Meet the Board

We always like to start off the year with a little Apra Carolinas Board Q&A. This year is a mixture of new and returning faces who are all dedicated to providing professional development and networking opportunities to our members in the Carolinas (and beyond)!

Engaging our community, providing resources, being a source of inspiration and finding meaningful purpose are a few shared sentiments among our board members about their interest in leading the chapter and continuing their prospect development careers - which of these resonates with you?

Rachael Walker

Prospect Analyst, Cornell University

President

How many years have you worked in fundraising/prospect development?

14

What inspired you to join the Apra Carolinas board?

I was asked by a previous education chair to join the then-extant education committee! I had a grand old time, then moved up to NC Regional Rep. My natural bossiness (sorry, I meant “organizational skills”) was well-suited to being Education Chair and now I’ll get to really flex those muscles as President.

What do you like most about working in prospect development?

The community. Absolutely my favorite thing about this field is the willingness my fellow professionals have to share what they’ve learned with each other. I try to pay it forward all the time – which is why Education Chair was such a great place for me for so long!

What's your favorite snack? 

It’s unfair to make me choose just one. I would say probably Trader Joe’s seasonal key lime kettle corn. I stock up every summer and try to make it last, but I never can.

Emily Glesias

Foundation Operations Manager, Novant Health Foundation

President-Elect & Communications Chair

How many years have you worked in fundraising/prospect development?

This year will be 8 in fundraising operations, almost 6 with a focus on prospect development.

What inspired you to join the Apra Carolinas board?

The community and brain power behind this stellar group of professionals is really what inspired me to joining the board! The opportunity to network with peers, have a sounding board for ideas or project issues I am encountering at work, and exposure to others in the industry that I’d otherwise not have an opportunity to communicate with are a few of the great aspects of Apra C board membership. Joining gave me a chance to personally make sure others in the Carolinas had regular access to educational opportunities, networking and a support system of likeminded individuals, especially as they’re starting out their prospect development journey. I needed the connections when I was first starting out and Apra has been a huge resource for me so giving back only makes sense!

What do you like most about working in prospect development?

I love the “but why or how?” that comes with so many of our projects/finds – and that we’re encouraged to FIND the why and figure out HOW the prospect connects to our nonprofit! It’s a very rewarding treasure hunt through data, identifying nuggets of otherwise hidden information and crafting a story using them. My colleagues and I will often joke that we’re “super sleuths” for data that isn’t easily traceable which may be true and is part of the allure of prospect development but, it’s also the magic of how we’re usually the first ones to share said information and see how it’s ultimately translated into a meaningful, deeper relationship with a donor who makes an impact on your organization or community.

What's your favorite snack? 

Can I say coffee? Specifically iced lattes of the vanilla or cinnamon varieties. My Nespresso machine gets lots of love throughout the day!

Megan Wynn

Research Database Coordinator, Cone Health Foundation

Treasurer

How many years have you worked in fundraising/prospect development?

I have worked in prospect development for 4 of the 11 years that I have been in fundraising.

What inspired you to join the Apra Carolinas board?

Since joining the Research team at Elon in 2019, I have been continually amazed by, and grateful for, all that Apra Carolinas has offered me. The professionals I have met are not only incredibly knowledgeable and skilled, they are also genuinely warm, engaging, and encouraging. My boss is a former President of Apra Carolinas, and I saw the fulfillment she got out of giving back to an organization that provides so much to those of us who work in this niche field. When I received the invitation to join, it was a no brainer for me. My hope is to inspire others to plug in as much as I did so that you can meet an incredible group of individuals and acquire invaluable insight into the field!

What do you like most about working in prospect development?

My favorite part of prospect development is the “detective” skills it takes to do my job well. I love those moments when a prospect has been a bit elusive to research, but I suddenly search for the right term or pull on the right string that reveals valuable information I had been searching for. Several people in my hallway can attest to the times they’ve heard an excited “Aha! Found you!” coming from my office.

What's your favorite snack? 

Hands down, I could eat apples and peanut butter any day of the week!

Vicki O'Brien

Director of Prospect Research, International Fund for Animal Welfare

Secretary

How many years have you worked in fundraising/prospect development?

10

What inspired you to join the Apra Carolinas board?

To feel a greater sense of belonging and connection to our community of prospect development professionals. Our community is so generous with sharing its knowledge and experience. I have benefitted from this generosity in the most meaningful ways throughout my career, and it's time I returned that kindness through service on the Apra Carolinas Board.

What do you like most about working in prospect development?

