Senior Manager Advancement Operations | Advancement, Division of External Engagement
Adelaide University
Change, Transformation and Optimisation: Real Stories, Real Challenges, Real Results
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group (Cont.)
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group (Cont.)
Team Lead, Core Services
Blackbaud Pacific
Genn has been a proud member of the Blackbaud Pacific team for almost ten years, wearing a variety of hats from Senior Consultant to Solutions Engineer and more recently Team Leader for Core Services.
Genn has a wealth of experience in the not-for-profit world, having worked extensively with customers across the Asia-Pacific region; from Pakistan all the way to New Zealand where she is currently based. Whilst her speciality lies in Higher Education, having been a Database Administrator for the University of Cambridge’s Major Gift Office, she is passionate about all things Raiser’s Edge NXT and is a self-professed “Data Geek”.
When she’s not on the clock, Genn is chasing her three boys (Jim, Bertie and Tommy) around the wilds of the North Island of New Zealand with her Griffon, Cujo, in tow, or looking wistfully at her Honda CBR wishing she didn’t have to be so responsible nowadays…
Change, Transformation and Optimisation: Real Stories, Real Challenges, Real Results
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group (Cont.)
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group (Cont.)
Sr Director of Product, Donor Management & Fundraising
Blackbaud
Andrea Avtjoglou is the Senior Director of Product, Fundraising & Donor Management at Blackbaud. In this role, Andrea leads product strategy and innovation across Blackbaud's donor management portfolio, including solutions that help nonprofits, educational institutions, and other social impact organizations build stronger donor relationships and accelerate fundraising outcomes. She is passionate about delivering customer-centered products that combine data, analytics, AI, and thoughtful user experiences to help organizations advance their missions more effectively.
Andrea brings more than two decades of experience in data analytics, product management, and technology leadership. Throughout her career, she has focused on transforming complex data into actionable insights and building innovative products that solve real customer challenges. She is a strong advocate for responsible AI, emphasizing ethics, security, transparency, and measurable customer value.
Andrea is known for bringing together cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions, drive meaningful business outcomes, and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous learning. She is proud of her team's reputation as innovators, problem-solvers, and early adopters of emerging technologies.
When she is not working to deliver transformative products for the social impact sector, Andrea is a single mom of two teenaged boys who keep her busy with school, sports, music, and adventure. She enjoys traveling the world and discovering great food wherever she goes.
Raiser’s Edge NXT: The Next Chapter for Fundraising Teams
Senior Individual Giving Advisor
New Zealand Red Cross
Luke Ball is the Senior Individual Giving advisor at New Zealand Red Cross. Originally from the UK, he developed an interest in data while working with the NHS before making the move to New Zealand 3 years ago.
Since then, he’s worked across fundraising analytics and individual giving, helping fundraising teams use data to better understand supporters and make smarter decisions. Luke enjoys solving problems, using insights and uncovering opportunities and tools to improve fundraising results.
Innovation When Nothing Is Getting Easier: How Growth Happened Anyway
Associate Director, Business Intelligence
University of Auckland
As Associate Director, Business Intelligence at the University of Auckland, John leads the Prospect Research, Data and Analytics, and Gift Operations teams. His approach focuses on translating the technical into the simple, encouraging everyone across the Advancement team to make the most of the information available to them. John has always been a willing early adopter — he's used the SKY API to bring University data seamlessly into Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT, alongside tools like SmartSYNC and RedArc. He's also a Senior Analyst for Visualise Reporting, helping develop reporting solutions for higher education clients.
Previously at Blackbaud Europe, John spent almost 20 years on the other side of the technology, gaining insight into software development, charities, and education institutions.
The Connected Fundraising Organisation: One Supporter, One Story
Executive Director, Advancement
Western Sydney University
Christian Burden is the Executive Director, Advancement at Western Sydney University, where he leads the University's philanthropic and advancement strategy. With more than 25 years of experience in education advancement, including seven years working in the United Kingdom, Christian has built a career connecting universities with communities, donors, alumni and industry partners to create meaningful and lasting impact. A strategic thinker, partnership builder and experienced higher education leader, he is recognised for developing innovative fundraising initiatives, strengthening stakeholder engagement and aligning philanthropy with institutional priorities.
