| SARA ANELLO, CO-PRESIDENT Senior Pipeline and Portfolio Analyst, The George Washington University Sara Anello is Senior Portfolio and Pipeline Analyst at The George Washington University. Nine years into her career in prospect development, Sara approaches her relationship management work with frontline fundraisers with intentional warmth and analytical precision alike. She drives portfolio optimization and pipeline accuracy through close collaboration with her school and unit frontline partners as a member of GW’s RRM team. Her Apra volunteerism began in earnest in 2020 with Apra Maryland and included speaker engagement as well as service as Membership Chair. Sara also served as Apra Maryland co-president in 2024 and 2025, and contributed to the vision and strategy to unite Apra Maryland and Apra Metro DC. Additionally, Sara has volunteered for Apra International, first as a member of the Advocacy Committee in 2020-2021, and most recently as a member of the 2026 Nominations Committee. The unique camaraderie and generosity of the prospect development community powers her motivation to volunteer for Apra. |
| NATALIE WALDEN, CO-PRESIDENT Senior Associate Director, Prospect Management, The Johns Hopkins University Natalie Walden is the Senior Associate Director of Prospect Management at Johns Hopkins University & Medicine, where she leads the Relationship Management function within the institution’s central Relationship Management and Prospect Analytics team. While overseeing this team, Natalie partners closely with development leaders across the university and Medicine to advance portfolio optimization, strengthen proposal and pipeline management, and deliver data‑driven reporting and analytics that support major and principal gift strategy. Natalie brings nearly a decade of experience in prospect development, fundraising strategy, and advancement operations. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, she built a strong foundation in frontline fundraising support and strategy at The George Washington University, Hillel International, and Capital Camps & Retreat Center. In addition to her professional work, Natalie has been an active volunteer leader within Apra since 2023. She served on the board of Apra Metro DC and now serves as Co‑President of the newly merged Apra DC‑MD chapter, helping guide the chapter through an exciting period of transition and growth. |
| ILANA NEWMAN, SECRETARYSenior Research Analyst, The Wilderness Society Ilana Newman has held roles at the Philadelphia Art Museum, the Kennedy Center, the Aspen Institute, and the Museum of Modern of Art, supporting and guiding the unique prospect research and management needs for a wide variety of constituencies, including individual giving, institutional giving, special events, and executive leadership. She holds a BA in History and Environmental Studies from Wesleyan University. In her free time, you can find her baking, in ballet class, or reading about environmental history. |
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| NESTOR ASHBERY, TREASURER Senior Data Analyst, The Johns Hopkins University |
| MARCUS HARDRICK, COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR Prospect Research Coordinator, International Fund for Animal Welfare Marcus Hardrick is an emerging fundraising professional with a unique background in the arts. Holding both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in arts-related fields, Marcus used his eye for creative solutions to transition into the scene of fundraising-related data. Marcus joined the APRA Maryland board in January 2024 and is excited to meet all the development professionals during his tenure. In his free time, Marcus loves traveling to national parks, learning new instruments, and playing chess. |
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| LANELL PATRICK, MEMBERSHIP CHAIR Advancement Research Analyst, Loyola University Maryland For more than 25 years, Lanell’s work in marketing and fundraising has garnered significant funding in support of organization initiatives, enabling growth and corporate performance in the public and private sectors. In her current role as the Advancement Research Analyst at Loyola University Maryland, Lanell supports the strategic direction of the advancement and alumni engagement teams. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, kayaking, and adventures with her husband and son. |
| KRISTIN VITALE, EVENTS CHAIR Manager, Events & Research, National Aquarium Kristin has 10 years’ experience planning donor events and facilitating her team’s and the executive office’s research needs. Prior to her current role, she coordinated her department’s grant proposals and reporting cycles. Having graduated from Towson University majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing, her time in marketing translated well to the nonprofit sector, particularly building relationships with donors through events. |
 | M. NAYELI GARCIA, BUSINESS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CHAIR Founder & CEO, Chameleon Collaborative Nayeli launched Chameleon Collaborative, LLC in early 2024 after 25+ years of working in various nonprofit settings including education, the arts, social justice, and environmental sustainability. She is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, supports clients through fractional appointments, and is creating a collaborative space for independent consultants to support one another and combine their strengths for the benefit of clients. Described by colleagues as a big idea person, she draws from her experiences internationally and from the private, government, and nonprofit sectors to activate visions and create growth. After spending most of her life in urban centers, she now lives in a rural setting where she is realizing her dream of owning a homestead. Nayeli is thrilled to be a part of Apra DC-MD and welcomes any inquiries about partnerships and collaborations with our chapter. |
| FRANK CHOI, AT-LARGE Director of Advancement Services, Montgomery College With 20 years in the Development field, Frank Choi has focused much of his career in prospect research and management. He has worked at varied institutions such as The Philadelphia Orchestra, Temple University, Johns Hopkins University, Children's National Medical Center, and McDaniel College. Throughout his career, Frank has managed databases and leveraged wealth screening platforms to direct prospect research and pipeline management. |
INTERESTED IN SERVING? Interested in joining the Apra DC-MD board? Self-nominations and nominations of colleagues are welcomed. Email us at [email protected] for more information. | JOIN NOW Apra DC-MD is the premier association of DC- and Maryland-affiliated prospect research, analytics, and relationship management professionals. Join TODAY! |
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