2010 APRA, Missouri/Kansas Chapter Board of Directors
Past President
Valerie Parker
Development Officer, Prospect Management and Research, Webster University
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Valerie Parker joined Webster University as the Development Officer – Prospect Management and Research in April 2003. Her
primary responsibilities at Webster University include conducting summary and full profile biographical research on University
constituents in support of major gift solicitations for University priorities; chairing the prospect management committee;
identifying and recommending qualified individual and organizational prospects to the prospect management committee;
serving as primary faculty contact for sponsored project research and local administration and training for the SMARTS, SPIN
and GENIUS databases; and managing one research staff position.
Prior to joining Webster, Valerie worked for ten years at Whittier College in Whittier, California during which time she spent
six years as Manager of Research; two years working directly with the Executive Director for Capital Campaign, Director of
Foundations and Corporate Relations, and the Director of Major Gifts; and two years for the Vice President for External
Affairs and the AVP for Development. She spent 16 years at Concordia Seminary prior to her service at Whittier College in a
variety of roles – working for the Dean of Student Life in the admissions/recruitment office and in the Seminary’s public
relations department.
Valerie is a member of both APRA MO-KAN and International and is involved in APRA through attending and volunteering at
the International Conferences, participating in MO-KAN regional gatherings, serving as an APRA MO-KAN mentor, participating
in APRA Virtual Seminars and serving on the APRA Scholarship and Margaret Fuhry Grant Committee in 2004. Valerie co-
presented at the 2004 AFP Fundraising Fundamentals Series. Currently she is responsible for sponsors/vendors for the 2005
APRA MO-KAN Chapter Conference and was the host of the 2004 APRA MO-KAN Chapter Conference. Valerie also volunteered
in a number of capacities and hosted one CARA Chapter Conference as a member of CARA while residing in California.
Valerie Parker
Development Officer, Prospect Management and Research, Webster University
Valerie Parker joined Webster University as the Development Officer – Prospect Management and Research in April 2003. Her
primary responsibilities at Webster University include conducting summary and full profile biographical research on University
constituents in support of major gift solicitations for University priorities; chairing the prospect management committee;
identifying and recommending qualified individual and organizational prospects to the prospect management committee;
serving as primary faculty contact for sponsored project research and local administration and training for the SMARTS, SPIN
and GENIUS databases; and managing one research staff position.
Prior to joining Webster, Valerie worked for ten years at Whittier College in Whittier, California during which time she spent
six years as Manager of Research; two years working directly with the Executive Director for Capital Campaign, Director of
Foundations and Corporate Relations, and the Director of Major Gifts; and two years for the Vice President for External
Affairs and the AVP for Development. She spent 16 years at Concordia Seminary prior to her service at Whittier College in a
variety of roles – working for the Dean of Student Life in the admissions/recruitment office and in the Seminary’s public
relations department.
Valerie is a member of both APRA MO-KAN and International and is involved in APRA through attending and volunteering at
the International Conferences, participating in MO-KAN regional gatherings, serving as an APRA MO-KAN mentor, participating
in APRA Virtual Seminars and serving on the APRA Scholarship and Margaret Fuhry Grant Committee in 2004. Valerie co-
presented at the 2004 AFP Fundraising Fundamentals Series. Currently she is responsible for sponsors/vendors for the 2005
APRA MO-KAN Chapter Conference and was the host of the 2004 APRA MO-KAN Chapter Conference. Valerie also volunteered
in a number of capacities and hosted one CARA Chapter Conference as a member of CARA while residing in California.
President
Cathy Harper
Prospect Research Manager, Saint Louis Art Museum
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Cathy’s membership in APRA International and MO-KAN began in 2002. Since then, she’s served on the 2002 Margaret Fuhry
Grant selection committee and completed APRA’s Boot Camp training in February 2002. In addition, she’s participated locally
in APRA Mo-Kan as the St. Louis Regional Representative, Membership Director and Vice President.
Cathy works for the Saint Louis Art Museum as Prospect Research Manager. She’s responsible for prospect management,
research and database selections with regard to the Museum’s $125 million capital campaign. She brings more than 15 years
of non-profit fundraising experience to her current position.
Prior to working for the Saint Louis Art Museum, Cathy was the Development researcher at Ranken Technical College for five
years. As Coordinator of Research and Records, she researched prospective donors for Ranken’s $10 million Centennial
campaign. In addition, she managed periodic prospect review sessions, created dynamic mail lists for campus-wide and off-
campus mailings, oversaw Development’s database and supervised the Records Specialist.
Cathy is a graduate of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln where she earned a BA degree with dual majors in Journalism and
English. She also earned certification from the National Institute of Planned Giving at the College of William and Mary.
