Owning Your Nonprofit Career: Navigating the World of Fundraising and Leadership

Tap into the skills, education, and relationship-building advice that will help you grow as a development professional. A panel of seasoned nonprofit professionals, executives, and leadership coaches will share their career trajectories and experiences while also giving participants actionable advice to find resources available to them, grow in their roles, articulate and achieve their professional goals, and develop into successful fundraisers and community leaders. Participants will gain insight into:

• The benefits of earning the CFRE
• Identifying and connecting with mentors
• Navigating shifts in roles and responsibilities
• The key behaviors of a successful leader
• Taking responsibility for your career path
• Serving as a mentor
• How passion can shape your career
• How to identify your strengths and build on them
• Formally and informally building leadership and fundraising skills

Whether you’re currently in a fundraising or philanthropy role, hoping to transition into one, or looking to gain more concrete career advice about the nonprofit sector, this panel applies to you!

About Our Panelists:

India Alexis Ehioba, MNA, CFRE has over 20 years of nonprofit success. She is the CEO of Shore Community Services in Skokie, Illinois. A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), she currently serves on CFRE International's Board of Directors. Ms. Ehioba is a highly accomplished major and planned giving fundraiser, having established successful multi-million dollar planned giving programs. A well-known speaker, trainer, and presenter of philanthropy and nonprofit management, Ms. Ehioba holds a Master degree in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Walter S. and Lucienne B. Driskill Foundation, a Chicago-based grantmaking foundation.

Eric has been the Director of Philanthropy at Loaves & Fishes Community Services for the past 3 years. Two overseas deployments with the Marine Corps inspired a move to the nonprofit sector, with a focus on food security and community building. Prior to his position at Loaves & Fishes, Eric worked in development roles at the Boy Scouts of America and West Suburban Community Pantry. His skill with building individual relationships has been the building blocks to a successful career in fundraising. Eric has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Bradley University. He is a member of the Naperville Exchange Club, the West Suburban Philanthropic Network, and an usher at St. Anne Catholic Church. Eric enjoys spending time with his family and tending to his apple and peach trees.

Karen Kuchar is a leadership coach and organizational consultant to nonprofits. Her leadership experience has been focused on leading organizations through transformative change through engaging board, staff, and stakeholders. She currently leads three Nonprofit Executive Leadership Circles, meeting monthly with a leaders in a confidential setting that provides group support and challenge in leadership development. Her career included 16 years as Executive Director at Family Shelter Service. She values a collaborative leadership style to achieve growth in programs, facilities and fund development. Her particular interest is developing leaders and high functioning teams. Karen holds an MS in Counseling Psychology and is an adjunct faculty at North Central College.

Michelle Sherbun, PCC, ELI-MP, President of Michelle Sherbun, LLC, is a leadership coach and nonprofit management consultant with 40 years of experience. She is committed to building socially conscious public/private partnerships that strengthen the mission and capacity of organizations to lead change. Michelle brings philanthropists, advisors, businesses, and nonprofit leaders together in radical collaborations that turn good ideas into great solutions. Michelle is past president of the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In 2016 Michelle was recognized by AFP Chicago with the Benjamin Franklin Award for her contributions to the fundraising profession. And in 2017, she received the President’s Award for her contributions to the AFP Chicago Chapter.

Moderator:

Kaitlyn M. Balsewicz, CFRE is a development officer with DuPage Foundation. She coordinates Foundation events and assists with all aspects of donor engagement as well as the Foundation's marketing and communications efforts. Prior to joining the Foundation, Kait worked at Interfaith Youth Core in Chicago as its foundation relations manager. There she collaborated with senior staff to prepare compelling reports and proposals for funding partners and stewarded a grants portfolio of national and family foundations through which she secured more than $7MM in revenue during her tenure. Kait graduated from St. Norbert College with a bachelor's degree in Religious Studies. Kait is a lifelong resident of DuPage County, grew up in Glen Ellyn, and lives in Winfield with her husband.

Schedule:

Registration and coffee begin at 8:00 AM. Program starts at 8:30 a.m.
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Registration Check-In and Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Program and Q&A Session

 
This program qualifies for 1.5 CFRE credits. Click here to download the CFRE Tracking Sheet.