The Heart of Apra: Honoring Our More Than 100 Volunteers Helping to Drive Prospect Development Forward

Relationship Management

| April 09, 2026

With 100+ talented individuals serving Apra across the Board of Directors and 11 different committees, there is no shortage of expertise moving our association and the Prospect Development (PD) profession forward. In honor of National Volunteer Week, we asked Apra volunteers to share how their service to the organization has impacted their professional career journey or enriched their experience within the PD community. You can read their thoughts, in their own words, below.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all volunteers, past and present, who selflessly offer their skills, knowledge and passion to make Apra a trusted community for PD professionals worldwide.

Volunteering with Apra has been one of the most meaningful investments of my professional life. After more than 25 years as a member, I can honestly say I would not be where I am today without the Apra community. The relationships, learning, mentorship, and shared commitment to excellence have shaped my career in ways I’m profoundly grateful for. I encourage anyone looking to grow professionally and give back to take the step to volunteer; you’ll gain far more than you expect.

Nedra Newton-Jones, Member, Conference Planning Committee, former Apra Board Member; Executive Director, Research & Prospect Management, University of Georgia

Volunteering with Apra has expanded my network to a global scale! Not only have I been asked to speak at countless conferences (both nationally and internationally), but I’ve also grown in knowledge and strength to defend my position when they were being cut at my organization. I wouldn’t be as strong or well-equipped if the Apra community had not poured into me many years ago. I am thankful for this community and look forward to volunteering for many years to come!

Rachel Hammond, Member, Educational Program Development Committee (EPD), Chair of EPD’s Plug In to Pipeline Conference; Prospect Research Specialist for Moody Bible Institute

Volunteering with Apra has been incredibly meaningful to me because I’ve always felt there is so much to learn from others in this field. Being part of an organization that sets the standard for our work is both inspiring and motivating and contributing to that community has truly felt like an honor. My volunteer experience has not only helped me grow professionally but also deepened my connection to the field and the people in it.

Dana Nehme, Member, Educational Program Development Committee (EPD); Development Researcher, Prospect Management and Research, Lehigh University Development & Alumni Relations

As an Apra volunteer since the start of my prospect development career 20 years ago, I cannot say enough about how volunteering has helped me build confidence and deepen my knowledge base, while also shaping me into a stronger leader. I love being part of our supportive community of enthusiastic and generous individuals who are keen to make a difference.

Whether serving on the board, mentoring others, or participating in panel discussions, my volunteer experience has continually enriched my career and remains a meaningful part of my ongoing growth.

Selene Hur, Member, Membership Committee; Manager of Prospect Development & Research, YMCA of Greater Toronto

Being an Apra volunteer has given me a community of peers that not only have I learned from but have together helped shape the future of this industry. The work I do here has shaped my character and ways in which I affect change inside the workplace. I can truly say, without volunteering for Apra, I would not be as confident today and knowledgeable about this industry. The community and relationships you build here during your volunteer efforts truly make you a better professional and person.

John Whitney, Co-Chair, Content Development Committee (CDC); Development, Innovation and Operations Manager, TMS Global

I dipped my toes into volunteering for Apra by joining my local chapter, CARA, which started me on a path to growing as a leader and a contributor. Speaking at conferences and helping to create content for those new to Relationship Management sparked even more growth. Apra has given me practical tools for sure, but it’s also given me great friendships that are effortless no matter how far apart we are or how long it’s been since we last spoke. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share fresh ideas with this community that’s innovative, curious, and always ready to lift each other up. Volunteering and growing within Apra has expanded my idea of myself and what I thought I was capable of. Sky’s the limit!

Cynthia Mikimoto, Vice Chair, Apra Fundamentals Committee; Associate Director of Prospect Management, Caltech

My desire is to always be a part of the community, to be a catalyst for change that moves our profession forward. Serving as a volunteer has given me that opportunity and more. I value the relationships and connections that I've made; the multifaceted perspectives that not only enrich my professional experience but also allow me to learn through each interaction I have with members of our community. I see volunteering is an opportunity to do more than attend; it's an invitation to participate and challenge ourselves to continually improve so we evolve with the ever-changing needs of our organizations and the donors that support them. 

Paul Wiklanski, Member, Chapters Committee; Senior Associate Director of Prospect Development, University of Michigan

Volunteering on the Nominations Committee was a great way to connect with Apra at the leadership level. It was hard work, but it was inspiring to get to know the many super-dedicated volunteers that raise their hand to serve on the Apra Board each year!

