aasp Member Spotlights

Chris Amherst

The University of Chicago Advancement
Director of Data Management

Which aasp events have you attended? Please share anything memorable or meaningful.
My first aasp Summit that I attended was five years ago.  After that, I started presenting at Summit. Summit 2022 was the most memorable. My co-presenter and I really leaned into using cat pics to talk about data governance. Of course, this meant that my cats Sophie and Rajah got to be aasp-famous as a result.

Which volunteer roles have you held with aasp?
Previously, I served on Advancement Technology Best Practices for five years as a Volunteer and later as a chair. I was able to co-author a best practice on “Master Data Management.” Currently, I serve as the Co-Chair of the Knowledge Base, leading 45+ amazing volunteers across five subcommittees.

What motivates you to volunteer with aasp?
Connecting back to the events I’ve attended, it’s being part of a community, and giving back to the community. (My love language is “acts of service." So if aasp had a cookie exchange, I’d be showing up with five boxes of cookies.)

What do you hope to achieve in your current aasp position?
To paraphrase from the Foundational Academies charge: Empowering tomorrow’s leaders in advancement services with the tools and knowledge needed to master, innovate, and lead within their advancement organizations. 

How have you benefited professionally and/or personally by volunteering with aasp?
For me, fundraising is all about building relationships and cultivating community. Volunteering has been an enriching experience because of the connections to people within our field.  

Other than your volunteerism with aasp and your career, what are your interests/passions?
An interesting fact about me and my family: we’ve visited all of the Disney parks around the world.

Arielle Johnson

Georgia Institute of Technology
Director of Gift Administration

Have you attended any previous Summits? If so, which ones and please share anything memorable.
I haven’t had the chance to attend any Summits myself yet, but I’ve been lucky enough to send several team members over the years. One of them even got to present a while back—he shared some awesome automation work and got a ton of support and love from the community. Even though I haven’t experienced it firsthand, I’ve seen how impactful Summit can be and the lasting impression it leaves on people.

Your volunteer roles with aasp
Summit Proposal Subcommittee
Gift Administration Preconference Chair

What motivates you to volunteer with aasp?
The gift administration field is more relevant—and more vital—than ever. With the increasing complexity of data, shifting donor preferences, and more nuanced gift agreements, the work of gift administration and processing professionals is absolutely essential. So the big question is: how can aasp continue to rise to the occasion and support the people doing this critical work?

I want to be part of that support system—helping ensure the infrastructure is in place for folks to learn, share, and build community through this work.

On a personal note, I’ve had some amazing mentors who’ve told me just how much this organization has meant to them. Naturally, I wanted to be part of something that’s not only meaningful but also makes a real impact.

Which events have you attended?

Looking forward to attending my first Summit in Reno this coming September!

How have you benefited professionally and/or personally by volunteering with aasp?
Just this year, I stepped into a new role and moved to a new state. It’s been a big transition, but aasp has been an incredible source of support—connecting me with a network of people who’ve helped me adjust not only to my new job but also to my new home. I truly can’t thank enough all the amazing folks who’ve supported me over the past year.

Other than your volunteerism with aasp and your career, what are your interests/passions?
Video games have always been a big part of my life—I especially love story-driven games and ones that are technically challenging (but not too punishing!). My husband and I spend our weekends diving into new titles on our PCs, Steam Decks, PlayStation 5, and even mobile games. It’s our favorite way to unwind and connect.

Outside of gaming, I’m all about trying new food experiences and catching live music around Atlanta. There’s always something new to explore, and I love getting to know the city a little more every day!

Vicky Medlock

Emory University
Interim Senior Associate Vice President, Operations and Advancement Strategy

Years in aasp
I am a proud founding member of aasp.  I didn’t make the first gathering of the handful of amazing colleagues who birthed aasp, but I became an aasp volunteer soon after.

Your volunteer roles with aasp
While I enjoy being active with a few professional associations, aasp holds a special place in my heart. Currently, I serve as the chair of the Scholarship Committee and as a member of the Summit Logistics Committee, and I always enjoy participating as an awards judge. Over the years, I’ve held several volunteer roles, but I’m especially proud to have served as aasp President in 2012 and 2013. It’s been incredibly rewarding to give back to a community that has given me so much.

What motivates you to volunteer with aasp?
It’s the people I’ve met and the continuous opportunity to grow and learn. The aasp community truly welcomes everyone and is dedicated to serving the greater good through the work we all do—regardless of our individual roles. I’ve been inspired by so many during my aasp journey, and I’m more than happy to give my time to an association that has played a role in every success (and every learning opportunity) along the way. We are an open, sharing, and caring community—and that’s exactly why I love being an aasp volunteer.

