AFP/Alford Group Women’s Mentor Program Participants Announced For 2025

(Arlington, Virginia) The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has announced the participants — 11 mentors and 11 mentees — for its 2025 Women’s Mentor Program, sponsored by Alford Group. 

Part of AFP’s Women’s Impact Initiative, this program unites women in the nonprofit space, fostering connections that promote career growth and create an inclusive and equitable future for the fundraising profession.

This year’s mentors include:

• Kathi Barber, Director of Development at Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County
• Leah Burke, MPA, Director of Development, ATS NY Metro & Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at American Technion Society 
• Mandi Cambre, CFRE, Director of Development at The Historic New Orleans Collection
• Teresa Cheng, CFRE, Development Officer, Annual Fund & Stewardship at Seneca College    
• Alexandria Gates, CFRE, Director of Development at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
• Renee Thompson Gill, CFRE, Director of Philanthropy, Major and Transformational Gifts at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
• Amy Parker, CFRE, Chief Funding Officer at OpenSSL Software Foundation
• Emily Leitzinger, MS, CFRE, CNP, Senior East Coast Philanthropy Officer at American Farmland Trust
• Dr. Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, CFRE, CAP, GPC, ACNP, CEO at AQP Consulting
• Stacy Swanson, CFRE, Chief Development Officer at Interface Children & Family Services 
• Pinky Vincent Shubert, CFRE, Board Member at AFP Global

This year’s mentees include:

• Peri Johnson, Development Coordinator at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School
• Carissa Konesky, CFRE, Advancement Officer, Leadership Giving at Simon Fraser University
• Holly Moon, CFRE, Associate Director, Individual Giving at Institute for Sustainable Communities
• Jessica Moore, CFRE, Assistant Director, Philanthropy at New Hope Housing, Inc.
• Morgana Nieves, MBA, Director of Major Gifts at Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation
• Jamie Pimentel, Development Officer at Reach Out and Read, Northeast
• Alyse Polly, Associate Director of Program Development, NCGrowth at Kenan-Flagler Business School at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill logo
• Hannah Rockwood, Assistant Director of Development at Edison High School Portland Oregon
• Azha Simmons, Individual Giving Manager at Sunnyvale Community Services
• Abigail Taylor, Donor Services at the City of Brampton
• Vishakha Uppoor, Development Officer, Monthly Giving at Canuck Place Children's Hospice

"Mentorship is one of the most powerful tools for advancing women in fundraising, fostering not just career growth, but also confidence, leadership, and equity within our profession,” said Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, chair of the AFP/Alford Group Women’s Mentor Program. “The AFP/Alford Group Women’s Mentor Program creates a safe space where women can learn, grow, and build the connections necessary to shape a more inclusive and impactful philanthropic sector. In 2020, I had the honor of going through this program and to this day, my mentor, Diane Lebson, remains a steadfast supporter and partner in helping me navigate my fundraising career. By serving as chair and as a mentor this year, I look forward to helping cultivate the next generation of strong, visionary women in fundraising."

“For six years, Alford Group has championed the Women's Impact Initiative Mentor Program, fueled by our belief in the power of women leaders to shape a brighter future,” said Brenda Asare, president and CEO of Alford Group. “These extraordinary mentors and mentees are not simply the leaders of tomorrow; they are the catalysts for thriving communities today. By empowering them with the tools and guidance to flourish, we ignite their potential to create lasting, positive change across the nation.”

This year’s AFP/Alford Group Women’s Mentor Program mentors and mentees will participate in an eight-month long mentorship program, consisting of virtual meetings, as well as meetings at AFP ICON and AFP LEAD. Program pairs are matched based on compatibility of mentor expertise and mentee goals, ensuring that participants come away with the skills most relevant to them.

For more information about the AFP/Alford Group Women’s Mentor Program, contact Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, chair of the AFP/Alford Group Women’s Mentor Program. 
 

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Since 1960, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has been the standard-bearer for professionalism in fundraising. The association works to advance effective and ethical philanthropy by providing advocacy, research, education, mentoring, collaboration and technology opportunities for the world’s largest network of professional fundraisers. AFP’s more than 26,000 members in over 180 chapters raise over $100 billion annually for a wide variety of charitable organizations and causes across the globe. For more information, go to afpglobal.org.

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