Most people who attend AFP meetings and join AFP are on the development team, with titles such as director of development, annual fund manager, grant writer, special events coordinator, or database specialist. But my title at Care Ring is Chief Program Officer, and I am responsible for the strategic direction and operations of our healthcare programs.

That's right I'm a "program person." I believe fundraising is important to all of us who work in and with non-profit organizations. Programs and development are tied together like yin and yang, neither able to do our jobs without excellent planning and results from the other. I say all the time that the funds we raise support our programs, and our programs support our fundraising. It is important to the people we serve and the team providing services that donors understand and support our work. That is why I stay abreast of important fundraising topics through my AFP membership and attendance at meetings.