Preventing Burnout: What Research Reveals About Fundraiser Well-Being

In this episode of Rising Voices of Fundraising: The AFP Emerging Leaders Podcast, we explore the critical issue of fundraiser burnout. AFP ICON presenter Amanda Sattler breaks down the latest research on the systemic drivers of burnout, the six key mismatch domains, and how emerging leaders can advocate for more sustainable work environments as they grow in their fundraising careers. To learn more about this topic, join Amanda for her session, The Case for Decreasing Fundraiser Burnout: What the Research Reveals, taking place during AFP ICON 2026 in San Diego, CA, April 26-28.  Guest: Amanda Sattler, CFRE, is a nonprofit consultant and Doctoral Candidate in Philanthropic Leadership with over 20 years of experience leading high-performing fundraising teams. She lives at the intersection of hands-on fundraising and research-based strategy, helping organizations strike a balance between urgent needs and long-term sustainability. Her doctoral research focuses on why fundraising leaders experience burnout—and how to prevent it. Having navigated both seasons of scarcity and abundance, Amanda brings practical tools, hard-earned lessons, and authentic vulnerability to her work. She is passionate about equipping non-profits to steward both leaders and resources sustainably, so missions don’t just survive, but thrive. Hosts:  Jarrod Williams, MBLI, CFRE, is a courageous, strategic, and results-oriented fundraising leader with over a decade of experience driving revenue growth, donor engagement, and organizational visibility. He is committed to building cultures of philanthropy within mission-driven organizations and brings a proven track record across major gifts, annual giving, corporate sponsorships, event strategy, and data-informed decision-making within both social justice and arts organizations. He serves as a Client Experience Leader for Veritus Group, where he educates and coaches fundraisers across the country on innovative mid-level and major gift strategies. In this role, he partners with organizations nationwide to strengthen donor pipelines, elevate fundraising performance, and build sustainable revenue models. Jarrod has been recognized for his leadership and influence and remains actively engaged in advancing the fundraising profession. He serves on the AFP Global Emerging Leaders Committee and the AFP LEAD Education Committee, supporting the development of the next generation of fundraising professionals. In 2020, he was named a Top 30 Under 30 Young Professional by 101.1 The Wiz in Cincinnati. He is also a graduate of the Urban Leaders Institute through the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, where he earned the Best-in-Class Award for Best Connector—recognizing his ability to build meaningful relationships and mobilize others around a shared vision. He is a proud Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a graduate of the AFP Global Faculty Training Academy.   Dr. Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, CFRE, ACNP, GPC, CAP, Founder & CEO, AQP Consulting & Executive Director, ENP: Dr. Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier has fourteen years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has collectively raised approximately $5 million for over 75 organizations. She serves as Executive Director of ENP and runs her own nonprofit consulting firm, AQP Consulting, where she helps grassroots nonprofits with fundraising strategy, strategic planning, board development, and grant writing.  Allison is a vocal advocate for gender parity, closing the wage gap, and ending the motherhood penalty. With accolades such as AFP’s Outstanding Young Fundraising Professional, NBJ’s 40 Under 40, NBJ’s Women of Influence, a National Latino Leader, and the Women Who Rock Nashville Social Justice Award, Dr. Quintanilla Plattsmier strives to serve and better her community every day. A dedicated AFP member for the last seven years, Allison currently chairs the Women's Impact Initiative (WII) Mentorship Program and serves on the LEAD Education Advisory Committee. When she is not out serving her community, she is spending time with her three kids, Quintan, Karina, and Kamren.