As President of Apra International, one of my greatest privileges has been the opportunity to engage directly with our chapter communities. Across Apra, chapters are the embodiment of our professional connection, learning, leadership and innovation. They are not simply regional extensions of our association; they are essential parts of the Apra ecosystem. 

During my time on the Apra Board of Directors, I have had the honor of speaking at and learning from CARA, Apra-Maryland (Now DC-MD), Apra-Minnesota, Apra-Florida, Apra-Illinois and Apra-Australia events. Each chapter has reminded me that while our work may vary by institution, geography, role or career stage, our shared commitment to prospect development connects us.  

My goal as president is to participate in as much chapter engagement as possible. I believe deeply in showing up for our members where they are. Chapters create opportunities for members to ask questions, exchange ideas, build confidence and see themselves as contributors and leaders in our profession. They are often where someone first volunteers, first presents, first finds a mentor or first recognizes the value of their own voice. The majority of the current Apra International Board of Directors previously held roles as chapter leadership. 

Prospect development is a field built on curiosity, strategy, communication, ethics and influence. Those same qualities are strengthened through chapter engagement. Whether we are talking about data, research, relationship management, pipelines, data or the future of our profession, chapters provide the space to connect our daily work to the larger purpose of advancement. They help us bridge individual experience with collective knowledge. 

I am especially looking forward to continuing this engagement in June with Apra-Greater Houston, where I will be speaking on “Leveling Up: Prospect Development as a Pathway to Leadership.” This topic is especially meaningful to me because I believe our field prepares professionals to lead in powerful ways. Prospect development professionals understand strategy, complexity, relationships and decision-making. Through chapter involvement, members can further develop those leadership muscles by serving, presenting, mentoring and building community. 

As we look ahead to the Prospect Development 2026 in Chicago, I encourage every attendee to seek out their fellow chapter members. Find the people from your region. Introduce yourself to someone from another chapter. Ask what programming has inspired them, what challenges they are navigating and what ideas they are bringing back home. These conversations are part of what makes Apra vibrant. They remind us that we are part of something larger than any one conference session, institution or role. 

To every chapter leader, volunteer, speaker, attendee and member: thank you. Your work is valued. Your engagement strengthens Apra. And your commitment ensures that our community remains connected, relevant and ready for what comes next. 

Sharise Harrison
Apra President, Assistant Vice President, Advancement Service | Sacramento State University

Sharise Harrison (she/her) is a dynamic leader in the field of prospect development, currently serving as Apra International President. She is also the Assistant Vice President of Advancement Services and Prospect Management at Sacramento State University, Senior Consultant at The Inclusion Firm, and Board Member of Zion Girls. She has held leadership roles at Loyola University of Chicago, Grenzebach, Glier and Associates (GG+A), Santa Clara University, Teach For America and the University of Kentucky Healthcare. Additionally, she served in prospect development roles at Women for Women International, Georgetown University and Howard University. Sharise has been involved with Apra since 2009, when she attended and presented at her first Prospect Development conference. Since then, she has continued to contribute significantly to the organization's mission, serving on the Apra board since 2022 and holding leadership roles in governance, data science and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Sharise's commitment to Apra extends beyond board service; she has also shared her expertise through presenting numerous workshops for Apra International and its chapters. Additionally, Sharise has served in key roles such as Apra Foundation Trustee, Chair of the Apra Awards Committee and Data Science Curriculum Planning Committee and as a member of the Data Science and Nominations Committees. In addition to her contributions to Apra, Sharise is a published author of articles on Prospect Development for Connections and has been profiled in The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Through her writing and speaking engagements, Sharise advocates for the use of data and technology to create more inclusive, equitable, and efficient systems. Sharise earned her MA from Georgetown University, her BA from LaSalle University and a Fundraising Operations Certificate from Rice University