Leslie joined the AFP Northeast Wisconsin Chapter Board of Directors in 2020 as our secretary. Welcome, Leslie! She also was honored as our chapter's 2020 Chamberlain Scholar and was able to attend this year's virtual AFP International Conference on scholarship. To show appreciation for the opportunity, Leslie has shared some of her notes with all of us. Feel free to reach out if you would like more information on any of the sessions she attended.
As a new board member, Leslie answered a few questions for us all to get to know her a little bit better.
How long have you been in fundraising?
I have been involved in philanthropy for as long as I can remember. My dad led quite a few capital campaigns in my hometown and I was always heavily involved in his work. I also served on our local Youth Advisory Council in high school, which consisted of a committee of high school students who allocated funds to local nonprofits. Professionally, I have been a Fund Development Manager at Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes since October 2016.
When did you join AFP?
I started attending programs in 2017 and became a member in March 2018.
Have you ever worked in another field?
I started out my professional career as a Dedicated Customer Care Specialist at HumanaDental and moved on to be an Undergraduate Communications Instructor at Iowa State University while I finished my Master’s Degree.
What superhero skill/trait would you pick?
I would love to read minds – wouldn’t mind reading be so helpful while making a case to a new donor?
What’s the best vacation you’ve ever taken?
There is nothing better than a week in Playa del Carmen, Mexico!
What are you most passionate about?
1) I am completely dedicated to women’s rights and ensuring that all girls have leadership opportunities beginning at a young age.
2) I am also very passionate about literacy and ensuring that everybody has access to print media.
Share two truths and a lie about yourself
I read 57 novels in 2019.
I think dragons are the coolest thing ever.
I love zucchini!
The lie is that I love zucchini.
What book, blog, or podcast do you always recommend to others?
As an avid reader, this is a VERY hard question to answer. I’d always recommend Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (for those who enjoy a really great fictional story). I am the person to hit up if you are into fantasy books (Sarah J Maas is my all-time favorite fantasy author)!
What is something that may surprise people to know about you?
I am an avid reader, a guinea pig enthusiast, and a cat mom.