Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the fundraising landscape—but how can fundraisers harness its potential without losing the human relationships at the heart of philanthropy?

This interactive workshop explores practical applications of AI across prospect research, donor engagement, communications, data analysis and strategy, while examining important questions around biases, privacy, ethics and authenticity. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of AI’s strengths and limitations and consider how fundraising professionals can thoughtfully and responsibly use AI to work smarter, strengthen donor relationships and futureproof their careers.

Target Audience: Mid-career and senior fundraising professionals, managers, and organizational leaders.

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Format: Hybrid:
***Registration for our In-Person Session has closed. Virtual Registration is still available!***
Register for our Virtual Session!

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SCHEDULE
9:00 - 9:30 AM: Registration and Networking
9:30 - 11:00 AM: Presentation, Panel Discussion, and Q&A

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DATE & LOCATION
Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
Location: Quarles & Brady LLP, 155 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 3200, Chicago, IL, 60606
ID required to enter

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COST
$40 - AFP Chicago Members
$60 - Non-AFP Chicago Members

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PRESENTING SPONSOR

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Presenters

Katelyn Martin is Managing Director, Client Experience at Campbell & Company. During over 12 years with the firm, she has developed expertise in leveraging data to influence decision-making, serving as an effective “translator” between technical and non-technical audiences. In a recent role, she led the firm's data and operations team; now, she oversees a multi-disciplinary team of project owners, focusing on ensuring the best experience for our clients including through responsible and ethical use of AI. Katelyn enjoys building systems and processes that, together with thoughtful relationship strategy, lead to stronger fundraising outcomes. 

Prior to joining Campbell & Company in 2013, Katelyn held fundraising roles with the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and the Boston Children’s Chorus. She also worked as a management consultant with The Hackett Group, serving a wide array of Fortune 500 clients.

Katelyn graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Arts Management from Northwestern University, where she studied in the Voice and Opera program. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two children.

Jeffery Beckham Jr. is a Chicago-based executive, entrepreneur, artist, and nationally recognized leader working at the intersection of education, technology, and economic mobility. He serves as CEO of Chicago Scholars, one of the nation’s leading college access and success organizations, and CEO of REACH Pathways, an education technology company using human-centered AI to help young people build the skills, confidence, and networks needed for the future of work. Across both organizations, Jeffery has championed the thoughtful use of AI to strengthen teams, increase organizational productivity, and create more capacity for the deeply human work at the center of their missions.

Jeffery is an Obama Foundation USA Leader, a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, a Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Black Leader, and a Chicago Innovation Award recipient through his work with REACH Pathways. His leadership and perspective have been featured by organizations and platforms including McKinsey & Company, SXSW EDU, WBEZ, ABC, CBS, and the Economic Club of Chicago. Whether leading organizations, building technology, speaking, or creating art, Jeffery’s work is grounded in a simple belief: innovation matters most when it expands what people are capable of doing and who gets the opportunity to thrive.

Rachelle Bennett has spent nearly two decades helping mission-driven organizations turn generosity into impact. Across health care, education, human services, and international development, she has built a reputation for pairing strategic rigor with genuine relationship-building. 

Most recently, Rachelle served as Associate Vice President as The Compass Group in strategic nonprofit consulting. Prior to that, she was the Area Managing Director for ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, directing fundraising across Northern Illinois and Wisconsin. Earlier in her career, she spent several years at Americares, an international health and disaster relief organization, where she cultivated major donor relationships and built partnerships with corporate and foundation funders.

Rachelle's fundraising path began with roles at Indiana University Foundation and CCS Fundraising. At IU, she connected with alumni and donors during the university's landmark $3.5 billion For All campaign. At CCS, she guided clients through feasibility studies and managed campaigns ranging from $25 to $30 million.

Today, Rachelle is channeling that experience into a new venture, with a particular passion for connecting donors to the causes that move and inspire them most. She holds a Master of Public Affairs in Nonprofit Management and a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University.

Fernanda Valentino is the Director of Annual Giving at National Louis University, where she leads strategies focused on donor engagement, retention, stewardship, and building a culture of philanthropy. With a career spanning higher education, nonprofit fundraising, and the technology sector, she brings a cross-sector perspective to building relationships, engaging communities, and advancing organizational missions, including through advancement roles at Big Shoulders Fund and UCLA. She serves as Co-Chair of AFP Chicago’s Continuous Learning Committee and on its Member Engagement Committee, as well as the Big Shoulders Fund Chair’s Advisory Committee. Fernanda is particularly interested in how data, technology, and AI can strengthen fundraising while keeping authentic human connection at the heart of donor relationships.