Fundraising While Female: Navigating and Thriving as Women Professionals in Philanthropy

In a nod to Women's History Month, Apra Maryland is proud to host a panel called "Fundraising While Female". Women comprise a significant portion of the fundraising workforce. In some fundraising functions such as prospect development, they often represent the majority. Female fundraising professionals bring incredible value to the sector. At the same time, women in fundraising experience myriad challenges: sexism, microaggressions, the "glass ceiling", the "ambition penalty", being underpaid for the same work in comparison to men, lower likelihood of promotion, and higher load of caregiving responsibilities. The panel will discuss lived experiences in navigating obstacles and injustice, exploring how the fundraising and prospect development industries are affected by historical power structures, and what can be done to change them for greater equity for women and other marginalized identities. We will explore how to progressively grow from surviving and coping, to thriving despite challenges in the environment. We will explore avenues for women in fundraising to embody solidarity with each other, and share actionable ways for men to contribute as allies. 

Please join us live, as this event will not be recorded. 

Panelists

Char Manlove-Laws

Prospect Engagement and Major Gifts Director

National Aquarium

Christa Traeger

Manager of Prospect Research

Mercersburg Academy

Joanna Schofield

Development Officer

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Nayeli Garcia Mowbray

Principal Consultant

Chameleon Collaborative

Moderated by

Sara Anello, Apra Maryland Co-President

Senior Portfolio and Pipeline Analyst

The George Washington University

Note from the moderator: For some women (and especially those with one or more other marginalized identities including BIPOC, disability, etc.) this topic may be triggering or traumatic. Your mental health comes first, before sharing and educating others. My heart in assembling this panel is that we would, as a community, talk about something that often is so unaddressed and find support in one another.