Cathy Harper
Prospect Research Manager, Saint Louis Art Museum
Cathy’s membership in APRA International and MO-KAN began in 2002. Since then, she’s served on the 2002 Margaret Fuhry
Grant selection committee and completed APRA’s Boot Camp training in February 2002. In addition, she’s participated locally
in APRA Mo-Kan as the St. Louis Regional Representative, Membership Director and Vice President.
Cathy works for the Saint Louis Art Museum as Prospect Research Manager. She’s responsible for prospect management,
research and database selections with regard to the Museum’s $125 million capital campaign. She brings more than 15 years
of non-profit fundraising experience to her current position.
Prior to working for the Saint Louis Art Museum, Cathy was the Development researcher at Ranken Technical College for five
years. As Coordinator of Research and Records, she researched prospective donors for Ranken’s $10 million Centennial
campaign. In addition, she managed periodic prospect review sessions, created dynamic mail lists for campus-wide and off-
campus mailings, oversaw Development’s database and supervised the Records Specialist.
Cathy is a graduate of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln where she earned a BA degree with dual majors in Journalism and
English. She also earned certification from the National Institute of Planned Giving at the College of William and Mary.
Treasurer
Sophia Toumbalakis
Saint Louis University
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Sophia Toumbalakis
Saint Louis University
Vice President
Christy Wineland
Ast. Director of Advancement Research & Prospect Management,
University of Missouri-Kansas City Foundation
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Christy can be found riding the trials and triumphs of the success of her alma mater, University of Missouri-Kansas City, new
Foundation. As a two year veteran at UMKC, Christy enjoys reading and implementing creative and off-beat ideas in relation
to prospect research, fund raising and
data-mining has become a passion.
Since 2005, Christy has been a member of APRA MO-KAN and APRA International. She has attended numerous on-line
seminars, local and national conferences. She is also serves on a subcommittee of the Council of Philanthropy and is a
member of CASE. Christy is also a conference speaker with past topics on communication with alumni with disabilities,
prospect profile research/comparison and ethics.
Christy is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she earned a BS in criminal justice and english. Being an
overachiever, she then went to Kansas City to complete her JD and MPA in Nonprofit Management at the same time.
Although she is not actively practicing law, she is very popular among friends and co-workers who are chronic speeders.
Christy also completed the Certificate in Fund Raising from the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership.
Christy Wineland
Ast. Director of Advancement Research & Prospect Management,
University of Missouri-Kansas City Foundation
Christy can be found riding the trials and triumphs of the success of her alma mater, University of Missouri-Kansas City, new
Foundation. As a two year veteran at UMKC, Christy enjoys reading and implementing creative and off-beat ideas in relation
to prospect research, fund raising and
data-mining has become a passion.
Since 2005, Christy has been a member of APRA MO-KAN and APRA International. She has attended numerous on-line
seminars, local and national conferences. She is also serves on a subcommittee of the Council of Philanthropy and is a
member of CASE. Christy is also a conference speaker with past topics on communication with alumni with disabilities,
prospect profile research/comparison and ethics.
Christy is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she earned a BS in criminal justice and english. Being an
overachiever, she then went to Kansas City to complete her JD and MPA in Nonprofit Management at the same time.
Although she is not actively practicing law, she is very popular among friends and co-workers who are chronic speeders.
Christy also completed the Certificate in Fund Raising from the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership.
Program Director
Pamela Miller
Gift Planning Officer, PKD Foundation
Email
As Gift Planning Officer for the PKD Foundation, Pamela provides overall guidance and management of the estate gift planning
program to assist donors to not only meet their own personal and financial goals, but also realize their dream of a world
without PKD. She also conducts prospect and development research for the Foundation.
Pam has served as Director of Major Gifts at William Jewell College, Senior Development Director at Rockhurst University,
Director of Major Gifts for the Kansas University Endowment Association at the KU Medical Center, and as Associate National
Director of Development for the national office of Camp Fire. In addition, she has several years experience in marketing
financial services to nonprofit organizations and employee benefit programs.
Pam is a member of several nonprofit organizations, including the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement –
Missouri/Kansas Chapter since 2004, the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Mid-America Chapter where she has served
in several leadership roles, the Mid-America Planned Giving Council and the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning, Nonprofit
Connect, the Northland Giving Circle, and is a past president of the Rockhurst University Alumni Board of Directors. She is
an active alumna of Centurions, the leadership program of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City. Pam received
a Bachelor of Arts and an M.B.A. from Rockhurst University, and is the 1978 Missouri Truman Scholar.
