AFP Announces Distinguished Fellows for 2021

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has announced its 2021 Distinguished Fellows: Alphonce J. Brown, ACFRE; Amy Eisenstein, ACFRE; Roberta (Robbe) A. Healey, MBA, NHA, ACFRE; Andrea McManus and Luce Moreau, CFRE.

The Distinguished Fellows Program recognizes individuals who have made significant leadership contributions to the association, philanthropy and the fundraising profession, and who will continue to advance ethical and effective fundraising through their volunteer and advisory work. The designation represents the pinnacle of service to the profession and to the tenets of giving, volunteerism and philanthropy.

There are currently 18 AFP Distinguished Fellows, with five new Fellows being recognized in the new year. AFP will recognize these new Fellows at its 2021 International Fundraising Conference, June 28-30, in Minneapolis, Minn.

Alphonce J. Brown, ACFRE

Brown possesses more than 30 years of experience in the fundraising profession and has raised more than $60 million throughout his tenure in philanthropy and development. He currently serves as the interim director of development and alumni relations at Stetson University College of Law located in Central Florida, and serves as president of Docere Consulting, Inc., located in Houston, Texas.

Brown has served in numerous leadership and development positions for a variety of organizations and institutions, including Philanthropic Services for Institutions; Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation; the National Minority AIDS Council; California State University; the National Kidney Foundation of Southeast Texas; Prairie View A&M University; UCLA School of Medicine; and the University of Texas at Austin.

In addition to his work in development, Brown made significant leadership contributions to AFP, including his service as AFP’s chair of the board in 2006 and 2007 when he overhauled the association’s governance system, grew membership from to 28,000, and led a diverse 20-member Strategic Planning Committee that was praised for its transparency and the creation of a plan that was approved unanimously by the board and membership. Under his leadership, AFP conducted a think tank on ethics and held the first meeting of the Industry Partners Council to better work with its for-profit partners.

“Working on AFP’s behalf has been more than just a part of vocation,” Brown said of his recognition as a Distinguished Fellow. “It has been central to preparing me for the work that I do each and every day, and it has been my pleasure to serve and give back whenever and however I can. I am truly honored.”

Amy Eisenstein, ACFRE

Eisenstein has raised more than $100 million during her fundraising career. In 2008, she created her own consulting firm and is now CEO of the Capital Campaign Toolkit. She is also a respected author and speaker, frequently speaking at AFP events and conferences.

Before becoming a consultant and co-founding the Capital Campaign Toolkit, Eisenstein served for more than ten years in the nonprofit sector as director of development in large and small nonprofit organizations, including the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College at Rutgers University, and Shelter Our Sisters, a domestic violence shelter. For these organizations, she raised millions of dollars through capital and annual campaigns, direct mail, major and planned gift solicitations, and fundraising events.

In addition to her philanthropic commitment, Eisenstein has been involved with AFP for more than 20 years. Eisenstein served on the board of the AFP New Jersey Chapter for nearly a decade, including serving as president of the board in 2014 and 2015. She was recognized by the AFP New Jersey Chapter with the Award for Consulting Excellence in 2019.

“I am honored and humbled to be included as an AFP Distinguished Fellow,” said Eisenstein. “It has been a highlight of my career to be a member of, and a volunteer with, AFP for more than two decades. I give AFP credit for teaching me the basics of professional fundraising when I first entered the field more than 20 years ago, and now it is my pleasure to give back in any way I can.”

Roberta (Robbe) A. Healey, MBA, NHA, ACFRE

Healey has served as a fundraising professional for more than 40 years, raising $50 million in her distinguished career. A founding member of Aurora Philanthropic Consulting, LLC, Healey possesses extensive experience in fundraising and nonprofit management. She has previously held leadership and development roles at Simpson Senior Services; The Hickman; Farr Healey Consulting; PresbyHomes Foundation; The Philadelphia Protestant Home; and currently serves as an adjunct professor for the public administration graduate program at Villanova University. Healey also served as a founding member of the LeadingAge Philanthropy Network and co-chair of the LeadingAge Philanthropy Cabinet.

