Stewardship: From Transaction to Relationship-Building
Strong fundraising doesn’t end with a gift; it begins with what happens next. This professional development panel will explore how thoughtful stewardship can transform one-time transactions into lasting relationships by helping donors feel seen, valued, and connected to your mission. Panelists will share practical, personal approaches to donor engagement—from meaningful follow-up and storytelling to creative recognition strategies—that deepen trust, strengthen partnerships, and inspire more intentional, long-term giving.
Full participation in Stewardship: From Transaction to Relationship Building is applicable for 1.5 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
PANELISTS
Erin Yoder
Akron Children's Foundation
Erin is dedicated to fueling the philanthropy of healing and hope as the lead for Akron Children’s Foundation’s Direct Response program. A collaborative leader with over 15 years of experience, she mentors her team to blend the precision of data analytics with the heart of storytelling, connecting donors with the moments that matter most.
Anna Guy-Leach
The Children's Center of Medina County
Anna currently serves as Development Director for The Children’s Center of Medina County, whose mission is to nurture abused and neglected children through collaboration, advocacy, treatment and prevention. A highlight of her nine-year tenure at The Children’s Center was completing a Capital Campaign in 2021. Anna manages all development and fundraising activities at The Children’s Center. The Children’s Center recently suspended their two Annual Fundraising Events and combined them into one record breaking event.
Anna excels at developing new ideas and bringing the right people together to make a difference in our community. She enjoys working with other community nonprofits to share and discuss best practices and new ideas.
Sarah Wilschek
Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom
Sarah Wilschek is a nonprofit executive with skills and passion focused on strategic development, fiscal sustainability, and building personal connections; she is known for translating visions into reality. As the inaugural Executive Director of Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom (OBS), she has led one of the region’s most significant Jewish communal transformations—guiding the merger of three legacy congregations into a unified, forward-looking institution that now serves as the central hub of Jewish life in the Mahoning Valley.
She brings a results-driven, systems-thinking approach to leadership, with particular expertise in institutional change, donor engagement, and philanthropic growth. Sarah has played a key role in advancing OBS’s “Securing Our Future” capital campaign, helping to secure major gifts while cultivating a culture of multigenerational giving that connects legacy families with emerging leaders. Her work is grounded in building trust, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring that mission and financial sustainability move forward together.