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I love this idea Jessica and am happy to add to this thread!

• Your name & organization: Traci Weller, Montana State University Alumni Foundation
• Where in Montana you're located: Bozeman, MT
• How long you've been in fundraising: 33+ years
• What area of fundraising you enjoy most: What energizes me most in fundraising is working directly with individual donors. I enjoy the consultative aspect of understanding their values, goals, and passions, then helping them develop philanthropic strategies that achieve greater impact. At its core, it's about building trusted relationships and empowering people to give smarter, not just more.
• One thing you're currently working on or hoping to learn more about: I'm focused on two areas right now. First, I'm continuing to strengthen my presentation and facilitation skills so I can engage larger audiences with the same effectiveness I bring to one-on-one donor conversations. Second, I'm interested in learning more about the future of philanthropy, particularly multi-generational giving and how estate and gift planning can help donors align their values, family legacy, and charitable goals. Through my involvement with AFP Montana, I'm also passionate about building stronger connections among fundraising professionals across the state.
• And, just for fun… something people might not know about you! When I was 9 years old, I rode my first ever Century ride (100 miles) in one day.

I look forward to connecting with fellow fundraisers across the state and learning from each of you. If you're ever passing through Bozeman, please reach out. I'm always looking to expand my "tribe" of fundraisers, share ideas, and build meaningful relationships with others who are passionate about philanthropy.

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Traci Weller
Montana State University Foundation
Bozeman MT
(406) 579-4057
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Traci,

Wow 33+ years! That's amazing! No wonder you're so brilliant! 😀

I love this idea Jessica and am happy to add to this thread!

• Your name & organization: Traci Weller, Montana State University Alumni Foundation
• Where in Montana you're located: Bozeman, MT
• How long you've been in fundraising: 33+ years
• What area of fundraising you enjoy most: What energizes me most in fundraising is working directly with individual donors. I enjoy the consultative aspect of understanding their values, goals, and passions, then helping them develop philanthropic strategies that achieve greater impact. At its core, it's about building trusted relationships and empowering people to give smarter, not just more.
• One thing you're currently working on or hoping to learn more about: I'm focused on two areas right now. First, I'm continuing to strengthen my presentation and facilitation skills so I can engage larger audiences with the same effectiveness I bring to one-on-one donor conversations. Second, I'm interested in learning more about the future of philanthropy, particularly multi-generational giving and how estate and gift planning can help donors align their values, family legacy, and charitable goals. Through my involvement with AFP Montana, I'm also passionate about building stronger connections among fundraising professionals across the state.
• And, just for fun… something people might not know about you! When I was 9 years old, I rode my first ever Century ride (100 miles) in one day.

I look forward to connecting with fellow fundraisers across the state and learning from each of you. If you're ever passing through Bozeman, please reach out. I'm always looking to expand my "tribe" of fundraisers, share ideas, and build meaningful relationships with others who are passionate about philanthropy.

------------------------------
Traci Weller
Montana State University Foundation
Bozeman MT
(406) 579-4057
------------------------------

Sounds fun! I'm game.

• Your name & organization: Kira Huck, Community Health Alliance
• Where in Montana you're located: Missoula
• How long you've been in fundraising: 13 years -- but very few were strictly fundraising. I've always worked for very small nonprofits where you wear multiple hats. I started in a development role, but most of my roles have been a combination of things that also included fundraising. Now as an ED, it's certainly an important aspect of my job.
• What area of fundraising you enjoy most: Two things. 1. Building relationships with our donors. 2. Helping connect people to/contribute to a greater good.
• One thing you're currently working on or hoping to learn more about: Planned giving -- specifically, having those conversations with donors and better understanding all of the planned giving vehicles.
• And, just for fun… something people might not know about you! 😊: When I was in elementary, I won the geography bee and the spelling bee in the same year. And then never participated in either one again 😆, much to my teachers' dismay.

Traci,

Wow 33+ years! That's amazing! No wonder you're so brilliant! 😀

I love this idea Jessica and am happy to add to this thread!

• Your name & organization: Traci Weller, Montana State University Alumni Foundation
• Where in Montana you're located: Bozeman, MT
• How long you've been in fundraising: 33+ years
• What area of fundraising you enjoy most: What energizes me most in fundraising is working directly with individual donors. I enjoy the consultative aspect of understanding their values, goals, and passions, then helping them develop philanthropic strategies that achieve greater impact. At its core, it's about building trusted relationships and empowering people to give smarter, not just more.
• One thing you're currently working on or hoping to learn more about: I'm focused on two areas right now. First, I'm continuing to strengthen my presentation and facilitation skills so I can engage larger audiences with the same effectiveness I bring to one-on-one donor conversations. Second, I'm interested in learning more about the future of philanthropy, particularly multi-generational giving and how estate and gift planning can help donors align their values, family legacy, and charitable goals. Through my involvement with AFP Montana, I'm also passionate about building stronger connections among fundraising professionals across the state.
• And, just for fun… something people might not know about you! When I was 9 years old, I rode my first ever Century ride (100 miles) in one day.

I look forward to connecting with fellow fundraisers across the state and learning from each of you. If you're ever passing through Bozeman, please reach out. I'm always looking to expand my "tribe" of fundraisers, share ideas, and build meaningful relationships with others who are passionate about philanthropy.

------------------------------
Traci Weller
Montana State University Foundation
Bozeman MT
(406) 579-4057
------------------------------