Return to schedule

Session 2A

Strategic Partnerships That Drive Engagement

Dana Lackore, Marla Habert, Jay Blankenship

Wednesday, September 22
11:45 – 12:45 AM (PT) | 2:45 – 3:45 PM (ET)

About the Session


As donor relations and stewardship professionals, we know that when we are given an opportunity to get to know the donor and take a proactive approach to helping the gift officer and leadership team in their work, that fundraising becomes donor centered. We can create an experience for our donors that keeps them engaged, which in turn keeps them giving. This session will discuss the ways in which our donor relations team has developed foundational relationships with gift officers, executive leadership, partner institutions, and research and clinical faculty to transform the experience our donors receive, directly connecting them to the impact they are having. We will also provide helpful planning tools.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn...

  1. How stewardship is thoughtfully conceived and implemented in a way that impacts our relationships with donors
  2. How relationships within our organization (with MGOs, leadership, faculty, staff) are foundational to the success of a stewardship program
  3. How a strong partnership between Donor Relations / Stewardship professionals and Major Gifts professionals can make a major gifts program more effective

Keywords: Donor Experience, Foundational Elements of Donor Relations, Individualized Stewardship Plans, Major Donors, Relationship-Building

Track: Foundational

Who Should Attend?
   



 
  Healthcare Suitable for any size shop Suitable for all levels  
 
About the Speakers

Dana Lackore PhotoDana Lackore
Donor Relations and Communications Project Coordinator
Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin

Since March 2015, Dana has been part of the engagement team, with a primary focus on stewardship of major and principal gift donors. Over the past six years, she has helped enhance and grow the team, identifying tools needed for better collaboration and partnership building. She also managed the public launch and culmination (celebration) of their first ever comprehensive campaign ($300M), drafted a naming rights policy. Dana spends much of her time developing partnerships at all levels so stewardship can play a bigger role in deepening relationships with donors.

Marla Habert PhotoMarla Habert
Senior Director of Development
Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin

Beginning in May 2018, Marla has been responsible for principal development efforts with a focus on advancing cancer research and care through philanthropy. She was instrumental in securing one of the largest philanthropic gifts for the institutions - $25 million to advance pediatric cancer research and care from the MACC Fund. She serves as a key leader for the overall fundraising enterprise helping to enable Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin to continue its trajectory of excellence across missions. Marla has significant experience in academic medicine and higher education philanthropy, most recently serving as senior assistant director at Harvard Business School and assistant director of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate in Boston, Massachusetts. A Milwaukee native, Marla earned her bachelor’s degree in English in 2009 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Jay Blankenship
Director of Development
Children's Wisconsin Foundation

Jay Blankenship is currently the Director of Development for the Children’s Wisconsin Foundation. He is responsible for raising funds to support the MACC Fund Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders and the Children’s Research Institute. Prior to Children’s, Jay served as a Philanthropy Officer at Aurora Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee. Although his undergraduate degree is in Wildlife Biology, he received a Masters Degree in social work administration and was the former Executive Director of COA Youth & Family Centers and the Humane Animal Welfare Society in Waukesha. He is also an adjunct instructor at the UW Milwaukee’s Social Work Department and School of Continuing Education.