Happy Place: A Conversation with Stephanie Willis, Author of The Art and Science Approach to Fundraising Data and Research

Stephanie Willis is a philanthropy strategist, fundraising data and research expert, consultant, and author of The Art and Science Approach to Fundraising Data and Research. Stephanie has spent nearly 15 years helping nonprofit organizations strengthen their fundraising through better data, research, strategy, and donor engagement. Today, she is a consultant with Creative Fundraising Advisors, where she advises organizations on data audits, database strategy, prospect development, and data integrity. She also serves on the Apra Board of Directors and as president of the Apra Foundation. In this episode, we trace Stephanie’s path and the experiences that shaped how she thinks about work, resilience, and community — from the loss of her mother and the tornado that struck her town to questions about AI, data, and the future of fundraising and philanthropy — beginning with how she makes her workplace a “happy place.”