Jennifer Dale, CNM & Sierra Abbott: 2023 AFP & Alford Group Women’s Mentor Program

In this AFP Mentorship Spotlight, we interviewed Jennifer Dale, CNM and Sierra T. Abbott, participants in the 2023 AFP/Alford Group Women’s Mentor Program. Program participants met one another in person at AFP ICON in April to kick off the program, which will last eight months and include virtual meetings and another in-person meeting at AFP LEAD. We asked Jennifer and Sierra to share their expectations as they start this journey! 

Q: Please introduce yourself, and which mentorship program you're participating in.
A: I am Sierra Abbott, and I am honored to have been awarded one of the 12 mentee spots in the AFP/Alford Group Women’s Mentor Program 2023 cohort. I am the development manager at Hearts for Hearing in Oklahoma City, OK. Our organization teaches babies born deaf to listen and talk by providing the first set of hearing technology, audiology, and specialized speech therapy to children with hearing loss in Oklahoma. As a mom to a sweet little boy that is disabled, I know firsthand that quality and affordable healthcare are extremely important. I am honored to work at an organization that provides the gold standard of care to the patients that we serve. 

Q: Why is having a female mentor so important?
A: Great women support other women. In a world often dominated by men, I feel it’s our job as women to empower others to pursue bold ideas and leadership opportunities, which is why it is very important for me to have a female mentor. I am excited to learn from my mentor, Jennifer, and hopefully build my confidence and fundraising skills to thrive in our profession. It means the world that she is taking time out of her busy schedule to mentor someone who is still in the early stages of her career. 

Q: What’s one skill you’re hoping to gain or improve through the mentorship program? 
A: I am excited to learn from my mentor, Jennifer, about effective leadership skills. As I continue to grow as a fundraising professional, it’s vital that I learn how to be an effective leader in my organization, and specifically to those I supervise. I have had the incredible opportunity to learn from great leaders, and I want to be able to share those lessons and experiences with others. As a leader, I hope to take on new responsibilities, inspire colleagues, provide functional input, and find new solutions to increase efficiency. 

Q: Please introduce yourself, and which mentorship program you're participating in.
A: I am a wife, mom, reader, fundraiser, volunteer, daughter, aunt, traveler, and friend — I am Jennifer Dale. Currently, I am the director of community outreach & philanthropy at Angela Hospice outside Detroit, Michigan. Angela Hospice is the premier hospice provider in SE Michigan. I am an experienced nonprofit philanthropic leader with a strategic focus on providing leadership, vision, direction, and results in fund, business & community development, partnerships, expansion, membership growth, and brand penetration. I am now applying my over 25 years of experience in all levels of fund development and market management, as a mentor with the AFP & Alford Group Women’s Mentor Program.  

Q: Why is having a female mentor so important?
A: I was raised by my hero and best friend — my mom. She, and my dad, always taught me to give back; deep down I think that’s how I got to be a life-long female nonprofit executive. And when I can see an opportunity to contribute, support, help, lead and empower another female in the field — I’ve gotta do it! We are stronger together when we learn from each other, grow with each other, and support one another. Even though philanthropy is a female dominated profession (yeah us!!), there is still (and always) room for growth and opportunity, and together we lift each other up and succeed!  We also support each other like no one else can. And we celebrate each other well and often — as we should! 

Q: What’s one skill you’re hoping to gain or improve through the mentorship program? 
A: I LOVE learning! I LOVE being a mentor because I learn just as much as my mentee learns from me. Being able to look at a problem, or even a success, through someone else’s lens is important. Being a mentor allows me to see the profession, a task, and even life from a different perspective, which always, in the end, winds up being a lesson. Having this time with Sierra (Abbott of Hearts for Hearing) is exciting so I can share and learn from, and with, her. I look forward to guiding Sierra through her next professional steps and gathering all the lessons she will teach me as well.