Prospect research and frontline fundraising don't always talk to each other as much as they should, even though they're working the same pipeline. In this "fireside chat", local philanthropy leaders representing Apra, AFP Chicago, and West Suburban Philanthropy Network sit down to talk communication, collaboration, and building a mutual understanding between frontline gift officers and back-of-house researchers. The discussion will also turn to the "what's in, and what's out" of fundraising industry trends, both within prospect development specifically and across the field more broadly. Finally, the panelists will speak to how Symposium attendees can best leverage local professional association involvement to support their own personal and professional development. Expect candid perspectives on where research creates the most value, and practical takeaways for teams looking to work as one.
Speaker Bios:
Catherine Flaatten, MPH, CFRE is the Associate Vice President of Prospect Development at BWF Zuri, where she helps clients strengthen their fundraising strategies and results through prospect research, prospect management, and analytics. Her consulting is grounded in past practitioner experience at The George Washington University, Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry, the National Psoriasis Foundation, and the BrightFocus Foundation.
Catherine serves as president-elect on Apra International’s Board of Directors. She has held numerous other volunteer leadership roles with Apra and aasp. Catherine is a frequent presenter and author in the field, and her expertise has been featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Her contributions aim to position prospect development as a strategic driver of fundraising success and strengthen the profession through knowledge-sharing and leadership.
Kelsey Nelson is a Vice President of Fundraising at Campbell & Company. Kelsey’s passion for nonprofits drives her efforts to help them achieve and sustain growth through the power of philanthropy. She enjoys partnering with organizations on strategic goal setting and intentional relationship building, always looking for opportunities to leverage their existing strengths.
Prior to joining Campbell & Company in 2016, Kelsey worked in the University of Michigan’s central development office. As Assistant Director of Annual Giving, she co-created a fiscal year solicitation plan, wrote university-wide direct mail and e-solicitations, and provided ongoing analyses of fundraising efforts to a portfolio of ten schools, colleges, and units. Additionally, she facilitated educational workshops for annual giving officers and helped implement qualification and non-donor acquisition pilot projects. Kelsey began her career in philanthropy at the Adler Planetarium, where she worked closely with the Board of Trustees and oversaw special events, publications, and partnerships designed to advance the Adler’s mission.
Kelsey holds an MA in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BA in History of Art & Architecture and French from Middlebury College. She serves as President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Chicago's Board of Directors, and she is a member of Girls on the Run Chicago’s Finish Line Council. In her free time, she enjoys running, cross-country skiing, and learning more about construction equipment than she ever thought she would thanks to her 4- and 1.5-year-old boys.
Kate Bousum, CFRE is a seasoned fundraising leader with experience across higher education, social services, and nonprofit sectors. She currently serves as the Vice President for Philanthropy at Aspire, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting people with disabilities to greater possibilities through learning, jobs, and safe places to call home. In this role, Kate leads the dynamic, high-performing philanthropy team, fostering a strong culture of philanthropy and strategic relationships to achieve the organization’s goals and inspire communities where people of all abilities live, learn, and work together.
A passionate advocate for the nonprofit sector, Kate has presented at conferences and education sessions on a variety of fundraising topics. She is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals Chicago Chapter, where she serves on the Continuous Learning Council and as a faculty member and coordinator for the Fundamentals of Fundraising. She is also engaged with the West Suburban Philanthropic Network and the Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to her leadership roles, Kate provides fundraising consulting for small and mid-sized nonprofits, helping to increase their philanthropic impact and improve donor engagement. She holds a degree in Communications/Public Relations from Purdue University and the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential. Kate’s contributions to the field have been recognized with several honors, including the President’s Award from the West Suburban Philanthropic Network, the Benjamin Franklin Award from AFP Chicago, and the Under 40 Leadership Award from the Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce.