At bbcon Sydney 2026, Christian will present the Friends of Western Sydney Campaign, showcasing how Western Sydney University aligned the needs and aspirations of one of Australia's fastest-growing and most diverse regions with the University's strategic objectives. He will share how a community-led approach to philanthropy, underpinned by deep stakeholder engagement and a clear focus on regional impact, helped create a compelling case for support that resonated with donors, alumni, partners and the broader community. Christian will also highlight the pivotal role played by PIXO in helping shape and communicate the campaign narrative, enabling the University to translate regional challenges and opportunities into a powerful fundraising and engagement platform that inspires participation, partnership and transformational giving.
Innovation When Nothing Is Getting Easier: How Growth Happened Anyway
Payments and Online Donations Impact Lead
Blackbaud Pacific
With more than 20 years’ experience in the Australian nonprofit sector, Kate has delivered over A$150 million in fundraising income and worked in major digital transformation projects that have reshaped donor engagement. She began her career as a face-to-face fundraiser and has since held senior roles with international and domestic non- profit organizations including UNICEF Australia, Australian Red Cross, Greenpeace Asia Pacific, the Heart Research Institute, Wesley Mission, and leading acquisition agencies Good Cause, Face 2 Face Fundraising, and Rippling.
Kate is recognised as a sector thought leader in payment optimization, donor experience, and decline management. She has lead an industry group of 75+ fundraising and data specialists who meet regularly to share best practice in pledge management. A regular conference panelist and contributor to sector reviews, she is passionate about helping organizations optimize their giving solutions, streamline systems, and focus on what matters most - impact.
Building Sustainable Regular Giving: The Decisions That Drive Long-Term Growth
Payments Performance Optimisation Workshop
Senior Manager, National Campaigns and Community Fundraising
Black Dog Institute
Phoebe Collins is the Senior Manager of National Campaigns and Community Fundraising at Black Dog Institute. With more than 10 years’ experience in Peer-to-Peer and Community fundraising, she strategically leads Black Dog Institute’s flagship fundraising campaigns. Phoebe is passionate about using innovation, data and supporter insight to drive sustainable growth and deepen engagement in support of better mental health outcomes.
Innovation When Nothing Is Getting Easier: How Growth Happened Anyway
Donor Relationship Executive
Australian Conservation Foundation
Alannah Dixon is a fundraising professional specialising in mid-value donor engagement and relationship development. As a Donor Relationship Executive at the Australian Conservation Foundation, she manages a program of around 1,400 mid-value donors and leads Force for Nature, ACF's flagship pledge program funding its environmental investigations. Her fundraising journey began in regular giving, followed by close to five years specialising in Gifts in Wills, before she pivoted to mid-value fundraising in 2023. That path has given her a strong grounding in donor acquisition, long-term donor relationships, and planned giving strategy.
She brings a strong interest in data-driven donor strategy, using propensity scoring and RFM-based segmentation to shape stewardship approaches. Alannah has shaped and delivered mid-value and bequest programs across leading Australian not-for-profits, including ACF, CARE Australia, and Bush Heritage. She is passionate about creating donor experiences that are highly personal, scalable, and centred on long-term relationships.
Unlocking Mid-Level Giving: Turning Supporters into High-Value Donors
Blackbaud CRM User Group & Innovation Workshop
Blackbaud CRM User Group & Innovation Workshop (Cont.)
Blackbaud CRM User Group & Innovation Workshop (Cont.)
National General Manager for Fundraising Operations
The Salvation Army
Danial Evans is a strategic and results-driven executive leader with extensive expertise in operational excellence, fundraising strategy, and business transformation across the nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors in Australia. With a proven ability to deliver complex organisational change, Danial excels in fostering high-performing teams, driving operational efficiency, and leveraging technology to optimise service delivery.
As National General Manager of Fundraising Operations at The Salvation Army, Danial has led significant strategic initiatives including the creation of a national Operations team, the delivery of performance frameworks, and the implementation of a game-changing CRM transformation project. His leadership is defined by a commitment to governance, innovation, and the empowerment of people, underpinned by a commercial mindset and strong stakeholder engagement skills. Passionate about creating sustainable impact, Danial brings an authentic and values-driven leadership style that inspires cultural excellence and operational rigour.