Pamela Miller
Gift Planning Officer, PKD Foundation
As Gift Planning Officer for the PKD Foundation, Pamela provides overall guidance and management of the estate gift planning
program to assist donors to not only meet their own personal and financial goals, but also realize their dream of a world
without PKD. She also conducts prospect and development research for the Foundation.
Pam has served as Director of Major Gifts at William Jewell College, Senior Development Director at Rockhurst University,
Director of Major Gifts for the Kansas University Endowment Association at the KU Medical Center, and as Associate National
Director of Development for the national office of Camp Fire. In addition, she has several years experience in marketing
financial services to nonprofit organizations and employee benefit programs.
Pam is a member of several nonprofit organizations, including the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement –
Missouri/Kansas Chapter since 2004, the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Mid-America Chapter where she has served
in several leadership roles, the Mid-America Planned Giving Council and the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning, Nonprofit
Connect, the Northland Giving Circle, and is a past president of the Rockhurst University Alumni Board of Directors. She is
an active alumna of Centurions, the leadership program of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City. Pam received
a Bachelor of Arts and an M.B.A. from Rockhurst University, and is the 1978 Missouri Truman Scholar.
Communications Director
Jim Klasinski
Director of Prospect Research, Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics
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After graduating from college and the requisite stint in retail, Jim Klasinski began his fundraising career 22 years ago in the
Development Office at St. Mary’s Hospital of Blue Springs, MO. At St. Mary’s, Jim performed a variety of fundraising duties
and provided staff support for the hospital Auxiliary. He worked there for almost 10 years before leaving for Rockhurst
University in Kansas City, where he was hired as a Research Analyst and eventually became Director of Prospect Management
and Research. While at Rockhurst, Jim helped the research office make the transition from “traditional research” (libraries,
courthouses, etc.) to the “digital age” (Internet-based research). After 11 years at Rockhurst, he was lured away to a work-
from-home job for the PKD Foundation in Kansas City where he served as Manager, Development Research. In January 2009,
Jim began his current adventure as Director of Prospect Research at Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinics in Kansas City.
With his natural curiosity and love of the Internet, the favorite part of Jim’s job is doing the research, whether it’s helping
to clean up a database or creating a full profile for a major gift ask!
Jim is a graduate of the University of Central Missouri with a BS degree in Public Relations. He also has an MA degree in
Media Communications from Webster University.
Jim Klasinski
Director of Prospect Research, Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics
After graduating from college and the requisite stint in retail, Jim Klasinski began his fundraising career 22 years ago in the
Development Office at St. Mary’s Hospital of Blue Springs, MO. At St. Mary’s, Jim performed a variety of fundraising duties
and provided staff support for the hospital Auxiliary. He worked there for almost 10 years before leaving for Rockhurst
University in Kansas City, where he was hired as a Research Analyst and eventually became Director of Prospect Management
and Research. While at Rockhurst, Jim helped the research office make the transition from “traditional research” (libraries,
courthouses, etc.) to the “digital age” (Internet-based research). After 11 years at Rockhurst, he was lured away to a work-
from-home job for the PKD Foundation in Kansas City where he served as Manager, Development Research. In January 2009,
Jim began his current adventure as Director of Prospect Research at Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinics in Kansas City.
With his natural curiosity and love of the Internet, the favorite part of Jim’s job is doing the research, whether it’s helping
to clean up a database or creating a full profile for a major gift ask!
Jim is a graduate of the University of Central Missouri with a BS degree in Public Relations. He also has an MA degree in
Media Communications from Webster University.
Professional Development Director
A. Kelsey Mathias
Concordia Seminary
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Kelsey began working with the Concordia Seminary Development team in 2005. In his first role, he served as an Administrative
Assistant, providing support to Gift Officers. In 2006, he was promoted to a new role wherein he served as Assistant to the
Director of Gift Operations and to the Director of the Annual Fund. In April 2008, he accepted his current role as the
Seminary’s first full-time Research Analyst. That same year, he was awarded the Margaret Fuhry Scholarship from APRA
Missouri-Kansas. As such, he attended the APRA International Conference where, not content to rest on his laurels, he
served as a volunteer. Kelsey is an active member of both APRA International and the APRA Missouri-Kansas chapter,
including participation in the APRA Missouri-Kansas conference in spring 2008, attendance at various virtual seminars, and
membership in the APRA Missouri-Kansas mentor program. His enthusiasm and dedication will energize the board and enrich
the APRA Missouri-Kansas organization as a whole.
