The first Apra-MN conference I attended was only a month after I started working in prospect research for St. Catherine University. I remember Andrea Dowd, then-President of the Apra-MN chapter, taking the time to greet me individually. I also remember learning from a presentation on fundraiser metrics given by Emily Maple, who is now my direct supervisor. These interactions validated my interest in the field and encouraged me to continue my work.

A year later, attending my second conference, the news had been given to my now coworkers that I would be joining their team. I was able to begin getting to know to them personally, and I felt like I was about to embark on a new and exciting journey with a friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable group. 

This year, I was fortunate to attend the conference as a board member. In a relatively quick time, I had been introduced, welcomed, and accepted by this wonderful professional community. I am very grateful for this. So much, indeed, that at the conference I was able to connect with someone fairly new to the field and convey my appreciation for it and this peer network, as well as some of what I’ve learned during my time in the profession. I have heard that people working in prospect development are generally some of the most generous, intelligent, and hardworking people. It is crucial for us to share learnings, expertise, experience, and wherewithal, to continue cultivating effective and collaborative outcomes. This has definitely been my experience and it is a pleasure and a privilege considering myself part of this group. I’m excited to imagine what next year’s conference brings.

-Grace De Jong, Communications Co-Chair