Which events have you attended?
This one is tough because I’ve attended every aasp Summit—except for one—and each one holds incredible memories. But if I had to pick just one standout memory, my shoutout goes to David Lawson and Lori Hood Lawson for their unforgettable keynote at the 2018 Summit. Dressed as Captain Kirk and Princess Leia, they tackled the topic of governing AI and harnessing its power in such a fun, engaging, and insightful way. They were even kind enough to reprise the presentation at an aasp regional conference I hosted when at Rollins College. They’re just fabulous!

The one Summit I missed was due to an emergency health situation with my husband—thankfully, he’s just fine now. But I still smile remembering that even from his hospital bed, he told me I should go, knowing how much I love the conference. Of course, I stayed home to support him, but it just goes to show how special and meaningful this association and annual conference has become in my life.

How have you benefited professionally and/or personally by volunteering with aasp?
How much space do we have? First and always—it’s the people! I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: this community is incredibly generous in sharing their experiences and knowledge. I often tell my colleagues, “I don’t need to know the answer—I just need to know the people who do.” Volunteering has opened the door to so many meaningful conversations within our profession. In my opinion, networking is one of the most valuable things we can do, both for our personal growth and for the benefit of our organizations. The people I’ve met along my aasp journey have helped me find new paths to consider—whether tackling a challenge, exploring something new, or even stepping into entrepreneurial ventures.

Other than your volunteerism with aasp and your career, what are your interests/passions?
I’m finally getting smart enough—after all these years—to prioritize international travel in my personal life. I’ve made a commitment to take at least one international trip each year, and the experience of exploring new cultures, people, and places has been absolutely amazing. Closer to home, local weekend or day trips have always been a passion. My husband and I have made it a point to explore someplace new almost every weekend for nearly all of our 31 years together. There’s such joy in the unexpected—stumbling upon hidden gems, unique local spots, or beautiful scenery you never knew existed in your own backyard. That sense of discovery continues to inspire and energize me.

Kate Nimety

Zuri Group
President, Management Consulting

Your volunteer roles with aasp

Best Practices Review Panel (2017-2018)
Program Committee (2019 - present)
Design and Orchestrate Elevate Pre-conference Session at AASP Summit (2020 - present)

What motivates you to volunteer with aasp?
The nonprofit industry is very broad, including many industry verticals, different types and s
izes of organizations, and different roles needed to serve each organization's unique mission. aasp has provided a needed space for operational, organizational, data, and technology focused individuals to engage with one another and share their innovations in a way that supports all missions inclusively. Our network acknowledges the practitioners, vendors, thought leaders, and faculty of educational programs to gather throughout the year on even ground, able to ask questions and share frustrations. I believe that this space is necessary for everyone to find success, grow our programs, and support the work of fundraising for our missions. Since no physical space exists to foster this collaboration, it is critical that aasp creates this space through the annual Summit, Webinar and seminar series, and in publishing works that enable the collaboration and innovation to happen organically.

Which events have you attended?
I have been attending aasp Summit since my time at Yale University in the IT department (2014)
My first Leadership Preconference Session (now Elevate) was in 2014
I attend as many webinars and Summer Series as possible each year

The most memorable: My first time organizing the Leadership Preconference Session in 2020, about CRM selection and implementation. It was during COVID and so the entire Summit experience was virtual. I had organized 3 different panels into 3 different segments for the session, with the first panel being representatives from the main CRM systems or platforms. I was able to negotiate with the competitor panelists, so they felt the session was equitable and non-competitive. It was deeply informative to the audience and helped me personally to better understand how to work alongside other vendors without conflict.

How have you benefited professionally and/or personally by volunteering with aasp?
I started my work with aasp as a practitioner in Advancement Services and have since grown into a consultant helping everyone with the work of supporting their missions. Volunteering has helped me understand more about our industry, specifically the organizations that I do not interact with in my work. I love planning and helping with the logistics of a major event, helping to introduce people to one another with shared interests, and put innovation on display so that others can learn about it. Volunteering has helped me focus on those things to the benefit of my peers.

What motivated you to nominate yourself for the new Director of Knowledge Base position?
I was an early helper with the Best Practices committee and knew how valuable those published articles are to the industry. When the announcement about the prospectus for a new Knowledge Base came out, I was very curious. I had an opportunity to talk about it with aasp Past President, Jessica LaBorde, who gave me even more detail about the Board's vision for the way to connect our network with our published knowledge, and inform the generations to come about the practice of Advancement Services. After a few more conversations with current Board members, I jumped at the nomination with the hope that my technical background, objectivity, change management expertise, and my willingness to learn as I go would benefit starting something this foundational from scratch.

