People in Fundraising, episode 99: Yale University’s Jill Meister

It's my great pleasure to feature today's "People in Fundraising" guest, Jill Meister! She is the 99th guest on this program, two years into its run. Jill and I currently co-chair Apra International's Executive Leadership Cohort (ELC), a day-long program for senior prospect development pros at the annual Apra PD conference next month, in Seattle. We are so excited for ELC! ELC is part of Apra's Education and Professional Development committee, chaired by the awesome Dina Zelleke.

In our conversation, Jill - who received NEDRA's Ann Castle Award in 2017 for outstanding achievement in prospect development - discusses:

* Her beginnings in higher education prospect research at UMass-Amherst, which is my alma mater (Jill and I were on-campus at the same time for a few years but didn't know each other then).

* Her longtime senior volunteer leadership roles as president of both NEDRA (New England Development Research Assoc) (the largest Apra International chapter) in the mid-2000s and, one decade later, of Apra International.

* Before we started recording, the great mentorship and generosity of another prospect development professional, Elizabeth Crabtree.

* How the prospect development industry has changed over Jill's nearly three decades in this profession - and what stories most resonate with her as she reflects on this tenure.

 

Thank you Jill for such an enjoyable and enlightening conversation! I am excited to see you in-person again next month in Seattle!