How has your career evolved since its beginning? 

My first development-related job was doing data entry to support an emergency campaign to fix a leaking roof at our campus ministry parish - scouring old church bulletins and tickets from a raffle years earlier to find relevant names that were not in the database. The parish had no staff other than the pastor at that time, and I eventually became the first development director there (with no other development experience). Over the course of seven years I had the privilege of building the development program at the parish to include a strong annual fund and monthly giving program, major giving program, and a capital campaign. I worked part-time for Petrus as a consultant for four years before coming onboard full time in 2022.

What are some career highlights? 

When I started in my position as development director at the campus ministry the organization did not have a website or any online giving capabilities. With some concentrated effort we built the online monthly giving program to over 200 participants bringing in more than $200,000 per year, which by itself was well over the total annual fund of the organization the year before I started.

What mistakes and valuable lessons have you learned from? 

If you do not take the time to build a relationship and level of trust with a prospect you will be unlikely to connect them with the ministry as a long-term donor. My main focus is on consistency - setting and hitting goals week after week, month after month. It is not just a cliche - no really often is a slow yes. Connect with other development professionals and stay in touch with them. They will give you great ideas for your ministry's development and help you through any tough times.

Favorite thing about development? 

Meeting people in all different walks of life and fields of work as I go around and meet donors and prospects.

Read more about Rhen here.

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