His career spans senior roles in Queensland Government, Powerlink QLD, and Parks Victoria, where he delivered enterprise-wide strategic planning, business performance frameworks, and financial stewardship. With a Bachelor of Science and Engineering (Hons) from the University of Manchester, Danial combines technical acumen with a strategic outlook, enabling organisations to navigate complex environments and achieve their mission with clarity and purpose. He thrives in roles that require cross-sector collaboration, data-informed decision-making, and a relentless focus on delivering value for both supporters and communities.
Supporter Experience: Driving Loyalty, Value and Long-Term Growth
AI Product Manager
Donor Republic
The Prompt is Not the Strategy: Building the People, Policies and Practices for Responsible AI
Chief Fundraising & Marketing Officer
Vision Australia
Ian joined Vision Australia in August 2019, having held a variety of senior executive fundraising, marketing and corporate affairs roles across the nonprofit, government and health and hospital sectors throughout a 30 year professional career.
He joins Vision Australia, having recently returned to his home state of Victoria, following a successful six year stint as Chief Marketing & Fundraising Officer for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Queensland, where he grew both its charitable income and brand awareness to unprecedented levels.
Ian is no stranger to the blind and low vision sector, having also been the General Manager – Marketing for Guide Dogs Victoria between 2005-2008, and is now looking forward to making a significant contribution to Vision Australia’s sustained success.
Ian is an avid golfer, passionate follower of the Hawthorn Football Club in the AFL, a proud father of two adult children and doting pet owner.
Innovation When Nothing Is Getting Easier: How Growth Happened Anyway
Global Head of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications
Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation
Karen is an experienced fundraising and organisational growth leader with more than 20 years' experience across leading Australian and international not-for-profit organisations. Her expertise spans fundraising, marketing, donor engagement, communications and strategic planning, with a strong focus on using insight and evidence to inform decision-making. Karen brings a practical perspective on how organisations can identify emerging trends, respond to changing supporter behaviours, and use data more effectively to drive sustainable growth, stronger supporter relationships and greater organisational impact.
The Hidden Signals: What High-Performing Organisations See (and Do) Before Everyone Else
Keynote Speaker
Jess Gallagher is the first Australian athlete (Olympic or Paralympic) to win Summer and Winter medals.
The multi-talented athlete has represented Australia in 4 sports over the last 18 years. alpine skiing, athletics, track cycling and rowing.
In 2010 at the Vancouver Winter Paralympics Jess became the first Australian women to win a Winter Paralympics medal when she won bronze in the Slalom. She won her second Paralympic medal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympics another bronze, this time in the Giant Slalom. At the 2016 Rio Paralympics she won bronze in the 1km Time Trial on the tandem.
Throughout her career she has won 2 World Championships (2016 and 2025), 2 Commonwealth Games gold medals (2022), and numerous World Championship medals.
In 2022 and 2023 Jess represented Australia concurrently in rowing and track cycling, qualifying both the boat and bike for the 2024 Paralympics. With both competitions on the same day in Paris Jess had a difficult choice to make and elected to move forwards with track cycling. This decision proved dividends when at the 2024 Paris Paralympics she won silver on the tandem.
After winning World Championship gold, silver and bronze in 2025 on the tandem, 2026 is set to be a big year on the bike!
Jess is a fully qualified Osteopath, ambassador for a number of nonprofit organisations, including Vision Australia, and in 2023 was awarded RMIT University’s highest honour, an Honorary Doctorate in Social Sciences.
Welcome and Opening Keynote
Principal Product Manager
Blackbaud
Anthony Gallo is a Principal Product Manager at Blackbaud, leading product strategy for Gifts and Giving in Raiser’s Edge NXT. During his 17+ years with Blackbaud, he has focused on helping nonprofits modernize fundraising operations and create better experiences for both fundraisers and donors. Anthony lives in the Charleston area with his wife, two daughters, and two cats.
