When it comes to email management, do not use me as your model. I’m the worst. My inbox always has thousands of unopened and unread emails in it. Which, of course, means I might miss yours (sorry in advance).
But once in a while, an email comes along that just might change your life. Or your career.
Three years ago, one such email landed at the top of my inbox, and I opened it. And now, such a short time later, I couldn’t be happier that I did. That prophetic email came from a complete stranger named Courtney Laddusaw. She was a graduate student at a major university in California and was interested in becoming a consultant. Would I be willing to talk to her?
I always, always answer emails and texts from students, especially those interested in the nonprofit sector, but I never expect much, just the hope that maybe I can encourage younger, less experienced people in some way. But something about Courtney’s email was different, although I didn’t realize it at the time.
Our first Zoom call was exciting. I had not expected to find myself communicating with someone with over a decade of experience as a fundraising professional. Field experience tends to be a requirement if you want to become a consultant. More exciting still was to find a talented, articulate person who shared my interests in fundraising management and data analytics. In just a few minutes, Courtney and I realized our shared passions. On the spot, I offered her an internship. And she accepted.
Our first project was to redesign the Leaky Bucket Assessment, to create the enterprise version, Leaky Bucket Professional. Courtney’s deep understanding of academic research in the nonprofit sector gave her invaluable insights which have enriched Leaky Bucket Pro immensely. Without her input, this new toolkit would not have become as rich and thorough as it is today. It was even her idea to name the original version the Leaky Bucket Lite (that’s the free one), and the new enterprise one Leaky Bucket Pro.
Courtney has also brought new thinking and clarity into what we do at Bristol Strategy. Remember, our firm has never been focused on campaign counsel, or grant writing, or how to make the proverbial ask. It has always been focused on discovering where the “leaks” are in fundraising efficiency and effectiveness, and helping our clients “plug” them. But Courtney brings exceptional insights, with grounded academic research to back them up.
And she has learned how to facilitate a consulting engagement and training programs with panache. All of this while:
- Giving birth to two, count ‘em two, children in less than 24 months (one planned, the other a surprise);
- Completing her course work, dissertation, and dissertation defense; and
- Turning herself into a consultant after 19 years as a fundraising professional
Courtney is now in the process of becoming a formal partner at Bristol Strategy. And I could not be happier or prouder.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Laddusaw to Bristol Strategy Group and congratulating her on the successful publication of her dissertation, The Ask: A Study Understanding the Motivations of Major Giving Donors. The Best Strategies and Practices to Achieve Fundraising Successes in Small Charitable Organizations.
If you’re interested, and willing to wade through 297 pages of academic text including about 50 pages of citations, feel free to see it here at https://bit.ly/Courtney-dissertation.
And while you’re at it, open your email. You never know when you’re going to find a gem, like I did.
