What are the primary activities of your role? How do you engage with your University Relations and Development colleagues?
Director of Prospect Management. My primary activity is developing and overseeing a strategic system for identifying, evaluating, prioritizing and managing prospective donors to maximize philanthropic support for the university. My staff and I primarily engage our colleagues through regular meetings where we review portfolio and philanthropic pipeline health.
How long have you worked at the university? How long have you been in your current role?
I have worked at CWRU for 26.5 years. I have been in my current role (more or less!) for about 20 years.
What do you like most about your job, specifically?
My favorite job aspect is the face-time with the fundraising team. I really love digging deeply into strategy development. I am also a total data nerd and love to see big picture numbers that point to our success.
What is your favorite personal success story in your position?
I heard a graduating medical student say that if it weren't for her scholarship she would still be working in her hometown Walmart in West Virginia. That brought home to me the impact of the work that I participate in. That, combined with my travels to developing countries where even basic education is often widely unavailable, give me a constant sense of privilege and success. No one story seems to encompass that feeling.
What do you like most about working at Case Western Reserve University, in general?
I like most working with high quality colleagues in an intellectual environment where there is multi-disciplinary intersection. There is always an interesting program that needs fundraising support.
What advice would you give to a new member of our University Relations and Development team?
Don't be afraid to ask questions. The environment is complex so give yourself time to learn. There are mentors out there if you seek them out. You won't be left hanging if you ask for help. We're all great people!