Sixteen years of nonprofit development experience across prestigious institutions, including Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, Harvard University, Boston College, the University of Tennessee, Louisiana Tech, and Kansas State University, has taught me that successful fundraising isn’t about templates. It’s about relationships and tailoring strategies to each organization’s unique culture and needs. While $150 million has been raised under my direct responsibility through personal donor portfolios and teams under my supervision, the sustained growth that my strategies have enabled far exceeds that total, creating lasting donor relationships and institutional stability that continue to generate results long after implementation.

The name Ask the Turtle comes from Gloria Steinem’s story about moving a turtle “to safety,” only to discover she’d disrupted its natural purpose and direction. My approach to development mirrors this lesson: organizations know where they want to go far better than any consultant possibly could. My role isn’t to set your destination but to identify the tailored philanthropic path that will get you there most effectively. Every nonprofit has its own unique culture, donor base, and mission-driven goals. Rather than imposing a predetermined strategy, I listen first, then design an approach that honors your organization’s natural direction while maximizing your fundraising potential.