Raiser’s Edge NXT: The Next Chapter for Fundraising Teams
Senior Consultant, CRM
Blackbaud Pacific
Bec Gardiner is a Senior CRM Consultant who joined Blackbaud Pacific in 2023. With over nine years of experience in fundraising systems, project delivery and team leadership, Bec is passionate about empowering teams to harness the power of data and technology to deepen donor relationships and streamline operations.
Before joining Blackbaud, Bec led the CRM and Donor Services teams at the Australian Conservation Foundation, where she championed process improvements and strategic collaboration. She’s known for her practical approach to challenging scenarios, love of a good process, and aptitude for translating complex systems into everyday solutions.
Based in Melbourne, Bec has a deep love of animals and nature and when not at work enjoys spending time with her cats and exploring local trails with her partner.
Unlocking Mid-Level Giving: Turning Supporters into High-Value Donors
Senior Manager Fundraising & Philanthropy
Anglicare Victoria
Paula Gething is Senior Manager, Fundraising & Philanthropy at Anglicare Victoria and is responsible for leading the organisation's fundraising strategy across philanthropy, partnerships, individual giving, gifts in wills, and digital fundraising. Paula is passionate about creating supporter experiences that build trust, deepen engagement, and drive long-term donor value. She is currently leading a significant digital fundraising transformation program, leveraging data and technology to improve supporter journeys, increase retention, and support sustainable growth.
Supporter Experience: Driving Loyalty, Value and Long-Term Growth
Head of Region (APAC)
Dataro
Katrina Grant is Dataro's Head of Region (APAC), with a background in nonprofit fundraising and marketing. She is passionate about helping charities harness the power of AI to improve fundraising performance, streamline operations, and deliver better donor experiences. Katrina works closely with nonprofit leaders to drive innovation and equip fundraising teams with the AI-enabled strategies and tools they need to succeed in a data-driven future.
Supporter Experience: Driving Loyalty, Value and Long-Term Growth
Data Team Lead
Bush Heritage Australia
Liz is the Data Team Lead for the Engagement Team at Bush Heritage Australia. Liz has lived in the IT and Data world for over 30 years, from working in database and digital media at IBM to working with donor and supporter data for over 17 years with Bush Heritage. Liz was part of the team to migrate to Blackbaud Enterprise Fundraising CRM in 2017 and was essential in bringing the team along for the journey to a new system.
Liz's mission is to always keep improving, adjusting and reviewing CRM. Liz also introduced PowerBI for the Engagement team's reporting and analysis in 2018. Liz has been instrumental in introducing strict data integrity and cleaning practices into the organisation and will talk for ages about making sure your data is clean, consistent and current, so don't get her started!
Beyond data, Liz was the instigator of the Bush Heritage Bird Club, a global birder (favourite bird is the Southern Royal Albatross) and is a musical theatre nerd.
Data Health Workshop
Blackbaud CRM User Group & Innovation Workshop
Blackbaud CRM User Group & Innovation Workshop (Cont.)
Blackbaud CRM User Group & Innovation Workshop (Cont.)
Founder
Red Arc
Stu is the founder of Red Arc, a company dedicated to creating innovative integration tools for nonprofits. With over a decade of experience in providing solutions to the nonprofit sector, Stu has a deep understanding of the technology challenges these organisations face. He believes that innovation, rather than hard work, is the key to overcoming these challenges. Stu is passionate about simplifying complex processes to help organisations do more good.
Unlocking Mid-Level Giving: Turning Supporters into High-Value Donors
Individual Giving Manager
Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation
Andrea Jordan is a data-driven, donor-centric fundraising leader with a background in science, communications, content management and digital. As Individual Giving Manager at Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, she focuses on building excellent donor experiences at scale and creating strategies that drive long-term supporter value. Having held roles across leading Australian charities including Beyond Blue, Cancer Council Victoria and World Vision Australia, Andrea combines a deep understanding of fundraising with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement. Her work is grounded in the knowledge that great supporter experiences create lasting impact for both donors and the causes they champion.
