Fundraising Stars

Sometimes it's best to just let the numbers speak for themselves.

(Editor's note: Gregory left the Food Bank For New York City in May 2009 and now is the vice president and director of development at amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.)

Jessica Harrington (slideshow photo 5)
vice president
S&W Direct
We got excited just reading the nomination for Jessica Harrington that came from freelance copywriter 
Pru Bovee.

From Pru: "As a freelance copywriter, I work with many direct-mail professionals. But there is only one for whom I would drop everything when called, and that's Jessica Harrington.

"Jessica brings out the absolute best in me; she brings out the best in everyone around her. A star in her own right, Jess is also a playmaker, bringing those around her to a higher quality of work," Pru writes. "She [shares] her own success by mentoring newer fundraisers; she never compromises in honesty, even when it means telling clients a truth they'd rather not face; her courage is legendary, and that courage often provides her clients with windfalls of revenue or membership.

"Jessica is exciting to work with," Pru adds. "Her practical, 'bottom line' exterior hides 
an impassioned dedication to the belief that the work we do can and will change the world."

Honestly, it's hard not to want to honor someone who elicits that kind of enthusiasm in her colleagues.

Patricia Barrick (slideshow photo 6)

vice president of external relations
City Harvest
Across the country, organizations that provide food to needy families have been experiencing unprecedented need as many once financially stable families find themselves in need of help. City Harvest has been no exception.

The day Lehman Brothers — one of City Harvest's main funders — declared bankruptcy, Patricia Barrick recognized the need for immediate action, calling together her fundraising team to brainstorm ways to communicate to donors how essential the organization's mission would become in the following months.