Ohio Prospect Research Network Established 1987 - Apra Ohio Chapter
Go Ask Jen: Factoring Rental Properties Into Gift/Capacity Ratings - Prospect Research Institute
Ask the Ethicist: Is a Photo Worth 1,000 Headaches? - Apra Connections
IP Explainer: What Is a Crowdfunding Platform? - Inside Philanthropy
3 Strategies for Dealing with Procrastination - HBR IdeaCast
Crypto Industry to Get Long Awaited Rules on Bitcoin Accounting - Bloomberg
Steal This Energizing Way to Shorten Meetings - Inc.
Candace Olley, Director, Prospect Development at the University of Cincinnati Foundation
●What was your first job?
I used to be an afterschool care aide/au pair for families in Memphis. Now I beg my coworkers and friends to let me babysit so I still get cute kid time and so they’ll teach me what’s hip and cool these days.
●What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you doing it?
I still don’t know what I want to be… is that a part of why we love PD work? Curiosity about all the things!
●What’s your favorite thing about what you do or where you work?
My team really is made of some of the best in the business! I love learning with and from them and “dreaming and scheming” every chance we get.
●When/where was your first Apra conference?
Circa 2015 in New Orleans! Still have the insta pics to prove it! Ha! Met some incredible colleagues who are still in PD making magic happen to this day.
●Is pineapple an acceptable pizza topping?
Oh 100%! I see Mike Ormiston looking to pair it with some other topping and I’d like to recommend pepperoni over ham.
Jen Nettles, Senior Prospect Development Manager, American Cancer Society, Inc.
What was your first job?
My first full time job was being a housekeeper for retired nuns. It was like going to work with 80 grandmothers every day! As my first job I also underappreciated the amazing benefits I had working there that I now look back on and think WOW!
What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you doing it?
I wanted to be a dentist. I am definitely not doing that but I am ok with that!
How did you get into fundraising and/or prospect research?
You mean everyone doesn’t grow up wanting to go into the prospect development field? I worked in the alumni/development office while getting my degree. Then I followed a co-worker to help with a screening project they had just done and instead took over the prospect research role.
What’s your favorite thing about what you do or where you work?
I love feeling like I am helping the greater cause of the organization. Having a co-worker go out of their way to thank you for helping them is priceless.
When/where was your first Apra conference?
Vegas! I thought it was a great idea to do the New Researcher’s Symposium for a few days followed by the full conference right after. Talk about information overload!
What are you reading now?
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
What skill would you like to master?
I would love to be well versed in Lean Six Sigma.
Who’s your go-to band or artist when you can’t decide on something to listen to?
I have no shame…my go to is for sure Celine Dion! Started at a young age and every once in a while I go back and just belt out the songs while driving alone (I pity anyone that actually has to hear me try to sing her songs).
Regina Alhassan, Owner, ResearchPRO
Lab Assistant for The Ohio State University Department of Animal Science assisting research studies on dairy cows. There was lots of lab work which aligned with my coursework and I absolutely loved it. There was also lots of field work, capturing bio samples live and in-person at dairy farms and the Select Sires bull farm. As a city girl, that was all very new to me and I didn’t enjoy the cow pastures so much. But, I have some great memories and amazing stories to tell!
Do you have any side hustles?
Does Motherhood count??
What piece of advice would you give to yourself at the beginning of your career?
Take the leap and believe that you can do anything you can imagine – and more.
I love working from the comfort of my home. And, I’ve invested in creating a workspace that suits my exact needs, wants, moods, and comforts. I enjoy that the remote nature of our work as prospect development professionals allows me to partner with organizations all over the United States. I’m able to select the causes, the missions, the leadership teams that I want to support. It’s so fulfilling and humbling to know that I’m contributing to real impact in an array of communities all over. That’s deeply satisfying.
What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
I could give a presentation on how to launch and grow your own prospect development business from just a dream to a profitable enterprise. I’d share insights I learned, challenges I encountered, pitfalls to avoid, and best practices to align with success. I’m passionate about showing my prospect development colleagues how to take control of their income and career trajectory.
A Wealthy Girl by Charisse Conanan Johnson, CFA
Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port
Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list and why?
In a few short weeks, my family is headed to a beach getaway in Virginia. The seven year old and I are literally counting the days and can hardly wait to spend a week with the ocean as our neighbor!
