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• Ask Me Anything: Careers, Campaigns, and Candid Conversations

  • When
    May 21, 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd, Pennington, NJ 08534

  Register

  About this In-person Event

  On May 21, 2026 from 6–8pm, join fellow nonprofit fundraising professionals for Ask Me Anything: Careers, Campaigns, and Candid Conversations—an in-person evening of insight, honesty, and inspiration. Dive into a live Q&A with two powerhouse Chief Development Officers, Karyn Vella and Barbara Lovell, as they share hard-won lessons, career advice, and campaign strategies. This event invites you to ask anything—no topic too big or too personal. Whether you're navigating leadership, growth, or burnout, come ready for real talk and fresh perspective.

  Space is limited, so grab your seat and bring your boldest questions!

  Event Details

  Date: Thu, May 21, 2026
  Time: 6PM - 8PM
  Setting: In-person

  Location: Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd, Pennington, NJ 08534

  Guests will enjoy an array of light appetizers, desserts, and wine. 
  Please inform us of any dietary restrictions in your registration.

  Feel free to reach out to us with any thoughts or questions at info@widnewjersey.org.

  We look forward to seeing you in person for food, networking, and fun!

  Registration Information

  • Registration is required by Mon, May  14, 2026 (space is limited)
  • $35 for members | $45 for non-members
  • All levels of experience in development, fundraising, and nonprofit management are welcome

  To view a full list of our upcoming events, visit www.widnewjersey.org/events and save your spots today!

  
  

  About the Speakers

  Barbara Lovell is a nonprofit fundraising professional with nearly two decades of experience in animal welfare and social services, known for blending deeply personal donor engagement with data-driven strategy. She has spent the past ten years at the Monmouth County SPCA, serving as both Associate Executive Director and Director of Development, where she leads all fundraising operations and has helped grow revenue by more than 150%. In her executive leadership role she has helped guide extensive organizational growth while expanding programs and reach beyond county borders. Barbara previously served on the capital campaign team that built New Jersey’s largest domestic violence safehouse with 180 Turning Lives Around. As giving methods and donor expectations rapidly evolve, Barbara advocates for embracing new technology as a force multiplier for small teams while remaining deeply rooted in relationship-based fundraising: authentic storytelling, strong stewardship, and meaningful face-to-face relationships. Her expertise spans donor cultivation, community outreach, capital campaigns, special events, volunteer and committee leadership, and building high-performing development teams from the ground up.
  

  Karyn Vella has over 25 years of experience leading admissions and development teams in independent and Jesuit schools across the country. An alumna of both Phillips Exeter Academy and Dartmouth College, she brings a blend of data-driven, collaborative, team-oriented leadership to her work. Karyn has worked in day and boarding, co-ed and single-sex, PK–12 and 9–12 environments, leading teams as small as two and as large as twenty. She recently completed the historic One Peddie Campaign—the largest in The Peddie School’s history—raising $106M predominantly for endowment. During her career she has partnered with seven heads of school and is currently in the first year of a leadership transition at Peddie. Karyn also chairs the steering committee for the Independent School Leadership Group, collaborating with colleagues across the globe to share best practices and fresh perspectives. Karyn prefers interactive workshops, practical professional development, and values peer to peer mentoring. Outside of the office, Karyn finds peace reading, knitting, swimming and hanging out with her husband, two daughters and a menagerie of four-legged furry friends.

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