Q-and-A With Award Winners
Why did you choose fundraising as a career? I really didn’t. I chose animals. It’s all I have ever wanted to do. I thought I would grow up to be Dr. Doolittle, but thankfully this opportunity came along first. I applied at the ASPCA for over a year before they hired me, and I am so grateful they did.
What are some future professional pursuits of yours? I would love — at some point — to work in international aid/relief. Human services side — something completely different than animals but as relevant and critical in our globally changing world.
What were your greatest fundraising challenges? Always looking for the next big channel and ensuring that the internal team — from the board down — is willing to accept the risk of opening a new door.
What is the fundraising accomplishment you are most proud of? Launching direct-response television for the ASPCA in 2003.
How would those close to you describe you? Energetic, driven and passionate about what I do.
Marc Sirkin:
Where did you grow up? Westchester County, NY
What is your fundraising experience? I raised a few thousand dollars for the MS Walk one year, then found myself working for the March of Dimes. I found that by applying my user interface design and e-commerce skills into building a cutting-edge fundraising systems, we could raise a lot of money online.
What is your education? B.S. in advertising from Florida State University and a Design & Production diploma from the Art Institute of Atlanta.
Who are your role models? Christopher Reeve for never, ever giving up. Anyone who overcomes adversity and obscurity by putting in the work to get to the top is a role model!
Why did you choose fundraising as a career? I didn’t! I started out wanting to be a creative director at an ad agency. I was working on my third technology start-up when I stumbled into the nonprofit sector six years ago and haven’t looked back since.