Graphing IRS Data: Contributions Among States - Staupell Analytics Group
Fundraising for a Recession: Stay the Course - The First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School
Using Checklists in Your Business - AIIP
15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management - Kevin Kruse
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey
Coping With Difficult People - Robert M. Bramson
Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High - Grenny, Patterson, McMillan, Switzler
The Power of a Positive No - William Ury
Seth Godin's Blog
Bitcoin and the Future of Fundraising - Anne Connelly and Jason Shim
Crypto Glossary - The Giving Block
Becoming Informed: Starting A DEI Book Club At Work - Apra Connections
Meeting Your Prospects in Private Equity (part 2 of 2) - Apra Connections
Water Cooler Chat Replay: How To Analyze IRS Data - Staupell Analytics Group
Crypto Philanthropy: Fundraising for the Next Generation - Los Angeles Business Journal
Legal Aspects of Fundraising - First Day Podcast from the Fundraising School
Find Joy in Any Job: How Do I Improve the Role I Have? - HBR IdeaCast
Meet Dave Smittle. He’s speaking at the 2022 Conference: Is It Time to Consider a New Advancement CRM System?
Dave Smittle, Senior Consultant, Strata Information Group
While working for Huntington, the desktop personal computer debuted. I was back on campus for homecoming and struck up a conversation with the university president telling him about my work and saying I was looking for a job in the area because the teaching market was too tight in central Ohio and we were about to be engaged; my future wife had a teaching job nearby. He called on Monday and said we need someone who knows something about “those” (desktop PCs—wow, I just really dated myself there…) So, I got the job and relocated to NW Ohio in 1987.
I still give this advice today—last week, even, while participating on an alumni panel discussion at my alma mater. Learn how to network and form meaningful relationships with others. Know who you can call for advice and assistance in various types of professional, as well as, life decisions. The relationships you form will serve you well for the rest of your life. Then, of course, be kind, welcome all and mentor those who ask for it. (I am a proud Anne E. Mayer Award past recipient.)
What's the best career advice you've ever received?
Learn when it’s time to move on.
I guess a side hustle is also my hobby, MG sports cars from the 1940’s and 50’s. Granted, it’s an illness—we have five.
Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand; a WWII story of survival, resilience and redemption.
Maybe someday I will learn to weld. However, if my soldering skills are any indication, it will be a challenge.
What would be the first thing you'd do if you won the lottery?
Pay down debt, share with our kids and probably buy more old cars (I hope my wife doesn’t read this…).
Meet Nichole Baker, one of our 2022 conference speakers!
Nichole Baker, Associate Director, Prospect Management & Portfolio Development, Kent State University
I worked a concession stand at Geauga Lake Amusement Park the summer I turned 14- miss that place!
Speak up- you are your own best advocate. Do not let anyone push you down or silence you. Things may not always go the way you want but you will never regret saying out loud what you would like to have happen and actively working towards it.
What was your first nonprofit job?
I parlayed a summer working as a conservation manager at a buffalo reserve in Colorado that was managed by the Nature Conservancy into a full-time position with the San Francisco office of the organization…and my career in philanthropy was born!
I went to the New Orleans conference in 2015 while I was 5 months pregnant with twins! It was hot as heck, and I was as big as a house, but it was all worth it for those beignets.
If you were so wealthy you didn’t need to work, what would you do with your time?
I would travel. I was very fortunate to explore quite a bit before I became a mom, seeing parts of Africa, Europe and South America, but there are still so many places on my bucket list!
Tonia P. Ferrell, Ph.D. – Director, Prospect Development and Campaigns for The University of Akron
I had been a market analyst and corporate researcher for a number of years before deciding I needed a career change. I went back to school and got a master’s in higher education. During my job search, I came across prospect research positions at a few universities. After looking into what prospect research was all about and seeing that I had all those skills AND a love of higher ed, I applied and ended up where I am now with UA and have been here for 14 years. I never thought I would be a part of the team that asks for donations, but I love the process and the impact we can make in the lives of students and the overall institution.
What do you listen to on your commute?
I listen to Sirius radio. I bounce around several different channels, but mostly stay on comedy stations. I’ve found that laughing on my commute helps me prepare for the day or decompress after. If I am not in the mood to listen to jokes, I listen to music that I can sing along with and hold a 30-minute solo concert in my car while I drive home. Some days it is better than therapy!
Never say no to anyone looking to talk to you about an opportunity. It never hurts to talk with them and find out more. You can always say no later if the fit is not there for you or them.
Sister Hazel. Their music can calm me or lift me up, and there always seems to be a song that is right for those times I am undecided.
Would you rather have a personal chef, personal housekeeper, or personal chauffeur?
Can I have all 3? If I can only pick one, it would be a personal chef. I don’t enjoy meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking. Having someone prepare a healthy, well portioned meal and have grab and go snacks at the ready for me (and do all the dishes), would be amazing!
Prospect Researchers: Actionable Steps to Support DEI in Your Work - Apra Connections
Salary and Compensation Links - Helen Brown Group
How to Avoid Death by PowerPoint by Differentiating Between Slidedocs and Slidedecks - Depict Data Studio
Dear Manager, You're Holding Too Many Meetings - HBR
Setting Yourself (and Your Candidates) Up for Success in the Hiring Process - sgENGAGE podcast
Consumers Care More About How Companies Donate Than How Much - Harvard Business School
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