Last year, the AB50C Awards honored 50 exceptional leaders. But who are they beyond their roles? We spoke with these leaders to uncover the stories, passions, and perspectives that shape them and what truly sets them apart.

Why She’s a Champion

Kim Rich received the AB50C Champion title in the Community Choice category, recognizing both her impact and the respect she’s earned across the advancement community.

Over the course of her career, she has helped formalize advancement operations, strengthen data integrity, and build systems that enable teams to do their best work. She was part of the team that raised over $159 million in Sidwell Friends School’s top campaign.

For Kim, the recognition reflected something deeper than professional achievement, it reflected the community she’s spent years supporting and strengthening.

Beyond the Title

Kim didn’t set out to build a career in advancement services. In fact, when she started, the field itself barely existed.

Her first role was as an administrative assistant at a crisis intervention center in Nashville, where she was handed a computer and a simple directive:

“Here's a computer, and try to figure things out.”

That small moment sparked something lasting. What began as learning databases out of necessity became a genuine passion — for systems, for reporting, for solving the puzzle of how good data enables good work.

“There was just something about data and reporting and statistics that just really drew me.”

That instinct to figure things out still guides everything she does.

Finding Her Way into Advancement

Kim’s journey spans nonprofit organisations, cultural institutions, higher education, healthcare, and now K–12 education. Each stop added a new layer of perspective — and purpose.

Her time at Blackbaud, implementing fundraising databases for clients across North America, gave her a view of the bigger picture that few in the field get to see. She went on to help build advancement services departments at multiple institutions, bringing structure and clarity where none had existed before.

Now at Sidwell Friends School, she leads advancement services and operations, continuing that same mission: building systems that support real relationships and long-term growth.

"Advancement services mean so much to me because they really did give me a career, but also just the people I've met.”

The Work That Matters

In her current role, Kim oversees gift processing, reporting, data governance, strategy, and operational workflows across the advancement team.

Her work sits at the intersection of systems and people, ensuring that the infrastructure behind fundraising is clear, accurate, and effective.

But what energizes her most isn't the infrastructure itself. It's the people it empowers.

Her goal is simple but powerful: clarity.

“I think my overarching goal is always clarity within the space.”

Clarity in systems. Clarity in workflows. Clarity that allows teams to focus on what matters most: relationships.

What Winning AB50C Meant to Her?

Being named an AB50C Champion was meaningful not because of the spotlight, but because of what it represented.

“Winning in the community choice category hit differently. These are my people — so to be chosen by them? That means everything.”

For someone who has spent her career supporting others, the recognition felt deeply affirming.

The award came full circle: honoring someone who has helped build and strengthen the very community that nominated her.

An Initiative She is Proud Of

One of the most defining milestones Kim has been part of is Sidwell Friends School’s historic fundraising campaign, which raised over $159 million, the most successful campaign in the institution’s history.

The campaign represents more than a financial milestone. It supports a long-term vision of unifying the school community and investing in future generations.

Alongside this, Kim also introduced structured AI exploration within her team, forming a working group, hosting discussions, and guiding thoughtful adoption.

"We've raised $159 million, broken ground on a new campus, and we're not done yet. Being part of a campaign that will physically reunite this school community — that's the kind of work that reminds you why the infrastructure behind fundraising matters so much."

Technology, Curiosity, and the Future

Kim approaches AI with curiosity, balance, and intention.

She believes strongly in its potential to support advancement teams – while recognizing that technology can never replace the human core of the work.

“AI can be a huge help in working across the entire team to figure out where it fits and how it helps; that's pretty cool.”

For Kim, technology isn’t the goal. It’s a tool, one that allows people to do more meaningful work.

Rapid Fire

Where It All Comes Together

Kim's story is a reminder that advancement isn't built through campaigns alone — it's built through systems, stewardship, and the people who make both possible.

From teaching herself databases at a crisis center in Nashville to leading operations behind one of the most successful campaigns in her institution's history, her journey is proof of what quiet, principled expertise can accomplish over time.

Because behind every transformational campaign is someone making sure the foundation holds.

And behind every strong foundation is someone like Kim — building clarity, strengthening community, and making sure advancement has what it needs to move forward.