From Volunteer to Leader: Unlocking Career Paths Through Service

Lindsey Nadeau, CFRE, is vice president of philanthropy insight at UNICEF USA, where she guides the organization toward data-driven decision-making and automation across campaign planning, prospect research, relationship management, database management, reporting, analytics, gift processing, record management, and donor relations. She was previously the director of research and relationship management at The George Washington University, led development operations at the Center for American Progress, was an assistant director of prospect research and management at The American University, and held multiple roles (read: too many hats!) in development operations at Public Citizen.

Lindsey is president-elect of Apra International and previously served as secretary. She is a former president of Apra Metro DC, chaired Apra International’s Conference Planning Committee, and served on Apra International’s Nominations, Connections Editorial Advisory, Data Analytics Symposium, Apra Talks, and Body of Knowledge committees. She was also co-chair and faculty for CASE’s annual Prospect Development Conference and is a former chair of the AASP Prospect Development Best Practices Committee. She is an instructor of Relationship Management: Data, Policy, Insight at Rice University’s Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership and served on iWave’s Advisory Counsel. Lindsey contributed to CASE’s 2023 book Advancement Strategies: A Reference Guide for Advancement Services Professionals, 4th Edition. She holds a BA in economics from The American University and enjoys a charmed life in Reston, VA, as an equestrian, wife of a winemaker, and mom to her 7-year-old daughter.

Catherine Flaatten, MPH, CFRE, is the associate vice president of prospect development at BWF, where she advises nonprofit clients on building and strengthening programs in prospect research, 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 on Apra International’s Board of Directors, Education and Professional Development Committee, and Fundamentals Committee and has held numerous volunteer leadership roles with Apra International, Apra Metro DC, and aasp. She 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.

She earned both her BA in International Affairs and her MPH in Maternal and Child Health from The George Washington University.

Prisca is the Executive Director of Prospect Development at the University of South Carolina. She is a strategic, innovative, and collaborative fundraising research professional with over 21 years of experience. As a key member of the Prospect Research & Prospect Strategy, she leads her teams in supporting fundraising efforts for priority institutional initiatives, the office of the University President and Vice President, the central office fundraising teams,  and more than 16 schools, colleges, and units. At her prior position, she successfully led the Advancement Research and Prospect Management operations in closing out two comprehensive campaigns for the University of Georgia.