What are you looking forward to or most excited about for this role?
I am delighted that so many members have raised their hand to get involved as volunteers for the Knowledge Base Committee. That along speaks volumes about how important this resource will be to our community and how eager everyone is to build it and start using it. I am looking forward to building our Committee in a way that sets the expectation for new and valuable content, academic rigor, and to start developing the place to share and take advantage of our collective knowledge and expertise.

Other than your volunteerism with aasp and your career, what are your interests/passions?
I am a fine artist by trade (jewelry design and metalwork) and so the arts hold my heart. I love viewing art, exploring artistic spaces, and making my own sometimes! I have a big, energetic family, two dogs, and my family lives aboard a boat each summer - it's never boring for the Nimetys!

Emma Sonduck

Interim Director of Development
The Bay School of San Francisco
 

Your volunteer roles with aasp
I started as a volunteer with the Member Engagement Committee and over the years I moved into volunteering for the Mentorship Subcommittee, then chairing that committee, and finally I stepped into chairing the Member Engagement Committee two years ago.

What motivates you to volunteer with aasp?
The community! I know it's cliché, but I really felt I found my people the first time I attend Summit—people who were interested in the same conversations and topics I was, and even though I work in independent schools, which is on a much smaller scale than many of our members, I found so many ideas I could apply to my work. Over the years, I've continued volunteering because of the value I see aasp bringing to advancement services professionals, I really believe we are the best resource for professionals when they have a question, want to talk through a new idea, or are looking to understand how thinking about a topic has evolved as the profession has grown and evolved.

Which events and Summits have you attended?
I've been attending Summit since 2018, and I've also attended a handful of webinars over the years.

For which Summits have you volunteered?

I've volunteered at Summit since 2019—including volunteering virtually during COVID!

How have you benefited professionally and/or personally by volunteering with aasp?
Volunteering with aasp has really helped me grow in my understanding of what is possible in the field, and on a personal level, helped boost my confidence: hosting meetings, overseeing committees, and volunteering at Summit are all activities that I would have once considered out of my comfort zone, but through this experience I've really stretched and grown!

What are you most excited about for Summit 2024?
I'm most excited to re-connect with friends and colleagues and to learn about the work they are doing. I'm also really excited for our keynote speaker, Melina Palmer!

Tell us about your involvement in the planning and preparations for this year's Summit.
As chair of the Member Engagement Committee, my work for Summit is focused on the Aspire Awards, volunteer recognition, and Summit Buddies! This year we've made some changes to how we're presenting the Aspire Awards, and I'm really excited for this new format!

Do you have a memorable event or session on which you would like to comment?

The Keynote from last year's conference in Chicago was really incredible and really pushed me to consider how we think about and define philanthropy and how that impacts our donors and the support we receive.

Other than your volunteerism with aasp and your career, what are your interests/passions?
I'm a big movie buff and a sucker for my giant orange cat.

Jessica Elaine Channel-Iler

Assistant Vice Chancellor, Advancement Services
University of Missouri-St. Louis

How many years have you been involved with aasp?
Three years consistently, on and off for five or so before that. My membership is not intuitionally sponsored.

Tell us about your Volunteer Roles with aasp.
I have served as the Mentorship Sub-Committee Chair, Jessica Channell-Ilera Membership Operations Committee member, a Membership Engagement Committee member, and on the Prospect Development Best Practices Committee.

What motivates you to volunteer with aasp?
I have helped build higher education shops/programs toward comprehensive campaign over the past two decades. The one thing I have consistently found is that no two institutions are the same and it takes a community, a full network, of shared experiences and an understanding of others' best practice to build an institutional best practice that bridges CRM and operations at any given institution. Advancement is not plug and play, so I'm here to help where I can.

Which events have you attended?
I attend Mentorship mixers and webinars on the regular.

For which Summits have you volunteered?
The Mentorship Sub-Committee plays a small role each year in the planning, but I've never been able to attend a Summit.

How have you benefited professionally and/or personally by volunteering with aasp?
I have met so many wonderful people and been able to build a network that I can reach out to for mentorship or just to ask a question. It has been a really amazing opportunity to learn and grow through these relationships. I hope I can do the same for others.

What are you most excited about for Summit 2024?
Actually getting to be there, it will be my first Summit.

Do you have a memorable aasp event on which you would like to comment?
John Taylor's IRS summary is an annual favorite, my first virtual Mentorship Mixer was also a lot of fun.