Jessica Balsam, Member, Nominations Committee; Senior Director, Prospect Development, University of Washington

Volunteering with Apra has truly been a two-way street - while I contribute my time and expertise, I also gain the opportunity to stay current with the latest updates in our dynamic field and a strong sense of community. This experience has not only helped me do my current job better but has also allowed me to expand the scope of my role in ways that I genuinely enjoy. As a researcher committed to continuous learning and knowledge sharing, I value Apra as an essential space to connect with peers around the world and exchange meaningful insights.

Priya Balachandran, Member, Apra Fundamentals Committee; Prospect Research and Management Specialist, Northern Illinois Food Bank

Volunteering with Apra has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career. Nowhere else would you be able to find such a warm, inviting group of people to share their expertise, lift each other up, and step in to help when asked. The connections you make don’t just strengthen your career; they remind you why this profession is so special in the first place.
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to grow, give back, and build lasting relationships, getting involved with Apra is an opportunity that truly gives back in return.

Chris Copsey, Co-Chair, Educational Program Development Committee (EPD); Assistant Vice President, Prospect Development, UNC Health Foundation

As a one-woman research team at my organization, I turn to my Apra network to ask for advice, brainstorm ideas, or just vent into the void! Apra has given me the information and data I need to make a strong case for the importance of our work at my international non-profit. Volunteering with Apra across multiple committees and making contacts at the annual conference has allowed me to grow my professional network and make some wonderful friends.  

Stephanie Huggins, Vice Chair, Membership Committee; Senior Associate Director, Investor Relations, The END Fund

Volunteering with Apra has shaped my career in ways I never could have anticipated. What started with NEDRA, where I had the privilege of serving on the board and growing alongside a remarkable community, eventually led me to roles with Apra International over the past few years. Serving on the Membership Committee last year deepened my appreciation for what makes this field thrive, and now, as a member of the DEIBJA Committee, I am learning the scope and importance of that work. Being part of a group of colleagues committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, justice and access in our field is an honor and a responsibility. These are not peripheral conversations; they are at the heart of building a community that truly reflects and serves everyone. I love this profession and the people in it and giving back feels like the most natural thing in the world. Volunteering with Apra is not an obligation. It is a privilege I cherish.

Susan Grivno, Member, DEIBJA Committee; Senior Prospect Research Analyst, Research Standards, University of New Hampshire

Volunteering with Apra has kept me connected to a strong community of colleagues who continue to help me learn, grow, and strengthen my skills. It has been especially meaningful during times when I worked in one-person shops, giving me a sense of connection and support within the profession. My volunteer experience has also helped me better articulate the value of Prospect Development and its impact on advancing an organization’s mission and goals. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities Apra has provided and for the leaders who encouraged me to get involved.

Mandy Heath, Member, Educational Program Development Committee (EPD); Vice President, Philanthropy Services, Gobel Group

Many colleagues share that they struggle with imposter syndrome or a growth plateau, but I’ve found that being part of the Apra "family" is the ultimate antidote. Connecting with both my local chapter and Apra International early on in my career provided a safe space to refine my leadership style and gain the confidence to advocate for my craft - and myself. Every committee has introduced me to brilliant peers whose diverse perspectives I’ve applied to my own career, often surprising supervisors with my pulse on industry trends. PD is so unique in that it feels both vast and intimately connected, making it incredibly rewarding to be inspired by the best minds in the business every day. Ultimately, volunteering has helped me transition from a lifelong learner to a mentor, shaping the next generation of prospect development while building a career that feels like a calling. –

Jennifer Moody, Member, Apra Nominations Committee, Content Development Committee (CDC); Manager, Partnerships at The Health Initiative

I'm not sure if my late mentor and first fundraising manager Stephen Hardy knew what doors Apra would open to me. Or maybe he did! I'll always be thankful that when I started out in the field, he pointed me straight to Apra International and a local chapter. Joanna Schofield, then-president of Apra Maryland, invited me in as a roundtable discussion leader, and I've never looked back. In six years of volunteering, I've received far more than I've given. Apra International and Apra DC-MD service has connected me in such a vital way to other prospect development professionals. I've grown skills and made so many friends along the way. If you haven't taken the leap to volunteer yet, please do; there's a place for your gifts and talents in the Apra community!