Building Sustainable Regular Giving: The Decisions That Drive Long-Term Growth
Advancement Services Manager
James Cook University
Aparna Krishnan is the Advancement Services Manager at James Cook University, with a decade of experience in higher education and Advancement across the University of Wollongong and James Cook University. Her work spans advancement technology, data and CRM strategy, governance, reporting and emerging technologies, with a particular interest in how AI can be adopted responsibly and practically within Advancement. Aparna is currently leading JCU Advancement’s work in AI governance and supporting the University’s exploration of Blackbaud’s Development Agent.
The Prompt is Not the Strategy: Building the People, Policies and Practices for Responsible AI
Associate Director Advancement Services
RMIT University
Karen Laing is the Associate Director, Advancement Services at RMIT University. Karen has been a Raiser's Edge administrator and active member of the Blackbaud community across the higher education sector in the UK and Australia since 2004, participating in early adopter programs, forums and advocating for enhanced data and analytics to support full alumni and fundraising programs. She has led advancement teams through campaigns and appeals, implemented new services and worked with 3rd party vendors to improve data collection, data quality and insights during her time at University of Aberdeen, Curtin University and RMIT. Karen is currently working with platform teams and users to create a more connected eco system at RMIT to enhance consent and preference, data quality and insights to support more meaningful engagement with the university community.
The Connected Fundraising Organisation: One Supporter, One Story
The Hidden Signals: What High-Performing Organisations See (and Do) Before Everyone Else
Director
Nimbley
Anne McDonnell is the founder of Nimbley, a payments advisory and analytics consultancy that helps Australian not-for-profit organisations increase sustainable donor revenue through better payment performance. With more than 20 years of international payments experience, including as CEO of Bambora and CMO of ANZ Worldline, Anne is recognised as one of Australia's leading payments experts. She partners with charities to improve regular giving, reduce payment declines, strengthen donor retention, and deliver payment, gateway and CRM transformation programs. Her recent work includes decline analytics, face-to-face acquisition performance and payment strategy for many of Australia's best-known fundraising organisations.
Payments Performance Optimisation Workshop
Senior Acquisition Manager
Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section)
Olga Nikitina is Senior Acquisition Manager at the Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section), where she leads supporter acquisition and digital fundraising. With more than a decade in fundraising, Olga has built and grown regular giving programs across Face to Face, digital, telemarketing, DRTV and direct mail. She brings a practical, data-informed approach to fundraising, with a particular interest in what drives sustainable growth and keeps supporters engaged over time. A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Olga is passionate about testing new ideas, challenging assumptions and using what we learn from supporter behaviour to build stronger, more effective fundraising programs.
Building Sustainable Regular Giving: The Decisions That Drive Long-Term Growth
Solutions Architect, Sr Principal
Sales Enablement
Scott Parrish is a Senior Principal Solution Architect at Blackbaud with more than 21 years of experience helping nonprofit organizations leverage technology to increase fundraising effectiveness and mission impact. A former consultant, engagement manager, and portfolio manager, Scott brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor management, and AI-driven innovation. As a member of Blackbaud's Agents for Good team, he works with organizations to connect people, data, and technology to drive meaningful outcomes. Based in Denver, Colorado, Scott is passionate about running, live music, basketball, and volunteering with Canine Companions.
Development Agent in Action: What Happens When AI Joins the Fundraising Team
The Prompt is Not the Strategy: Building the People, Policies and Practices for Responsible AI
Director
Social Venture Consultants
Mark Quigley CFRE FFIA is a multi award-winning consultant including “Best Capital Campaign” from the Fundraising Institute Australasia. He started his fundraising career last century and his own consultancy in 2002. Mark is past member of the NSW FIA Board and previous Chair of the FIA International Fundraising Conference. In 2014, Mark was honoured as a Fellow of the Fundraising Institute Australia and more recently achieved CFRE accreditation. Mark began his fundraising career decades earlier in 1997 and has since helped grow many major gift programs and lead successful capital campaigns for clients in education, disabilities, social services, as well as health and medical research. Mark’s reputation within the not-for-profit sector and Australia’s philanthropic community is considerable. Mark is a sought-after writer and presenter on fundraising and philanthropy and has delivered Fundraising Masterclasses in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Mark also created My Major GiftGetter; an app, with users all over the world in which fundraisers can plan smart, work clever and get more major gifts. In February 2026 Hilborn Press published Mark’s first book “The Year Before Your Capital Campaign: A 12 month pre-campaign guide to success”.
