Make Networking Work for You (Just in Time for the Ask the Experts Conference)

In this episode of The Development Download, we're joined by Jamie Spiva, CFRE, Senior Director of Major Gifts and Foundations at Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, and LaGina Rae Harris, owner of The Us Space and a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur. Jamie also serves as Chair of AFP Greater Houston's 2026 Ask the Experts Conference. Together, we explore how to make networking actually work for you. We focus on one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of networking: the follow-up. Jamie and Lagina share creative, actionable ways to build on the energy of a first meeting and turn introductions into meaningful relationships. We also preview this year's Ask the Experts Conference and its new focus on facilitated networking. If you've ever felt unsure about networking, or want to get more out of the connections you're already making, this episode is for you.