In this episode of Rising Voices of Fundraising: The AFP Emerging Leaders Podcast, guests Chris Evans and Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier share their experiences as working moms and emerging leaders in the fundraising profession. They reflect on their involvement with the AFP Women’s Impact Initiative, discuss how the nonprofit sector can better support parents through flexibility and a people-first approach, and offer practical advice for setting boundaries to achieve better work-life balance.
Guests:
Chris Evans, CFRE, has worked on development teams in Colorado, North Carolina, and Texas specializing in annual planning, database management, and donor relations. Chris believes nonprofits are tasked with making this world a more equitable place and is passionate about helping donors invest in change and impacting their community. As Senior Director of Development at Educational First Steps, Chris shares the value of quality early childhood education and how EFS impacts underinvested communities and their children across North Texas.
Chris serves on the board of the AFP Fort Worth Metro Chapter as VP of Professional Development. She was a 2022 Emerging Leader, the 2023 DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference Chair, and currently serves on AFP’s Women’s Impact Initiative Committee. Chris passionately advocates for the rights and equity of women and children. Her inspiration and motivation for everything are her three children, Mia, Charleigh, and Benjamin, and her husband, Adam.
Dr. Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, CFRE, ACNP, GPC, CAP, Founder & CEO, AQP Consulting & Executive Director, ENP: Dr. Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier has fourteen years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has collectively raised approximately $5 million for over 75 organizations. She serves as Executive Director of ENP and runs her own nonprofit consulting firm, AQP Consulting, where she helps grassroots nonprofits with fundraising strategy, strategic planning, board development, and grant writing.
Allison is a vocal advocate for gender parity, closing the wage gap, and ending the motherhood penalty. With accolades such as AFP’s Outstanding Young Fundraising Professional, NBJ’s 40 Under 40, NBJ’s Women of Influence, a National Latino Leader, and the Women Who Rock Nashville Social Justice Award, Dr. Quintanilla Plattsmier strives to serve and better her community every day. A dedicated AFP member for the last seven years, Allison currently chairs the Women's Impact Initiative (WII) Mentorship Program and serves on the LEAD Education Advisory Committee. When she is not out serving her community, she is spending time with her three kids, Quintan, Karina, and Kamren.
Host:
Emily Leitzinger, CFRE, CNP, Director of National Leadership Giving, Cure SMA: Emily Leitzinger is a fundraising executive with over 15 years of experience driving organizational growth and sustainability through innovative fundraising strategies and donor engagement. She currently serves as the Director of National Leadership Giving at Cure SMA and is particularly proud of launching the first-ever Legacy Society for the organization. Emily is dedicated to advancing equity and inclusion in philanthropy, as noted in her Master's capstone. In this project, she examines the effects of donor influence on nonprofit operations and proposes frameworks for more balanced and ethical donor engagement. A chartering member and past president of the Mid-City, New Orleans Rotary Club, Emily is affectionately known as the Deputy Governor of "Yes" and is set to become the District Governor of District 6840. In addition to her professional achievements, she enjoys traveling, long-distance running, and craft beer, and is a huge fan of The Office. She lives in New Orleans with her Elvis-impersonating husband, Mike.