High and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals: The Biggest Opportunity for Sustained Growth
Advancement Operations Executive
Curtin University
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group (Cont.)
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group (Cont.)
Head of Fundraising & Supporter Engagement
Alannah & Madeline Foundation
Driven to make an impact, Zoe has a background in Major Events, Partnerships, Community Fundraising and Individual Giving, having worked at YMCA Victoria, Austin Health and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness Centre, and the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
Since 2022, she’s worked at the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and is currently their Head of Fundraising & Supporter Engagement, responsible for Cash Giving, Regular Giving, Raffles, Community Fundraising, Supporter Care and the CRM. During her time at the Foundation, Zoe has worked closely with Donor Republic and her talented colleagues to revitalise and reposition Individual Giving, raising funds to help children heal from trauma, violence and abuse.
A highly motivated neurodivergent fundraiser, Zoe is passionate about leading her team, creating a safe and collaborative culture at work, and making sure that the eight hours she spends at work each day helps create a more equitable world for everyone.
Building Sustainable Regular Giving: The Decisions That Drive Long-Term Growth
Principal Solicitor
ROFE + CO
Rachael is an estate planning lawyer with more than two decades of practice - and a rare second career leading Australia's largest philanthropic donor-advised fund. She works with families and advisers across the full arc of wealth transfer.
Her work integrates lifetime giving, philanthropy, family governance and testamentary planning into a single, coherent strategy - bringing clarity, structure and legal precision to decisions that will shape families, capital and responsibility across generations.
High and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals: The Biggest Opportunity for Sustained Growth
Fundraising Data & Analytics Manager
Australian Conservation Foundation
Johanna Rosenthal is Fundraising Data & Analytics Manager at the Australian Conservation Foundation, where she leads a data-driven strategy to support environmental protection across Australia. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, Johanna brings to her work a deep understanding of fundraising, database administration, and organisational processes. Her expertise lies in process improvement and the strategic implementation of platforms like Blackbaud CRM to increase efficiency and maximise fundraising outcomes.
When she's not a work, Joh can be found tending to her garden, hiking in the wilderness, or soaking up some sun at the beach.
Blackbaud CRM User Group & Innovation Workshop
Blackbaud CRM User Group & Innovation Workshop (Cont.)
Blackbaud CRM User Group & Innovation Workshop (Cont.)
Head of Fundraising and Philanthropy
MacKillop Family Services
Amanda Schofield is Head of Fundraising and Philanthropy at MacKillop Family Services. With experience across fundraising, philanthropy, marketing and communications, she has spent her career helping organisations grow and diversify revenue through data informed decisions and innovative fundraising approaches. She is passionate about using data, insights and technology to create supporter experiences that drive loyalty, retention and long-term sustainability.
Supporter Experience: Driving Loyalty, Value and Long-Term Growth
COO
BrightVine Solutions
Stacey Segal is Chief Operating Officer of BrightVine Solutions and brings more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, technology, and organizational transformation. At BrightVine, she leads company strategy, strategic partnerships, key customer relationships, and the development of new products and services for the nonprofit sector.
Before joining BrightVine, Stacey spent nearly a decade at Blackbaud, where she supported enterprise nonprofit organizations across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia. Her earlier career includes direct fundraising and development leadership with nonprofit and healthcare organizations, as well as roles with several NHL teams.
Stacey is currently leading BrightVine’s AI and digital transformation, focusing on how emerging technologies can improve operations, strengthen decision-making, and deliver practical value for nonprofit organizations. She has also completed executive education in digital strategy and AI through the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Outside of BrightVine, Stacey serves on nonprofit boards supporting wildlife and nature conservation and has a long history of volunteer leadership with mission-driven organizations. Her work reflects a career-long focus on helping organizations use strategy, technology, and innovation to strengthen their impact.
Blackbaud CRM User Group & Innovation Workshop
Blackbaud CRM User Group & Innovation Workshop (Cont.)
