Transitioning from an individual contributor to a people manager in prospect development often feels like a catch-22, especially when job postings demand prior leadership experience. To understand how professionals actually make this leap, a survey of 70 current managers revealed key insights regarding qualifications and career paths. While advanced degrees are common among managers, formal certifications are relatively rare. Instead, relevant domain experience plays a far more critical role. Notably, over half of respondents stepped into their first management role without formally applying, and two-thirds secured their transition internally at their current organization. While managing direct reports and broader operational areas entails new responsibilities, these findings demonstrate that multiple viable paths exist for achieving management within the field.
Many Apra chapters struggle to recruit members for board roles, largely due to a common myth: that volunteers need years of experience or a senior job title to step up.
In this article, Jennifer Moody dismantles these misconceptions and outlines what chapters actually need from their leaders: enthusiasm, reliability, and strong organizational skills. Drawing on insights from current and former chapter leaders, Moody demonstrates how serving on a board expands your professional network, accelerates career growth and drives meaningful impact within your chapter—all without requiring a massive time commitment.
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Established in 1998, the Apra Margaret Fuhry Award is given to an Apra member committed to the prospect development (PD) profession, based on leadership, mentorship, and volunteerism. The 2025 recipient was Eresha De Silva, head of donor operations on World Vision Australia’s private funding team.
What follows is an email conversation between fellow Fuhry awardee Jeff Walker (2004) and De Silva. Learn how she entered the profession, what keeps her inspired, her advice for those new to the PD community, and more