope my wife doesn’t read this…).