Movers and Shakers 2015

Liz Henderson discovers Andrew Sabatino’s path from “agency land” to transforming fundraising, especially face-to-face, at Guide Dogs SA/NT. Liz Henderson discovers Andrew Sabatino’s path from “agency land” to transforming fundraising, especially face-to-face, at Guide Dogs SA/NT. Andrew Sabatino’s background is corporate marketing and serving corporate and nonprofit clients in “agency land” – first in Australia, then the UK working with the likes of Amnesty International. His first nonprofit role was at Barnardo’s UK in 2006, where he learnt common fundraising practices. He later worked at one of the UK nonprofit sector’s leading agencies, Whitewater Creative, where he developed his fundraising principles. He joined Guide Dogs SA/NT in 2009 at “co-ordinator…

A former playwright, Paige Gibbs is now re-scripting the fundraising activities at RSPCA NSW. Liz Henderson asks her about her approach and what drives her. A former playwright, Paige Gibbs is now re-scripting the fundraising activities at RSPCA NSW. Liz Henderson asks her about her approach and what drives her. You wouldn’t necessarily have to be receiving RSPCA NSW’s direct mail appeals to have read some compelling writing by Paige Gibbs, the charity’s Executive Manager Fundraising and Communications. If you were in high school, chances are one of your English textbooks would be her play, Lockie Leonard, Human Torpedo, an adaptation of the Tim Winton novel. As an up-and-coming playwright,…

Rebecca Hazell is laying a foundation for a best practice development approach at the University of Newcastle, Liz Henderson learns. Rebecca Hazell is laying a foundation for a best practice development approach at the University of Newcastle, Liz Henderson learns. A young Rebecca Hazell had five dream jobs in mind – among them, journalist and musician. But she says: “I must have had fundraising in my veins.” In Year 11 in Sydney’s western outskirts, and already a veteran of MS Readathons and Jump Rope for Heart, “I had an opportunity to go to a drama camp and at that time, affording to go was a challenge for my family,” she…

While learning the ropes as fundraising manager at Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, Rebecca Cuthill is achieving a tidy annual rise in donations of 10-15%, Liz Henderson learns. While learning the ropes as fundraising manager at Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, Rebecca Cuthill is achieving a tidy annual rise in donations of 10-15%, Liz Henderson learns. Imagine you’re in your first fundraising role managing a tiny team of one and a half people. And in your first three years, your organisation sees an annual rise in donations of a tidy 10-15% – at the same time as you’re learning the ropes. This was what happened at Save the Tasmanian Devil…

Indiana Jones was her role model growing up and her fundraiser career reflects her intrepid spirit, Liz Henderson finds. Indiana Jones was her role model growing up and her fundraiser career reflects her intrepid spirit, Liz Henderson finds. Former colleagues describe Gwen Green as a bold leader. While the 42-year-old hasn’t quite followed in the footsteps of Indiana Jones, her role model growing up in England, her adventurousness and energy have shaped her fundraising career. Starting at around age five, “from school fêtes to sponsored walks and runs, I was always raising funds for something,” she says. “The defining moment was when I took part in an overseas challenge, trekking…

Liz Henderson reveals the secrets of success of the fundraiser who says being good at her job means being “invisible.” Liz Henderson reveals the secrets of success of the fundraiser who says being good at her job means being “invisible.” “If I am being really good at my role, I am invisible,” says Susanne Williamson, CFRE. Her goal is connecting charities with stakeholders in relationships that will lead to gifts being made while she stays in the background. However, with the wisdom and skill she has amassed over more than 25 years holding senior marketing and fundraising positions at charities including the Heart Foundation, the Arts Centre Melbourne, Monash University…

The general manager marketing and fundraising at Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) is one of the most progressive and impressive fundraising executives going around – and the nicest, Jeremy Bradshaw discovers. The general manager marketing and fundraising at Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) is one of the most progressive and impressive fundraising executives going around – and the nicest, Jeremy Bradshaw discovers. Since joining Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) six years ago Marcus Blease has racked up a solid list of achievements including: more than doubling annual fundraising income from $14 million to $29 million a year; overseeing a successful re-brand of the organisation (originally known as The Spastic Centre); introducing a new…