In addition to her outstanding commitment to philanthropy, Healey has been an active member and strong advocate for AFP for more than 30 years. She served as chair of the AFP Board of Directors from 2009-2010, and completed 12 years of board service in December 2012. She is also the immediate past chair of the AFP Ethics Committee. An active member and past president of the AFP Greater Philadelphia Chapter, Healey was named the chapter’s 2001 Fundraising Executive of the Year. In 2013, AFP Global presented her with the Barbara Marion Award for Outstanding Leadership.

“AFP, then NSFRE, gave me a baseline and anchor when I entered the profession,” said Healey. “It has always been there for me, and I have done my best to give back and give forward. Peer recognition—affirming my giving back has been appreciated and recognized—is exceptionally gratifying. Our sector is blessed with dedicated professionals who strive to make the world a better place. I am honored to be considered one of them.”

Andrea McManus

McManus has been involved in the fundraising profession for more than 30 years, raised more than $200 million, and impacted philanthropic efforts throughout Canada, the United States and around the world.

She is the co-founder and senior counsel of ViTreo Group, a Western Canada-based consultancy that specializes in working with charities and nonprofit organizations. She also possesses extensive experience in the philanthropic sector, having served as the director of development and customer relations for Calgary Handi-Bus; executive director for The Grace Hospital Foundation; and as past president of The Development Group.

“I am so honoured to be selected for the Class of 2021 Distinguished Fellows Award,” said McManus. “There is nothing quite like being chosen and honoured by your peers, particularly for a professional award from AFP!”

In addition to her extensive work within the charitable sector, McManus has been a committed, professional member of AFP for more than 20 years, having served as the first non-American chair of the AFP Global Board from 2011-2012. She was honored by the AFP Calgary and Area Chapter with the 2007 Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award, and she received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2012 for her contributions to the nonprofit sector in Canada.

Luce Moreau, CFRE

In a career that has spanned 25 years, Moreau has raised millions and supported numerous charitable organizations through her service and leadership. She is the founder of her own consulting firm and carries extensive CEO and leadership experience within the profession, having previously served as president and CEO of the CHUM Foundation, one of the largest university hospitals in North America. She also held the title of president and CEO for the YWCA Foundation, as well as the Orchestre Métropolitain.

Moreau began her career in 1997 at the Fondation Jacques-Viger when it launched its first fundraising campaign, and in 1999 she transitioned to serve as its president and CEO. Moreau presided over the merger of the five existing foundations for these various units, and in July 2005 she became the President and CEO of the new Fondation CSSS Jeanne-Mance.

“I am deeply honored to be one of the first two Canadian AFP Distinguished Fellows,” said Moreau. “Merci to the Quebec Chapter for nominating me. My hometown is Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I’m a born and bred French Canadian. AFP has been the source of my greatest knowledge, guidance, colleagues and friends in a 25-year career, guided by the wisdom of some remarkably skilled fundraisers. Merci to Colette Murray who recognized my potential as an AFP leader at the 2004 Canadian Retreat in Halifax. My legacy project was pioneering translation to make our profession fully accessible to my Francophone colleagues globally, revealing the world to them. As a child, I experienced joy in bringing light to the lives of others. I am grateful to my family for nurturing my sense of compassion for others. This award is a beautiful crescendo to a career in the best profession in the world, one that has been remarkably gratifying.”

Moreau graduated from AFP’s Faculty Training Academy in 2006 and obtained her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential in November 2007. She annually attends major national and international conferences of AFP and actively provides professional training sessions in North America and abroad.

More information about the Distinguished Fellows program and the AFP International Conference on Fundraising can be obtained by contacting Michael Nilsen at Michael.Nilsen@afpglobal.org.