I’ve worked for and with nonprofits since my career began. I started with the Illinois State Senate, learning about education and social justice issues and how nonprofits and legislators worked together (or didn’t) to improve things in our communities. In 1995, I took a chance on an unknown local official running for mayor in Stamford, Connecticut. When he won, I went to work for him; later, I volunteered to make sure he became our governor. While working with Dan Malloy, I learned a lot about nonprofits, young people, and education. It was working for him that I met the great people of Domus, a Stamford nonprofit where I would work from 1999 to 2016.

What I’ve learned:

I know about effective communications practices. It’s like talking to your spouse/partner: Be concise. Use humor when it makes sense. Communicate in a way that reflects the vibe (yes, I said it) of your organization. (Wait, not that last one.) My client emails get excellent open and click-through rates: Readers trust that these emails won’t be three fundraising asks and two lines of program info. They know they’ll be informed without scrolling for a full day. I started using computers in my teens and haven’t looked back: I can teach myself any app (and even a few programming languages)… if I don’t know it, I can learn it.

I know about strong fundraising practices. At the suggestion of our largest private funder, I was appointed the first development officer at Domus back in 2001 after working for there for two years writing grants and managing the creation of the organization’s first school. That funder also paid for me to be coached by a savvy, experienced development professional. I created and led a fundraising team, then co-led our team after my 2008 France sabbatical. Annual private fundraising went from $0 in 1999 to $6M+ in 2016.

I know about healthy organizational cultures: what’s good for teams, how to deliver the type of coaching each employee needs so she can excel, and what leadership training will help you build the skills you and your team need to increase your cohesiveness and effectiveness. I’ve been in workplaces with healthy cultures and unhealthy ones. I can tell you what you need to do to get better, and I can help you do it.

I know about first-rate leadership practices. I was on Domus’ senior leadership team since its inception, and I’ve been fortunate enough to be in a leadership role in all my positions. I attribute that to being a good listener, being empathetic, being willing to disagree with people, giving people the benefit of the doubt, and possessing experiences and a background different from many others, which means I look at things in a different way. I also know what bad leadership looks like and have seen what it does to individuals and teams. I’ve seen poor leaders get better with coaching and support, and I’ve seen others who refuse to examine their practices and end up driving away committed, talented team members.

The bottom line: Am I any good?

I was fortunate to receive the award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional at the 2016 Connecticut AFP National Philanthropy Day. The AFP Outstanding Fundraising Professional honors an outstanding individual fundraising professional who works full-time for a nonprofit, charitable organization and practices his/her profession in an exemplary manner.

2016 Connecticut AFP National Philanthropy Day “Best of the State” Awards: “The AFP Connecticut and Fairfield County Chapters honored those who have helped change lives in our community through their fundraising and philanthropic efforts at the “Best of the State” Connecticut Philanthropy Awards Breakfast at the Trumbull Marriott Merritt Parkway in Trumbull, CT on November 4, 2016.” Five state-wide awards were given for fundraising excellence at this event, hosted by two chapters (CT Statewide Chapter and Fairfield County, CT Chapter) of the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP).