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 He’s an AB50C Champion

The judges loved Tim's integration of academia into the practical work of fundraising. His rethinking of traditional models reflects the kind of innovation needed to push the industry forward.

Beyond the Title

If you ask Tim how long he’s been in the field, the answer is both straightforward and layered—over a decade in nonprofit fundraising, with the last few years spent deeply immersed in advancement services.

But what stands out is the way he thinks about the work.

For Tim, advancement isn’t just about systems, donors, or campaigns. It’s about understanding people, their motivations, their identities, and the patterns that shape how they engage with institutions.

There’s also an unexpected layer to his story: somewhere along the way, he stepped away from fundraising entirely to pursue a PhD in English. That academic lens still shapes how he approaches his work today, asking not just how things work but also why they matter.

What Winning AB50C Meant to Him?

For someone working behind the scenes in advancement services, recognition like the AB50C award carries special meaning.

Winning the Unifier title felt fitting not just as a label, but as a reflection of how Tim approaches his work.

But the moment was also bigger than individual recognition.

It’s a reminder of the many contributors behind the scenes who make advancement work possible.

“Unifier makes sense in the way that I'm able to bring in different disciplines and different kinds of information to create something that's valuable here.”

Finding Their Way into Advancement

Like many in advancement, Tim didn’t start out with a clear roadmap.

As an undergraduate at the University of St Thomas in Minnesota, he signed up for a work-study role in the development office without really knowing what it entailed.

That curiosity turned into hands-on experience, starting with data entry and database work and gradually expanding into prospect research and team supervision during a capital campaign.

His next chapter took him to the Basilica of St Mary in Minneapolis, where he spent 8 years developing expertise in data and systems.

“Everything that we did with computers was kind of my purview.”

But just when it seemed like his path was set, he pivoted, leaving fundraising to pursue a PhD in English.

And then, something intriguing happened.

As he approached the end of his academic journey, conversations with peers in the nonprofit space reframed his perspective. He began to see fundraising not just as a job he had left behind but as a field where his analytical and academic skills could unlock entirely new possibilities.

That realization brought him back this time with a deeper sense of purpose.

Today, as Senior Director of Advancement Services, Tim sits at the intersection of data, research, and strategy, bringing together disparate pieces of information to create clarity and direction.

The Work That Matters

At its core, Tim’s work is about making sense of complexity.

He leads advancement operations and prospect research, but what truly excites him is the process of discovery.

“The process of discovery. Of finding out new things, seeing patterns, putting pieces together.”

One of his most compelling projects focuses on generational behaviour among alumni, analyzing how different groups engage, give, and connect with institutions.

His findings challenge the notion of a universal approach:

• Millennials, for instance, are less drawn to broad annual funds but more motivated by specific, outcome-driven giving.
• At the same time, they show high engagement in events, often more than other generations.

These insights aren’t just interesting; they actively shape strategy.

“Generations have different ways of interacting with institutions and communities.”

Looking ahead, Tim’s focus is on building analytical models that can predict donor behaviour without losing sight of individuality.

It’s a delicate balance:

“What can we predict, but also recognise as difference and unpredictability.”

And this is where AI begins to play a role in his work.

Talking about how AI impacts the data that he works with, he sees AI as an enabler that supports this complexity.

From summarizing call reports to organizing data and accelerating research, AI helps streamline workflows and uncover insights faster, freeing up time to focus on the more nuanced, human side of fundraising.

But the human element remains irreplaceable.

An Initiative He’s Proud Of

While much of Tim’s work is rooted in data and systems, one of his most meaningful projects takes a very different direction.

He’s currently working on a long-term book project exploring fundraising and spirituality in the 21st century.

It’s not a “how-to” guide.

Instead, it asks deeper questions:

• What is the role of relationships in fundraising?
• How do identity, ego, and purpose shape giving?
• What does fundraising say about us as people?

“I'm interested in writing the kind of why question. Why are we doing this?”

Drawing from diverse spiritual traditions and contemporary perspectives, the project explores how modern notions of spirituality intersect with the practice of fundraising.

It’s ambitious, reflective, and deeply human, much like Tim’s overall approach to the field.

Rapid Fire

Where It All Comes Together

Tim’s journey is a reminder that advancement isn’t just about fundraising; it’s about understanding people, asking better questions, and building meaning into the work we do.

In a field often driven by metrics and outcomes, his perspective brings something essential: depth.

Stories like his are what make Humans of Advancement more than just a series; they make it a collective exploration of what this work truly means.