Join a candid conversation with seasoned development leaders as they reflect on how fundraising has evolved and where it must go next. Celebrating not only tenure, this panel will also emphasize practical insight, continuous learning, and inclusive leadership.
Panelists will share lessons learned, moments of recalibration, and strategies for building authentic donor relationships in a changing landscape. The discussion will also explore how to expand effectiveness through lessons learned, the importance of mentorship and what it can look like, and how to strengthen the next generation of professionals.
Following the session, attendees will be able to:
- Identify 2-3 practical fundraising approaches that are effective across experience levels and organizational contexts.
- Apply strategies to build more inclusive, relationship-centered donor engagement practices.
- Recognize ways to expand access, mentorship, and visibility for emerging professionals.
- Gain tools to seek beneficial mentorship experiences.
- Commit to one actionable change that strengthens individual and team effectiveness.
Speaker Information:
Ken Bartels
Principal at Ken Bartels Consulting (KBC) & Senior Vice President & Director at Community Bank of Elmhurst
A founder of West Suburban Philanthropy Network, Ken has 52 years of fundraising experience, 36 of which were in higher education at Carthage College, Marquette University, and Elmhurst College/University. KBC is focused on board management, educational seminars, and strategic planning.
Honors shared with Ken include: WSPN Distinguished Service Award, Carthage College Alumni Service Award, Elmhurst Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, Elmhurst University Bluejay’s Hall of Fame, Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry Civic Hall of Fame, and Vice President for College Relations Emeritus at Elmhurst University.
Gina Gramarosso
Senior Director of Philanthropy
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Gina has launched many new programs during her 33-year career, including annual giving programs, phone-a-thons, advisory councils, and regional fundraising offices. She was hired 10 years ago to build out and grow the major and planned giving programs at Northern Illinois Food Bank. During this time, cash contributions have grown from $10M to $25M, portfolio management has grown from 50 donors to over 750 donors, and the legacy society has grown from 7 to 134 members.
Her career started her senior year of college with an internship at the Southern Illinois University Foundation, where she would work for a total of 10 years. She was Director of Alumni Relations and Associate Director of Development at North Central College and Director of Alumni and Development – Chicago Region for Drake University. During a hiatus to be a stay-at-home mom, she worked part-time at the DuPage Children’s Museum and at the College of DuPage Foundation.
She lives in Naperville, where she serves on the Grace Church Foundation Board. Prior to the establishment of WSPN, she was active in the Women in Development West group and the National Society of Fund Raising Executives (AFP’s former name).
David M. McGowan, CFRE
President and CEO
Dave McGown Consulting LLC
David M. McGowan, CFRE, was the chief staff officer of DuPage Foundation for 25 years. He started as its executive director in 1998, was named president in 2003, and named CEO in 2015. He retired from the Foundation at the end of 2022 and started his consulting practice in January 2023.
Dave became a certified fundraising executive in 1987. He has nearly 45 years of experience in fundraising, grantmaking, and not-for-profit management in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Dave is the recipient of the 2009 West Suburban Philanthropic Network Distinguished Service Award, the 2022 Loaves & Fishes Community Partner Award, the 2022 West Suburban Philanthropic Network Humanitarian of the Year Award, the 2022 Career & Networking Center Service Award, the 2022 People's Resource Center Community Impact Award and the 2026 Metropolitan Family Services DuPage Legacy Award.
PENDING APPROVAL for CFRE Credit - Full participation in this session may be applicable for 1.25 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
