Peer Mentoring Committee Members Give Back through ServiceSubmitted by Jennifer Dettloff, Co-Chair of Peer Mentoring Committee, Director of Alumni & Volunteer Engagement at UChicago Medicine & Biological Sciences Development The Peer Mentoring Committee is always looking for new members to guide, shape and operate the AFP Chicago Peer Mentoring Program, which connects early- to mid-career fundraisers with more-experienced professionals for a structured, 12-month partnership. This month we’re highlighting our two newest committee members, Logan Heggemann, CFRE, Senior Associate Director, Annual Giving Appeals, University of Chicago, and Kitty Snow, Director of Advancement, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Both joined the committee following their experiences as protégés. Previous program participation is not a requirement to serve on the Peer Mentoring Committee–please contact us if you are a Chapter member interested in learning more about the committee.
1. How did you first get involved with the Peer Mentoring Program? LH: I first got involved in the spring of 2021 when I applied as a protégé and was matched with mentor Christopher Chantson. I moved to Chicago shortly before COVID-19 and was interested in not only expanding my professional network through AFP and the Peer Mentoring Program, but also looking to chart new career growth.
KS: While serving on the AFP Chicago Member Engagement Committee in 2021, I worked with Jennifer Dettloff and Christopher Chantson to execute a virtual member program dedicated to enlightening chapter members on the finer points of the Peer Mentoring program. A year later, I was a member of the Spring 2022 cohort of protégés. John Huebler was my mentor.
2. When you think of your mentor, what one word would you use to describe your experience with this individual? LH: Constructive
KS: Reassuring
3. What made you decide to become a member of the Peer Mentoring Committee? LH: I gained so much from my participation in the Peer Mentoring Program as a protégé, including career advancement and a larger network. I wanted to be a part of providing that experience to other up-and-coming fundraising professionals.
KS: I enjoyed a productive and rewarding peer mentoring relationship with my mentor. He was a voice of reason, shared sage advice, and was a good listener, as I worked my way through a potential career shift that year. I will always be grateful for his presence in my life during that challenging time. It then became apparent to me that I needed to pay it forward and work with future mentors and protégés to help provide the same experience that I had. This year, I am serving as a liaison between a mentor and protégé.
4. Have you been a mentor in the past (formally or informally)? LH: I’ve served informally as a mentor to a colleague during career transitions and growth.
KS: Not formally, but I look forward to serving as a mentor to an AFP Chicago member in the future
5. How is your experience on the committee going so far? LH: I’m really enjoying my time on the committee so far! Serving as a liaison has been great because it’s given me a different perspective on the mentor/protégé dynamic while also allowing me greater involvement within AFP.
KS: My time on this committee has been well worth it. I continue to be impressed by the professional fundraising knowledge and ideas shared by other committee members, and relish in the fact that I am still learning from all these colleagues, all the while helping to support this program.
6. Many chapter members are looking for a volunteer opportunity. What would you share with them 1) about the Peer Mentoring program; and 2) about serving on the committee? LH: The Peer Mentoring program was instrumental for me as I transitioned from an early- to mid-career professional. Working closely with Christopher as my mentor helped me chart a new path as a fundraiser, build my skills, and grow my network.
Serving on the Peer Mentoring Committee has been an invaluable experience so far. It’s a reasonable time commitment, gives you exposure to other professionals and practice areas you might not have had before, and can even offer career advancement through the sharing of new job opportunities and professional connections.
KS: The Peer Mentoring program is a key component to the AFP Chicago Chapter that can only enhance our own professionalism, whether we’re protégés or mentors or committee liaisons. And it’s a great way to engage with someone new to make a positive difference in their professional life.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, Logan and Kitty. We’re delighted to you have as members of the Peer Mentoring Committee. If you would like to learn more about the Peer Mentoring Program or the committee, please contact me ([email protected]) or my committee Co-Chair, Christopher Chantson ([email protected]). We’d love to connect with you.
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