Having debates and discussions about donor strategy with frontline fundraisers always sparks joy for me particularly when it comes time to invite a donor to support your organization's mission at a significant level. I wanted to be more involved with the prospect development community and get to know more people in the field. I also owe a lot of my success in my first prospect development role to what I learned through Apra Carolinas. I hope to help others do the same in my role on the board. I wanted to be more involved with the prospect development community and get to know more people in the field. I also owe a lot of my success in my first prospect development role to what I learned through Apra Carolinas. I hope to help others do the same in my role on the board.

What's your favorite snack? 

My favorite snack is pizza. Pizza counts as a snack, right?

Prisca Zaccaria

Executive Director of Prospect Development, University of South Carolina

Education Chair

How many years have you worked in fundraising/prospect development?

21

What inspired you to join the Apra Carolinas board?

I'm thrilled to have been recruited by the current board to join Apra Carolinas! What drew me in was the vibrant community, strong programming, and the evident passion among members to share their knowledge and embrace new industry processes. Given my recent role as the Executive Director of Prospect Development at the University of South Carolina, joining the board felt like a perfect fit. I've been truly impressed with Apra Carolinas' leadership! Looking forward to contributing and learning together!

What do you like most about working in prospect development?

What I love about prospect development is the thrill of turning data into stories that drive meaningful change. But in my role, what I find most exciting is being part of the journey to grow future leaders in fundraising. It's not just about today and not just about my career; it's about sowing the seeds for a passionate and impactful tomorrow. To feel a greater sense of belonging and connection to our community of prospect development professionals. Our community is so generous with sharing its knowledge and experience. I have benefitted from this generosity in the most meaningful ways throughout my career, and it's time I returned that kindness through service on the Apra Carolinas Board.

What's your favorite snack? 

Cheese and wine

Jennifer Kehoe

Senior Director of Prospect Development, Clemson University

Membership Chair

How many years have you worked in fundraising/prospect development?

21 years. First 4 years of my career were as a CFR Development Officer before moving into the Prospect Development side of things, and I’ve never regretted it for a minute!

What inspired you to join the Apra Carolinas board?

The desire to be more involved with my fellow Analysts (in all of our different organizations) and to feel like I’m giving back. I’ve been in this area for 4 years now and I don’t know nearly enough people, this is perfect opportunity!

What do you like most about working in prospect development?

I enjoy the challenge of the work and the everyday “puzzles” we face. I have always found a great deal of satisfaction working in philanthropy and the idea that we can work for a greater good. I’ve also been blessed to meet and work with some truly talented colleagues.

What's your favorite snack? 

Wow, I feel like this changes, but right now…Dot’s Pretzels (Original flavor).

Jenny Bunn

Prospect Research Manager, UNC Asheville

NC Representative

How many years have you worked in fundraising/prospect development?

I have worked in Prospect Development for one year, but have worked in non-profit fundraising in various capacities for decades.

What inspired you to join the Apra Carolinas board?

Apra Carolinas has been an excellent professional resource for me. I have been so impressed with how welcoming and helpful everyone has been to a newcomer like me, and I am eager to give back to this organization that has already given so much to me.

What do you like most about working in prospect development?

It's hard to pin down what I like the most! I love the research. I appreciate the camaraderie with gift officers - it feels great when information I have shared helps them to make a meaningful connection.

What's your favorite snack? 

Salty chips with really fresh guacamole

Chris Copsey

Interim Vice President of Prospect Development, UNC Health Foundation

NC Representative

How many years have you worked in fundraising/prospect development?

7

What inspired you to join the Apra Carolinas board?

A desire to be locally involved with our industry's professional group.

What do you like most about working in prospect development?

The detective work of finding new potential donors!

What's your favorite snack? 

Popcorn!

Rachael Daniels

Prospect Research Analyst, Clemson University

SC Regional Representative

How many years have you worked in fundraising/prospect development?

A little over 10 years.

What inspired you to join the Apra Carolinas board?

I wanted to be more involved with the prospect development community and get to know more people in the field. I also owe a lot of my success in my first prospect development role to what I learned through Apra Carolinas. I hope to help others do the same in my role on the board.

What do you like most about working in prospect development?

The best thing about working in prospect development is being able to help team members be successful. Finding that major donor hidden in the database or even just a tiny piece of information about a prospect that can move the relationship one step closer, whatever it is that can help a fundraiser get past a road block or get one step closer to meeting their goals.

What's your favorite snack? 

I'm not a big snack person, but I never turn down cheese.