The Development Download Podcast

In this episode of The Development Download, Peggy Rhoads, CFRE, Senior Director of Development at The Health Museum and a member of the AFP Global Ethics Committee, joins us to talk about ethics in fundraising. In recognition of AFP Global's Ethics Month in October, we discuss the work of the committee, why ethics matter, the resources available to AFP members, and practical ways to make ethical reflection part of our everyday work.   For resources on fundraising ethics, visit AFP Global's Ethics page: https://afpglobal.org/ethics   LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-rhoads-cfre/

What happens when the namesake of an award sits down with the person receiving it? In this episode of The Development Download, M. Anne Murphy and Nicole McWhorter join us to talk about the M. Anne Murphy Award for Professional Advancement, the growth of fundraising as a profession in Houston, and the responsibility development professionals share in helping move the field forward.   They reflect on mentorship, curiosity, professional growth, and the people who shaped their own careers. We also look ahead to the 40th anniversary of National Philanthropy Day on November 11 and what the event means to Houston's fundraising community.   LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolemcwhorter/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-anne-murphy-6918377/

In this episode of The Development Download, we're joined by Anne Marie Blacketer, CFRE, CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America Texas Gulf Coast Chapter, and Dr. Dan Price, Director of Data & Society and the Community Health Worker Initiative at the University of Houston Honors College. Anne Marie and Dan share the story of an organic partnership rooted in public health, community education, and aligned mission. Both bring deep knowledge of the issues facing Greater Houston, along with a clear passion for improving health outcomes and expanding access to trusted information.   What began as shared interest and mutual respect has grown into a collaboration that crosses organizational boundaries and resists the silos that can too often limit nonprofit work. Their conversation offers a case study in what can happen when partners are driven first by community impact, with fundraising and future grant opportunities growing naturally from that shared work.   LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-marie-blacketer-cfre-13b980/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-price-70b4b246/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/lupus-foundation-of-america-texas-gulf-coast-chapter-inc/ https://www.linkedin.com/school/uh-honors/

Recorded live at AFP Greater Houston's Ask the Experts conference on June 16, 2026, this episode of The Development Download brings together 25 voices from across our fundraising community to answer one question: Can you share a relationship that started as a simple connection but grew into something much more meaningful? Their answers touch on mentorship, career growth, friendship, and the unexpected ways one conversation can shape a path forward.   Featured Voices:    Gayla Wilson Andrea Romero Andrea Ward Abby Trahan Madeline Sebastian Jennifer Kapral Kristyna Torres Cheryl Worley Jessy Napier Kamari Brewer Matt Pham Samantha Sheets-Olinsky Nicole Moore-Kriel Liz Bear Derrick Owens Kinsey Crabtree Lena Khattab Corey Chao Kelly J. Zúñiga Lilia Duque Michelle Monaco Angela Seaworth Marty Murad Alexandria Hodge Kelsey George

In this episode of The Development Download, we're joined by Audra Jesudason, Vice President of Philanthropy and Membership, Lisa Marie Avendano, Chief Operating Officer, and Kirsten Ufer, Senior Creative Director at the Houston Zoo. Workplace culture is one of those things everyone talks about, but it can be difficult to define and even harder to build. In this conversation, we explore how the Houston Zoo has cultivated a culture of connection among its staff, the role leadership plays in fostering it, and the benefits a friendship-forward workplace can have for both employees and organizational success. LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/houston-zoo/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrajes/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lma713/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-ufer-56ab5010/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmikaylabrown/