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Meet the Team

Lynne Wester

Principal & Founder

Lynne Wester has been shaking up the fundraising world for more than 20 years. She strongly believes that donor relations is the key to unlocking fundraising success and that organizations must be as dedicated to the donor experience — or DX — as they are to the ask itself. Known for positively disrupting the status quo, Lynne helps organizations when they need it the most – when crisis or opportunity arrive.

 

Lynne is deeply proud of her team and is beyond grateful for the brilliant colleagues who work alongside her. Lynne and her teammates at DRG partner with nonprofits large and small on a variety of initiatives from developing sound strategy and vision to utilizing technology and creating meaningful donor engagement — all designed to positively impact the fundraising bottom line. In addition, she is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, access, justice, and belonging — especially in the fundraising and nonprofit sector.

Lynne’s thought leadership is regularly featured in publications such as the Washington Post, Chronicle of Philanthropy, and CASE Currents. She is a four-time author and has contributed to two other books. She also hosts the #1 nonprofit podcast in the world — Fundraising is Funny — alongside T. Clay Buck, CFRE.

 

Lynne received her B.A. from the University of South Carolina, holds a Masters in Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy from BayPath University, and proudly sports a DUCKtorate from the Disney Institute. She volunteers at many nonprofits and serves on the University of South Carolina board.

Keynote speaker and founder of Donor Relations Group, Lynne Wester laughing with sunny background.
Team

Meet the Team

Headshot of Angela Joens, DRG Consultant and Strategist

Angela Joens

Consultant & Strategist

Headshot of Ashley Rowe, DRG Chief Marketing Officer

Ashley Rowe

Chief Marketing Officer

Headshot of Donor Relations Group Associate Christine McGuire

Christine McGuire

Associate

Headshot of Donor Relations Group Associate Jennie Drish

Jennie Drish

Associate

Headshot of Donor Relations Group Associate Melissa Carrera

Melissa Carrera

Associate

Jenny Headshot 3.jpg

Jenny Jones, PhD

Project Specialist

Headshot of Matthew Helmer, DRG Consultant and Strategist

Matthew Helmer

Consultant & Strategist

Headshot of Shannon Russell, Donor Relations Group Concierge

Shannon Russell

Concierge

Headshot of Donor Relations Group Associate Holly Kizer

Holly Kizer

Associate

Headshot of Donor Relations Group Associate Liz Menne

Liz Menne

Associate

Mary Solomons

Project Specialist

Headshot of Colton Withers, DRG Director of Operations

Colton Withers

Director of Operations

Headshot of Avery G. Howard, Donor Relations Group Associate

Avery G. Howard

Associate

Headshot of Donor Relations Group Senior Associate Jan McGuire

Jan McGuire

Senior Associate

Headshot of Donor Relations Group Associate Madelyn Jones

Madelyn Jones

Associate

Stacey Halphen

Project Specialist

Want DRG to inspire your audience?

Attendees leave our keynotes and sessions with tangible takeaways, renewed energy, and the ability to affect change in their organizations. Our most common evaluation feedback is attendees begging for more. We present on many topics related to the donor experience, team building, and executive leadership.

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