Voices of Emerging Leaders: Allison Plattsmier

Voices of Emerging Leaders is a series that highlights the voices, accomplishments and commitment of young professionals in the fundraising sector.

1. How did you start your career in the fundraising profession, and what lead you there?

I first fell in love with fundraising while serving as a team leader for the Tennessee Kidney Foundation's Gift of Life Walk. The first year serving as a team leader, I led the highest fundraising school team, and during my second year, I was the fifth highest individual fundraiser. This opportunity was one of the first times I realized the monumental impact fundraising could make in mission attainment and the pure joy of relationship building with donors. My first job in the profession was serving as a special events intern for the American Diabetes Association, taking the lead on planning and executing their Chattanooga Tour de Cure. 

2. What is a current challenge you or your peers face in your professional fundraising career?

 I have had a bit of an unconventional career trajectory as a fundraiser. I became an executive director for the first time at 22. I have always served in executive director roles for very small organizations, so I got to wear all the hats (i.e., fundraising, grant writing, operations, human resources, program management, and other roles.).

However, small organizations typically struggle with financial stability. Many of the organizations I worked for either lacked the infrastructure to support an executive director role or hired an executive director before they were financially capable of supporting the position, so I have not had the opportunity to serve for an extended period.

This has pigeon-holed me when looking for new opportunities because the larger organizations that offer stability are often harder to get into. Even though I would welcome stepping into a development director role at a larger organization, I often hear that once you've been an executive director, you won't want to "take a step back.”

So, from my perspective, I think many fundraisers struggle with career trajectory. There appears to be no singular linear path for a fundraising professional, and there vastly different structures of development departments that can make upward mobility and consistent career progression difficult. 

3. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Honestly, receiving AFP's Outstanding Young Professional Award in 2018 was – and still is – my proudest achievement. My fundraising numbers are small compared to what other honorees have achieved, but since I was typically the only fundraiser on my team, I scrapped for every dollar I raised. I was honored to be recognized at such a young age and alongside Dzenan Berberovic, a phenomenal fundraiser and someone I aspire to be like. 

4. Talk a little bit about a mentor/coach/boss you’ve had that has helped you in your career.

There are so many. One person that sticks out to me is Jann Seymour. She was my boss while I was development director of NeedLink Nashville. Working for her was the first time I truly felt like a person first and an employee second. In a high burn out profession, the extra care she took to ensure her team’s mental and physical wellness was astounding. She also offered frequent, constructive feedback that allowed me to grow as a fundraiser, and I still talk to her regularly for advice on navigating my career. I am also super grateful for my mentor in AFP's Women's Impact Initiative Leadership Development Program, Diane Lebson. This has been a unique and stressful year, and she is helping me navigate the climate and my next moves with empathy, grace, expertise and passion.

5. How has AFP and the community (AFP Global or your chapter) helped you with your success?

AFP has been instrumental in my development as a fundraiser. When I first joined the Nashville chapter, I relished the opportunity to learn and develop through the programming and various speakers. However, attending AFP ICON in 2018 was a significantly transformative experience for me and sparked my passion for getting even more involved with AFP Global. Since that conference, I have served as a judge for the young professional award for the last two years and joined the Emerging Leaders Task Force earlier year. 

I was grateful to be invited by Kishshana Palmer to be a panel speaker at both AFP LEAD and AFP WII in 2019. I have formed many friendships and professional partnerships that have resulted in book projects, speaking opportunities and consulting clients. While I did not get to proceed with my scheduled sessions at this year's ICON, I hope to speak at next year's event.

Finally, my participation in the Women's Impact Initiative Leadership Development Program has been a lifeline during one of the most challenging years in my professional career. AFP has not only shaped who I have become as a fundraiser by creating the foundation for my fundraising philosophy, but it has also fostered life-long relationships that will continue to grow and prosper throughout my career. 

6. What is your dream job? 

This is a hard one for me. I am at a crossroads right now where I feel my career can go in a few different directions, but here are a few dream paths:

1) Grow my consulting practice to where I am considered a thought-leader with the likes of Vu Le or Joan Garry;

2) Become the executive director of a national nonprofit focused on gender equity/parity;

3) Establish a foundation that provides no-hassle funding to nonprofits so we can stop all the hoop-jumping and feast-famine cycle so many nonprofits are dealing with year over year; and

4) Establish a nonprofit incubator/accelerator/equity alliance that helps foster collective impact through coworking spaces, free education, startup funding, board training, and mentorship.