Blackbaud CRM User Group & Innovation Workshop (Cont.)
President and General Manager, Pacific Region
Blackbaud Pacific
Kevin Sher is the President and General Manager of Blackbaud Pacific. He is a proven business leader with deep experience in strategic planning, product marketing, and sales management. Kevin has an excellent knowledge of the Asia-Pacific nonprofit sector and has worked with a variety of charities across the region. Kevin possesses 20+ years of experience setting marketing and sales strategy, defining brand direction, motivating teams, ensuring performance, driving revenue, and standing accountable for results.
Welcome and Opening Keynote
Head of Data and Donor Services
Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation
Uttam’s journey in the charity sector began back in 2006. Over the years, he has worked across almost every corner of donor operations from gift processing and database administration to supporter care, analytics, and strategy. He is passionate about finding better ways to do things: automating messy processes, finding intuitive tech solutions, and sharing those wins with peers across the sector.
Beyond data architecture and fundraising operations, Uttam is deeply committed to community and mentorship. You can usually find him guiding young Nepalese students as they navigate study, career paths, and life in Australia. Outside of work, he’s a passionate traveller and food enthusiast, always on the hunt for the next great local dish or an interesting travel destination.
The Connected Fundraising Organisation: One Supporter, One Story
The Hidden Signals: What High-Performing Organisations See (and Do) Before Everyone Else
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group (Cont.)
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group (Cont.)
Donor Retention Lead
Vision Australia
Victoria has spent more than 20 years at Vision Australia, building her career across fundraising with a particular focus on regular giving, donor retention and supporter engagement.
Today, she manages both the Vision Australia’s Regular Giving program as well as Seeing Eye Dogs’ puppy sponsorship program. Her work spans across proposition development, onboarding, stewardship, retention and optimisation.
Victoria is particularly interested in the decisions that help turn regular giving into sustainable, long-term revenue: understanding why donors stay, identifying where programs can improve, and using data and supporter insights to guide investment and strategy. She brings a hands-on, practical perspective to the challenges of growing and evolving regular giving programs.
Building Sustainable Regular Giving: The Decisions That Drive Long-Term Growth
Head of Sydney Cricket Ground Heritage Foundation
Venues NSW
Penny Tribe is the Head of the SCG Heritage Foundation, responsible for a capital campaign to raise philanthropic funds for a new, world-class museum of sport at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Penny’s career spans music, artist management, touring and major event management, arts administration and fundraising.
After studying music the NSW Conservatorium, Penny worked across the music industry in Australia including at the Sydney Opera House, Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and Queensland Symphony Orchestra. She then joined IMG Artists where she worked in Kuala Lumpur at Dewan Philharmonik Petronas touring international artists throughout Asia.
After returning to Australia, Penny began work at The Fred Hollows Foundation where she established a major donor and corporate partnership program, also setting up the Coastrek event which raised over $25 million to restore sight.
Penny then began work as the Executive Director, Advancement at Western Sydney University working with Professors Barney Glover AO and Peter Shergold AC to raise funds for scholarships and research. After a term as Director of Revenue at the Heart Foundation, Penny took up the role as Head of the newly established SCG Heritage Foundation where she leads a capital campaign to raise $70 million for a new museum of sport at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
High and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals: The Biggest Opportunity for Sustained Growth
General Manager
Peak Fundraising Systems
Paul has a passion for technology and innovation, a customer-first mindset, and a culture of continuous improvement to deliver real value for fundraisers and the causes they champion. With 14 years building technology across face-to-face, digital, and telefundraising, he's behind products like Payment Panda and now leads the DonorLinks suite of products, including Donor Capture.
Payments Performance Optimisation Workshop
Director, Family Advisory
JBWere
Kim Venter is Director, Family Advisory at JBWere and a Family Business - Accredited Adviser. With over 20 years of international wealth management experience, she works with families to navigate intergenerational wealth transfer, family governance, philanthropy and legacy planning. Kim is passionate about helping families align around shared values and purpose, ensuring wealth becomes a catalyst for meaningful impact across generations.
