Secrets to maximize event revenue.
Agenda at a Glance
Monday, March 23
Tuesday, March 24
Wednesday, March 25
Thursday, March 26
Beyond the ask: stewardship that scales
Lynne Wester
Founder & Principal, Donor Relations Group
For over two decades, Lynne Wester has been a dynamic force in the fundraising world, redefining how organizations think about and engage with their donors. A bold believer that donor relations is the secret sauce to fundraising success, Lynne champions the idea that the donor experience should be just as intentional and strategic as the ask itself. Renowned for her ability to challenge the status quo in all the right ways, Lynne steps in when organizations are facing pivotal moments — whether navigating a crisis or seizing an opportunity. Her approach? Smart strategy, authentic connection, and fearless innovation. As the founder and principal of DRG, Lynne leads a powerhouse team of experts who work with nonprofits of all sizes to transform their fundraising outcomes.
The art of the live ask
Samantha Swaim
Founder, Swaim Strategies
Samantha Swaim has more than 20 years of event planning and fundraising expertise. She founded Swaim Strategies, a fundraising event consultancy, in 2004, working internationally with nonprofit organizations to produce impactful events that move missions forward. Samantha is the co-author of “Planning a Successful Major Donor Event”, is the founder of the annual Elevate fundraising event conference scheduled for March 3-4, 2026 and is the co-host of “The Fundraising Elevator” podcast. She is on a mission to support nonprofits in elevating their impact through events.
Centering community & antiracist principles in every event
Rachel D'Souza
Founder, Gladiator Consulting
Rachel D'Souza is the founder of Gladiator Consulting, a boutique firm serving nonprofits across the country. Through Gladiator, Rachel has served as an innovator and pioneer in the Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) movement, a global initiative to reimagine the nonprofit sector through a lens of radical collaboration, racial equity, social justice, and decolonization, and is a member of the CCF Global Council. In 2024, Rachel became the first person of color to serve as Board President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater St. Louis in its forty-nine year history. She recently graduated with her second Masters Degree at the Washington University School of Law, and hopes to build more transformative connections between the nonprofit and public sectors.
Ask the Experts: Maximizing event revenue
