Greater Baton Rouge Chapter, Association of Fundraising Professionals Monthly Training Session

Nikki Godfrey has over 20 years of experience as a respected leader in both public and private sectors, specializing in strategic communication, higher education, event production, and diversity initiatives. At Emergent Method, she leads client engagements leveraging her communication expertise and knowledge of the Louisiana community. Nikki is certified in Hogan Assessments and Everything DiSC® and recently earned a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida.

Previously, she was the assistant commissioner for public affairs at the Louisiana Board of Regents, where she developed communication campaigns for higher education. She also directed promotions and event management at Louisiana State University and worked at ESPN for 11 years, leading major sporting events while participating in diversity recruiting efforts.

Nikki holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Southern University, a Master of Science in Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Louisiana State University. She is active in her community through various leadership roles and serves on multiple boards, including the Brace B. Godfrey Foundation and the Epilepsy Alliance Louisiana.

Danny Fields, CFRE, is a certified fundraising executive, an experienced sales and business development professional, and a demonstrated organizational and community leader. He launched Daniel J. Fields Consulting in 2020 specializing in philanthropy and business development, public affairs, corporate social responsibility, and organizational leadership development and strategy. He serves nonprofit, corporate, and entrepreneurial clients.

Danny previously served for 14 years on the leadership team at Our Lady of the Lake Foundation, where he helped raise over $70 Million, primarily in support of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital. Danny led the Foundation’s efforts in Major Giving, Annual Giving, Planned Giving, Data and Stewardship. For 12 of those years, he managed all national and local fundraising partnerships, programs, events, and activities associated with the local Children’s Miracle Network fundraising program at Our Lady of the Lake. Several of his fundraising campaigns garnered national attention and awards. He previously served as the Children’s Miracle Network South Region Hospital Relations Representative, serving 25 hospital foundations in LA, MS, AL, FL, GA, and Puerto Rico from 2014-2016.

In addition to his consulting practice, Danny is actively involved with launching a new company, Cremmjoy, serving as Chief Development Officer and Board Member. He recently guided the company through a successful seed funding round, raising over $1.8 million from investors and grants and is currently raising an additional $2.8 million in Series A Investor round funding.

He is a Past President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Baton Rouge Chapter and is the 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Professional Fundraiser award. Danny is a 2014 graduate of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s Leadership program and served as Past Chair of the Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni Board. He is a Past President and Public Relations chair of the Cortana Kiwanis Board. He previously served on the board of the Charles W. Lamar YMCA. In 2018, Danny was recognized as one of Baton Rouge’s Top 40 Under 40 by the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report and was also recognized by Cortana Kiwanis as Kiwanian of the Year. He was recognized with the Excellence in Sales and Marketing award by the Sales and Marketing Executives of Baton Rouge. Danny serves on the steering committee of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Baton Rouge and proudly supports the St. Joseph’s Academy Entrepreneurship program.

Danny started his career working for a local Baton Rouge business, River Road Coffee Company, where he managed and developed a large territory that included over 130 clients, including restaurants, offices, and retail stores. Danny graduated in 2005 from Louisiana State University (LSU) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management (concentration in Entrepreneurship). He obtained the CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) credential in 2019.

Danny has been married to Melony Fields for 19 years and they have 2 teenage daughters, Adeline and Noella. He enjoys running, swimming, biking, cooking, singing, traveling, and volunteering.