High and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals: The Biggest Opportunity for Sustained Growth
CEO
ntegrity
Richenda Vermeulen is Founder and CEO of ntegrity, a multi-award-winning agency helping charities grow their impact through fundraising, marketing and strategy. ntegrity’s work has been recognised nationally for creativity and fundraising excellence, with campaigns featured on global stages including the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Before founding ntegrity, Richenda spent more than a decade in the not-for-profit sector, from frontline social work to leading digital innovation at World Vision Australia and World Vision USA.
Beyond the Click: What it Actually Takes to Acquire and Convert New Donors
Managing Director
Visualise Reporting & Analytics
Julia Villiotis is the founder and director of Visualise Reporting and Visualise Fundraising. She helps nonprofits and universities see what's really happening in their fundraising, and act on it while there's still time to change the outcome. Visualise Reporting gives organisations live, sector-specific dashboards built for Raiser's Edge NXT, and Visualise Fundraising helps them get their data and systems working as hard as their teams do.
Julia has spent two decades in the non-profit sector as a data analyst and systems specialist, working for and alongside some of Australia's leading charities and universities. She brings an unusual lens to the work: a background in psychology, with specialist expertise in behavioural statistics and analytics. That shapes how she reads data- looking at what supporters did, why they did it, and what they're likely to do next.
The Hidden Signals: What High-Performing Organisations See (and Do) Before Everyone Else
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group (Cont.)
Raiser's Edge NXT User Group (Cont.)
Head of Data Analytics and Intelligence
National Heart Foundation
Linnea Wang is the head of Business Analytics and Intelligence at the National Heart Foundation of Australia. With over a decade experience in nonprofit sector, she is dedicated to helping fundraising teams unlock the power of data to drive meaningful, revenue-generating change. A strong advocate for automation and streamlined processes, she believes in turning complexity into clarity - empowering teams to focus on impact.
The Connected Fundraising Organisation: One Supporter, One Story
Development Manager
All Hallows' School
Jessica Wong is a fundraising and development professional with experience across education, health, disability and the not-for-profit sector, whose career has been shaped by the intersection of fundraising strategy, relationships and data.
As Development Manager at All Hallows’ School, Jessica leads a broad portfolio spanning strategy, appeals and campaigns, major giving, prospect development, regular giving, donor engagement, stewardship and philanthropic partnerships.
Endlessly curious about what makes people connect, engage, and ultimately choose to give, Jessica is a self-confessed data enthusiast who believes that good data can transform how we understand and engage with our communities. Drawing on her experience in education advancement and across the broader sector, she brings a practical approach to uncovering opportunities, challenging assumptions and improving the way we work, turning data and technology into insight, action and opportunities for fundraising growth.
Change, Transformation and Optimisation: Real Stories, Real Challenges, Real Results
Data Health Workshop
Senior Solutions Engineer
Sales Enablement
Ashley joined Blackbaud Pacific as a Raiser’s Edge NXT Consultant in 2022. She brings over 10 years’ experience as a fundraising support specialist working for various social good organisations in Australia and the United States, including several years as a Raiser’s Edge user. Special areas of interest include prospect management and data health maintenance.
Originally from New Jersey, USA, Ashley currently lives in Brisbane, Australia. She holds a masters degree from Queensland University of Technology in Art Management. When not diving into data projects, Ashley enjoys playing her guitar and walking her fluffy dog.
The Prompt is Not the Strategy: Building the People, Policies and Practices for Responsible AI
Fundraising Operations & Analytics Manager
Vision Australia
If there’s someone who knows data, it’s Fan! With roles that have included Data Analytics & Strategic Insights Manager (Children’s Medical Research Institute), Analytics Manager (Merkle), Data Manager (University of Melbourne) and Data Analyst (Roy Morgan Research), Fan has 20 years' experience of getting the very best out of data and analytics.
In her current role, she leads a team of five to provide analytics insights to answer business questions for fundraising strategies, campaign monitoring, fundraising success measures, prospecting, donor acquisition and retention performance. She collaborates with internal and external business partners to discover business gaps in operational process and provides solutions to elevate business efficiency and supporter satisfaction.
Building Sustainable Regular Giving: The Decisions That Drive Long-Term Growth