From Accidental to Intentional: Finding Purpose in the Path You Didn’t Plan
Birgit Smith Burton

Many fundraisers never set out to make this their career, but somewhere between the first “ask” and the lives they’ve changed, they discovered purpose. In this heartfelt and humorous session, Birgit Smith Burton shares her own unexpected journey into fundraising and how she transformed what began by chance into a calling that has shaped her life, leadership, and legacy.

You will leave reconnected to your “why,” and equipped to lead with authenticity, courage, and intention.

Learning Outcomes: 

1. Recognize the power in your story, even if your path into fundraising wasn’t planned
2. Learn how to transform uncertainty into purpose-driven leadership
3. Reclaim your sense of joy and belonging in the work of philanthropy

Remember that webinars are FREE to ALL ACF members, and we just need you to RSVP. Webinars are $75 for nonmembers. Not a member? Attend your first webinar free to experience ACF! Register now.

Birgit Smith Burton is the CEO of AADO, the African American Development Officers Network, which she founded at Georgia Tech in 1999 to provide support for fundraisers of color. She has authored several articles and co-authored "The Philanthropic Covenant with Black America" and "Collecting Courage," which shares the experiences of Black professionals in the nonprofit sector.

Over her 26-year career at Georgia Tech, Birgit led efforts that raised over $750M for programs, scholarships, and capital projects. She was also part of the first cohort of Leading Women @ Tech and received the Outstanding Achievement in Research Program Development award for the Marcus Center for Therapeutic Cell Characterization and Manufacturing.

Birgit has served on the global board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) for over a decade, recently concluding her tenure as Chair of the AFP Global Board. She received the Opportunity and Inclusion Award from CASE for her leadership in diversity within fundraising. The R.I.S.E. Fund was created in her honor to support women of color in fundraising.

Recipient of the Be Haas Lifetime Achievement Award, Birgit also serves on various advisory boards, including Somos El Poder and Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in media communications from Medaille University.