Jenny Colvin, President
Jenny is the Chief Development Officer at River Bend Food Bank.
Why is being a member of AFP important to you?
A person should never stop learning. AFP provides a network of peers to connect, opportunities to continuously learn and grow, and resources to help us all be successful in a hard, yet rewarding profession.
Why are you choosing a career in philanthropy?
I believe a person should have a passion for their job. Knowing that the work I do every day is helping a person in need is a powerful thing. I chose this work because I believe in giving back to the community I love, and because it needs to be done!
Michele Darland, Past President
Michele is the Senior Director of Relationship Advancement and Donor Network Chair for Women United at United Way Quad Cities. With Women United, the mission is to have every Quad Cities child enter kindergarten ready to thrive and on the path to read by third grade. Women United had four bold strategies: to empower parents, to provide child care scholarships, to champion the impact of child care professionals, and to raise public awareness for the importance of these endeavors. Michele also stewards leadership level investors of the United Way Quad Cities to rise united giving every student the education they deserve, help all students find a job that utilizes their talents and prove health is the greatest wealth of all.
Why is being a member of AFP important to you?
I seek the experience and support from my proven peers as to the best practices to execute the glorious and good we do every day. AFP-QC is a great resource and welcoming group. I am impressed with the resources available from AFP Global.
Why are you choosing a career in philanthropy?
I have always gravitated towards people and organizations that lobby for a better community and a better community starts with giving back. I want to facilitate in some small way the giving back.
Marcie Ordaz, President-Elect
Marcie is the Executive Director of lift Women’s Foundation, an affiliate of Royal Neighbors of America.
Why is being a member of AFP important to you?
Being fairly new in development, AFP provides courses lead by industry professionals, which allows me to learn and strengthen skills I have to be successful. Being a part of AFP provides support amongst peers through sharing best practices and providing mentorship opportunities, which is invaluable. AFP members serve as the best resources to each other!
Why are you choosing a career in philanthropy?
I feel privileged that philanthropy chose me! I have always had a passion for helping others and connecting people with resources and now I get to do it daily. It is a blessing to play a small part in helping families get the support they need in our community.
Randi Rockwell, Treasurer
Randi is the Associate Director of Development at Trinity Health Foundation.
Why is being a member of AFP important to you?
AFP offers the incredible opportunity to meet and cultivate relationships with other professionals in the field of philanthropy, right here in the Quad Cities. With this comes a wealth of knowledge and support from people who know and understand our community and the work we do. Moreover, the AFP webinars, conferences, and Quad Cities-based Lunch and Learns are second-to-none for professional development.
Why are you choosing a career in philanthropy?
Having a mission-based career is essential to me for job fulfillment, and one of my greatest passions is helping to ensure everyone has access to high-quality healthcare. My role at Trinity Health Foundation allows me to do all of this and more. Additionally, I have met the most wonderful people working in the field of philanthropy. Mission, passion, and amazing colleagues make philanthropy at Trinity Health Foundation the perfect career for me!
Hannah Carr, Secretary
Hannah is the Development Director for YouthHope.
Why is being a member of AFP important to you?
I have received amazing training for fundraising, philanthropy, and community engagement through AFP. As a past recipient of the AFP Scholarship, I was able to take classes and learn from long-standing development professionals in the Quad Cities. AFP has helped equip me for my role in development, prepare me for changes in philanthropy, and meet some incredible people in fundraising. I love being part of this network of passionate, encouraging, and supportive fundraising professionals!
Why are you choosing a career in philanthropy?
I am passionate about bringing joy and hope to others! The calling to help fund and support YouthHope was divinely set and with perfect timing. My past work experience in New York as a Mad Scientist helped prepare me for a diverse and ever-changing role in non-profit development. AFP helped me learn how to fundraise sustainably and practically. I love telling stories of impact and transformation! It is a privilege to invite others to help bring youth HOPE!
Mary Egger, Membership
Mary is the Development Director at Family Resources.
Why is being a member of AFP important to you?
I am fairly new to fundraising in my professional life, but AFP was a great way to ease that transition. It’s helpful to be involved with a group that can be used as a reference and sounding board as I face questions or challenges in my position. I also think that just being around all the talented and seasoned non-profit professionals will have a positive impact on me and my ability to do my job well.
Why are you choosing a career in philanthropy?
We spend far too much time working to do something we’re not proud of at the end of the day. I’m proud to tell people about where I work and the amazing things we do. I also love meeting new people and cultivating relationships.
Micaela Booth, Members at Large
Micaela is the Director of Birdies for Charity at the John Deere Classic.
Why is being a member of AFP important to you?
Through AFP, I have found an incredible network of non-profit leaders in our community. I hear all the time that members feel like they can pick up the phone and give any other member a call for help, and they will be there. I share those sentiments 100%. We have a very generous group in AFP QC - having the opportunities to learn from them and build a network with them has been invaluable. There is also tremendous value in the resources provided by AFP Global.
Why are you choosing a career in philanthropy?
When I think of a rewarding career, I think of the opportunity serve others and make a difference. I feel incredibly lucky to have found a home at the John Deere Classic. Each day, I get to know more about hundreds of organizations that are doing amazing things for our community. To be able to provide fundraising opportunities for so many different organizations through the Birdies for Charity program, it feels like that reward is multiplied!
Brooke Hendrickx, Board Member
Brooke is the Director of Development and Communications for EveryChild (formerly Child Abuse Council).
Why is being a member of AFP important to you?
I am fairly new to fundraising in my professional life. Being a part of AFP has been extremely helpful in my transition into my new role and in setting up processes to make my job more efficient and enjoyable. The support from other fundraisers has been phenomenal and having a network of individuals who know the world of fundraising has been priceless!
Why are you choosing a career in philanthropy?
I like to think the career in philanthropy chose me. I've always enjoyed working in a role where I was helping people reduce barriers and reach their full potential. As EveryChild's Director of Development and Communications, I'm able to share my passion for helping to keep kids safe and help staff increase their programming capabilities - to build parenting confidence, keep kids safe, and help children and families thrive!
Bill Horrell, Board Member
Bill is the Community Impact Coordinator at Alternatives for the Older Adult.
Why is being a member of AFP important to you?
AFP provides professional development not only from national experts, but also from local fundraising peers. Being a part of the AFP Quad Cities means fundraising professionals have a “support group” that provides mentors, educational opportunities, a sounding board for new ideas/campaigns, and networking opportunities.
Why are you choosing a career in philanthropy?
When I originally started in the nonprofit world, I wanted to show my young daughters, that you could have a career where you help other, and not just make money. It feels great to see the positive impact that our agency and other nonprofits have on those in need in our community.
Sara Morby, Board Member
Sara is a Development Officer with the Figge Art Museum.
Why is being a member of AFP important to you?
AFP has been instrumental in my career in philanthropy. The educational programs and luncheons helped me to learn a wide variety of the knowledge in the fundraising field from annual fund solicitation to planned giving and more! The local AFP events are a wonderful way to meet other fundraising professionals and make strong connections in the community.
Why are you choosing a career in philanthropy?
It is an honor for me to have a career in philanthropy because you can connect a donor to a mission that has a special meaning or purpose for them. It is an amazing experience to see the joy a donor experiences through a philanthropic gift.