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| Position Responsibilities: |
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To serve non profit clients with comprehensive advancement consulting services. |
| Organization’s purpose: |
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To help institutions achieve their highest destiny by clarifying their mission, communicating their vision and plans, and taking steps to gather the necessary recources. |
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My first job in this profession at the LCMS Department of Stewardship that gave me a development foundation based in Biblical stewardship principles.
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Serving as president of ALDE and as a founding board member of CFRE International
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Launching major gift initiatives and campaigns at Concordia University at Irvine and River Forest that resulted in transformational changes as both institutions.
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Mentoring newcomers to the profession
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Joining one of the finest consulting firms in the nation where I am able to apply a holistic approach to the advancement process. |
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| How many years have you been a development professional? |
| Twenty one years. |
| What led you to being a development professional? |
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It was…a call. Literally. A phone call out of the blue from Dick Engdahl, then Executive Director of the LCMS Department of Stewardship, who invited me (as a recent college graduate) to serve the Church in stewardship education. A real leap of faith on his part. |
| How does your faith guide you in your work? |
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Whether working with Church-related or secular clients, Christian principles are inculcated in my philosophy and application of advancement principles. I am given an opportunity to witness every day in a variety of ways. |
| What has been the biggest challenge for you as a development professional? |
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That’s easy. Finding balance in my life. To be effective, development professionals have to be passionate about their organization. That often means long hours, interrupted vacations, and no weekends. That can take a toll on faith and family obligations. |
| What excites you about your position? |
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I am truly passionate about the clients I serve; their mission, vision and goals…and how I can apply my experience to helping them achieve their objectives. |
| What is a favorite book you have read recently and why? |
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Execution, by Bossidy and Charan. I appreciate their focus on linking people, strategy and operations to achieving intellectual honesty and realism in any organization. Also, their belief that the leader has to do more than create a vision and let others do the work…but must actively lead these core processes in order to achieve organizational success. |
| What three things do you like to do besides working? |
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I love to spend time with my family, run long distance with my dogs, and sing. |
| What is the most essential quality of a good development professional? |
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An abiding, unquenchable passion to help people of all types and means discover and embrace the joy of giving. |
| Who has been a mentor for you and why? |
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I’ve had several over the years. My first was Dick Engdahl for his humble demeanor, servant leadership style, and profound wisdom; Dr. Ray Halm, Past President of Concordia University at Irvine for his intellectual discipline and unwavering belief in the mission of the Church; Doug Mason (Gonser Gerber Tinker Stuhr) for his commitment to excellence, strong work ethic, and commitment to his clients; and my doctoral advisor, Patricia Somers now at the University of Texas, for her love of teaching and research. |
| What advice would you give to someone considering this profession? |
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Find your call with an organization whose values match yours; connect with a mentor whom you respect and admire and glean whatever you can; and embrace the notion that development professionals are in the business of helping people find joy in their giving. |
| How many years have you been a member of ALDE? |
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16 years. |
| Describe an ALDE experience that has been particularly noteworthy, fun, uplifting, educational, etc. |
| Accepting the President’s Award from Brenda Peterson-Moore for volunteer service to ALDE. Imagine being awarded for doing something you love! A humbling and exhilarating moment. |