Ohio Prospect Research Network Established 1987 - Apra Ohio Chapter
4 Reasons to Invest in Leadership Development - Center for Creative Leadership
How the Best Managers Identify and Develop Talent - HBR
How MacKenzie Scott's $12 billion in Gifts to Charity Reflect an Uncommon Trust in the Groups She Supports - The Conversation
Dear Manager, You're Holding Too Many Meetings - HBR
Teddy Schleifer - Reporting on Big Money Philanthropy - Philanthropisms podcast
Kim Opp, Prospect Researcher, Ohio Northern University
How did you get into fundraising and/or prospect research?
After having a position at an online HS for over a decade, administration changed, and it was time to get a new job. I decided to fill out an application to my alma mater as a coordinator to the VP of Advancement. I was fortunate to receive an offer for the position and learned so much from our VP who was very knowledgeable and a great 'teacher' of advancement. From there, I moved into the Prospect Research position and have not looked back!
If you were so wealthy you didn’t need to work, what would you do with your time?
I would spend time with my grandchildren and work on my many hobbies.
When/where was your first Apra conference?
My first APRA conference was during COVID; therefore, it was virtual. It will be exciting this year as it will be live and I will, hopefully, be able to meet some of the people that I have talked to virtually.
Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list and why?
I would love to go to Montana (specifically Glacier National Park). My husband and I love to hike, fish, and enjoy nature.
Would you rather have a personal chef, personal housekeeper, or personal chauffeur?
Personal housekeeper - hands down. I find cleaning the house takes up too much of my time that I could be doing other things.
DAF Assumption Surprises - The Helen Brown Group
Why Nonprofit Leaders Should Be Involved in the Automation Discussion - BizTech Magazine
Women in Philanthropy - Apra Beyond Prospecting Podcast
Senators Issue Bipartisan Call for Restoring Tax Breaks for Donors Who Don't Itemize Their Returns - The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Isabelle Leighton, Interim Executive Director, Donors of Color Network: Shifting the Center of Gravity Toward Racial and Economic Justice - PND
Kate Oberle Krouse, Senior Research Specialist, Kent State University
As a student at Kent State, I applied to be a student caller just because I knew they were always hiring students. I ended up loving the job and then worked as a phone center manager for a few colleges as my first job out of college! I was introduced to prospect research while working with the advancement offices of the schools I worked and I knew that’s what I wanted to transition to. I love that I still get to have an impact in fundraising for the university but in a more behind the scenes way!
What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
The benefit of cats! I have two DSH tigers and they are amazing.
What are you reading now?
I love to read and am always reading more than one book a time! Currently, I am reading Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker which is a study of a family that had 6 children diagnosed with schizophrenia and I am listening to What Happened to You? by Oprah and Bruce Perry. I also just finished A Little Life by Hanya Yangihara which is VERY long and VERY sad but so gorgeously written and thought provoking.
How many hours do you get to the airport before a flight?
I am one of the weird people that actually like hanging out in airports so if I am traveling alone, I usually get to the airport 3 hours or more before I need to! When I travel with my husband, he makes me be a little more reasonable with my timing
Do you think iced coffee should only be consumed in the summer or all year round?
ALL YEAR ROUND! I will drink iced coffee even if its blizzarding outside!
Women Empowering Women: The Benefits of Mentorship - Apra Connections
Charitable Giving From Foundations in 2022 - First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School
Philanthropy Always Sounds Like Someone Else: A Portrait of High Net Worth Donors of Color - Donors of Color Network
What a Billionaire's Windowless Mega-Dorm Tells Us About the State of High Ed Fundraising - Inside Philanthropy
Donor Collaboratives Are A New Approach That Advances Equity and Efficiency - The Chronicle of Philanthropy
John Zajc, Prospect Researcher, Hospice of the Western Reserve
I got into prospect research because I was always intrigued by the work my wife, Catherine Smythe Zajc (2004 recipient of the Anne E. Mayer Distinguished Service Award) did. I’ve always enjoyed research incorporated the basics in my days running an Annual Fund. When Hospice of the Western Reserve advertised for a Prospect Researcher and I was hired, I joined “the family business.”
What was your first nonprofit job?
Clerical Assistant for the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).
Pittsburgh, 2018.
What's the best career advice you've ever received?
Not so much career advice, or advice at all, but a compliment from an executive recruiter who I know. He was impressed that I was quick to admit when I did not know something, and that I’d go look for the answer or point the person in the right direction – something he found in his experience to be hard for most people to do. Given that I’ve always been a “knowledge is power” kind of mindset, it actually surprised me that I had that growth as a person that early in my life.
What would be the first thing you'd do if you won the lottery?
Do a happy dance, then get a good attorney.
Addressing The Way We Use Data: Q&A With Apra Expanse Keynote Robert Wicks - Apra Connections
Regrets Are Inevitable. Start Learning From Them. - HBR IdeaCast
Dr. Russell James Reveals The Secret Behind Major Gift Growth - Psychology! - Prospect Research ChatBytes
The Future of Giving Through Smart Tech - Nonstop Nonprofit Podcast
Equipping Emerging Leaders for Success in a Virtual World - Talent Management
Creating Clusters for Strategic Segmentation - Apra Connections
How to Make Remote and Hybrid Brainstorming Less Awkward - Fast Company
What I Wish I'd Known - Apra Houston blog
You Need to Take A Break - If You Love Data, These 5 Podcasts Will Help - indicative
Sí, Se Puede: How Latinx Philanthropy is Changing America - DonorSearch Masterminds podcast
Sarah Richards, Coordinator of Prospect Research, Dynamic Catholic
What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you doing it?
When I was in High school, I knew I wanted to work at Dynamic Catholic (back then The Matthew Kelly Foundation). I applied for multiple positions when I graduated college but did not get any of them. A few months later, I received a call asking if I would be interested in a position in development. I quit my current job the next day, before even receiving an official offer, because I knew it was where I was supposed to be.
What’s your favorite thing about what you do or where you work?
The people. I work with some of the most amazing and supportive people. Many of my co-workers are some of my closest friends, including two who were bridesmaids in my wedding.
Pittsburg 2018 and I was honored to be able to present as well as meet Nathan Fay, author of Precision Prospect Development. :)
Would you rather have your dishes or clothes be magically clean?
Definitely dishes. I do not mind laundry, I do not mind loading, and emptying the dishwasher but I hate dishes that need washed in the sink like pots, pans and specialty items.
What skill would you like to master?
Salesforce. It is such a powerful tool. I am working on my admin certification, but that is honestly only the tip of the iceberg for SalesForce.
Reimaging Team Leadership and Individual Growth: Thriving in Our New-ish Normal - Apra Connections
DEI and Due Diligence: An Opportunity for Prospect Research to Lead - Apra Connections
Giving Jumped 9 Percent in 2021 - The Chronicle of Philanthropy
US Public Policy: Look Ahead for 2022 - sgENGAGE podcast
How to "Lead with And" as a Nonprofit Leader - Tim Arnold - Pursuant podcast
5 Podcasts for Leaders Looking to Build Inclusive Workplaces - Inc.
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