Other than your volunteerism with aasp and your career what are your interests/passions?
Well, we arrived in St. Louis last December, so my family and I have been exploring a bit of Missouri of late. I'm also a life-long thrifter and a jewelry making enthusiast, so I use those passions as tools to balance the burnout a bit.

Sophia Reid, CFRE

Associate Director Advancement Operations
University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Tell us a little bit about the organization you serve.
University of Waterloo is a leading global innovation hub that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. With more than 41,000 students, we are home to the world's largest co-op education talent pipeline, to game-changing research and technology, and to an unmatched entrepreneurial culture. Find out more at uwaterloo.ca.

How many years have you been involved with aasp?
I have spent 15 years in philanthropy. I think 7 years or more of those as a member of aasp.

As a continual learner I realized aasp provides me with valuable information to assist in my learning journey. The Advancement Services professionals from various sectors have shared “best practices” and resources which has enabled me to do my job better.

Tell us about your Volunteer Roles with aasp.
I am a volunteer with the Membership Engagement Committee. I have volunteered with wonderful individuals that meet regularly to discuss, formulate, and implement strategies for our members.

I also volunteer on the Mentorship Subcommittee. This committee helps to create opportunities for members to be a mentor or mentee. It’s a way for our members engage and learn from each other.

What motivates you to volunteer with aasp?
I enjoy meeting new people and sharing experiences. After attending Summit, I decided to give back to our profession by volunteering. I am motivated to continue volunteering with aasp because it’s a great community of various individuals from many fundraising sectors across the world.

Which events have you attended?
I have attended aasp Summit and some aasp webinars in the past.

Recently, (Summit 2023) I was Summit Buddy. I had the opportunity to share the conference experience with a first-timer.

How have you benefited professionally and/or personally by volunteering with aasp?
I would say my creative skills have increased by volunteering with aasp. As an Associate Director Operations, creativity is essential in working with various groups at the University. The saying “one size fits all” doesn’t cut it as we strive to be more efficient and effective in advancement. We have the ability to store vast amounts of information (in the office or at home), the ability to organize information by individuals’ donors, groups or unknown will take a creative/innovative solution. The ability to tap into the “best practices”, webinars and networking will continue to benefit me as I continue to improve other strengths.

What are you most excited about with aasp for 2024?

I'm excited about growing our membership base. I am even more excited about Summit occurring this year in New Orleans. Hopefully, I will meet some new members.

Other than your volunteerism with aasp and your career what are your interests/passions?
When I am not volunteering with aasp, I am an active member of The Black Canadian Fundraisers’ Collective (BCFC). The BCFC is a group of Black identifying people, rooted in the historic African tradition of Ubuntu, “I am because you are.”

When I am not sitting at my computer I like to exercise, and in the summer months I do Dragon Boating with the TRC (Toronto Running Club).

I am working on completing my 2nd half marathon this spring in Toronto.

Andrea Daub

Development Information Systems Manager
University of Southern Indiana

Volunteer roles for aasp:
Membership Operations committee volunteer March 2022 – December 2022, Membership Operations committee chair January 2023 – present

What motivates you to volunteer for aasp?
I was looking to add more volunteer experiences to my life in general as a way to give back and also to interact with others. There was no question in my mind that volunteering with aasp fit my role better than volunteering for other professional organizations. Also, I wanted to develop skills that I do not have the opportunity to work on in my current position.

What events or SUMMITs have you attended?
I’ve been to three in-person Summits – Chicago 2017, Chicago 2018, and New Orleans 2022. I try to attend webinars for continuing education.

What benefits do you and other members receive from attending aasp events?
I think being exposed to new ideas and ways of doing things is beneficial. I try to be a perpetual student (but I definitely could be better at it – especially applying what I learn). Seeing and hearing examples of how other institutions operate is eye-opening. I work in a very small shop in Indiana and the people in aasp are my people – the ones who speak my language and understand the challenges we face in our jobs. Attending in-person events can be therapeutic.

Do you have a memorable event or session you would like to comment on?
Two things. The first Summit I attended was in November 2017. The Chicago Hilton was decorated for Christmas and I really enjoyed the lobby decorations – especially the Christmas tree. Last year at Summit I ended up riding from the airport to the hotel on the shuttle with a fellow Hoosier aasp member I’d never met before. Small world indeed. We ended up grabbing a bite to eat and wandering around the French Quarter that afternoon.

Other than work and your involvement in aasp, what are your interests?
I used to run half marathons and even have a few marathons under my belt. Age caught up with me last year and my distance running days are over. I’m taking some time off and doing different classes at the gym. This past spring my family helped me redo the front landscaping at my house so I’m trying to keep all the plants alive. I also enjoy building Lego sets, dabbling with painting, and listening to music.