A. Kelsey Mathias
Concordia Seminary
Kelsey began working with the Concordia Seminary Development team in 2005. In his first role, he served as an Administrative
Assistant, providing support to Gift Officers. In 2006, he was promoted to a new role wherein he served as Assistant to the
Director of Gift Operations and to the Director of the Annual Fund. In April 2008, he accepted his current role as the
Seminary’s first full-time Research Analyst. That same year, he was awarded the Margaret Fuhry Scholarship from APRA
Missouri-Kansas. As such, he attended the APRA International Conference where, not content to rest on his laurels, he
served as a volunteer. Kelsey is an active member of both APRA International and the APRA Missouri-Kansas chapter,
including participation in the APRA Missouri-Kansas conference in spring 2008, attendance at various virtual seminars, and
membership in the APRA Missouri-Kansas mentor program. His enthusiasm and dedication will energize the board and enrich
the APRA Missouri-Kansas organization as a whole.
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Membership Director
Lori Westermeier
Assistant Director of Research, Washington University in Saint Louis
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Lori worked in her university library throughout her undergraduate and graduate years at Southern Illinois University,
Carbondale, and stumbled into her first development research job when a colleague pointed out a job listing for a research
position and said "They like library people." After six years as a prospect researcher at SIU, she moved east and worked for
Johns Hopkins Institutions as a Senior Research Analyst, were she was responsible for prospecting projects for several areas
within Johns Hopkins Medicine. She considers learning to drive on the Baltimore and DC beltways among her biggest
achievements while living in Maryland. After four years at Hopkins, she returned to the more traffic-friendly midwest and
took the position of Assistant Director of Development Research at Washington University, where her duties include
developing and overseeing the department's research liaison program. When not cultivating her outer-know-it-all nerd while
researching in her WU office, she is cultivating her inner-know-it-all nerd at home by expanding her knowledge of useless
pop culture trivia. She lives with her partner, Amy, two cats, and a stinky pug in St. Louis City.
Lori Westermeier
Assistant Director of Research, Washington University in Saint Louis
Lori worked in her university library throughout her undergraduate and graduate years at Southern Illinois University,
Carbondale, and stumbled into her first development research job when a colleague pointed out a job listing for a research
position and said "They like library people." After six years as a prospect researcher at SIU, she moved east and worked for
Johns Hopkins Institutions as a Senior Research Analyst, were she was responsible for prospecting projects for several areas
within Johns Hopkins Medicine. She considers learning to drive on the Baltimore and DC beltways among her biggest
achievements while living in Maryland. After four years at Hopkins, she returned to the more traffic-friendly midwest and
took the position of Assistant Director of Development Research at Washington University, where her duties include
developing and overseeing the department's research liaison program. When not cultivating her outer-know-it-all nerd while
researching in her WU office, she is cultivating her inner-know-it-all nerd at home by expanding her knowledge of useless
pop culture trivia. She lives with her partner, Amy, two cats, and a stinky pug in St. Louis City.
Secretary
Jenny Crews
Director of Prospect Management and Research, Missouri State University
Email
Jenny became a member of APRA International and MO-KAN in 2001; the Director of Development at that time suggested the
organization as a critical arm of prospect research. Jenny agrees, citing the value of learning useful, solid information
through conferences and the APRA website and Connections. She is also a member of CASE (Council for Advancement and
Support of Education) and AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals).
Jenny began working in Development at Missouri State University, her alma mater, in 2001 as Development Specialist. A year
later, when a new position, “Director of Development Research,” was created, Jenny was promoted to that position. In that
capacity, she began building a Prospect Research Department within the Development Office. Over the years, the position
changed and new responsibilities were added; the title is now “Director of Prospect Management and Research,” and the
job entails all facets of moves management, as well as all aspects of prospect research and supervision of a graduate
assistant.
Prior to working in Development, Jenny worked in other departments of the University, including Sponsored Programs and
Taylor Health and Wellness Center. She has been a media coordinator with a marketing firm and a substitute teacher in the
public school system, and she has worked in virtually every aspect of retail over a 20-year span, starting out as a sales
associate, moving on to store manager of a hosiery boutique, to department manager and office manager in a department
store chain, and finally on to administrative assistant to the CEO within that chain. In a nutshell, she has both academic and
real-world work experience.
She received her BA in English, with emphasis in Creative Writing, in 1996, from Missouri State University where she minored
in Communication.
Jenny Crews
Director of Prospect Management and Research, Missouri State University
Jenny became a member of APRA International and MO-KAN in 2001; the Director of Development at that time suggested the
organization as a critical arm of prospect research. Jenny agrees, citing the value of learning useful, solid information
through conferences and the APRA website and Connections. She is also a member of CASE (Council for Advancement and
Support of Education) and AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals).
Jenny began working in Development at Missouri State University, her alma mater, in 2001 as Development Specialist. A year
later, when a new position, “Director of Development Research,” was created, Jenny was promoted to that position. In that
capacity, she began building a Prospect Research Department within the Development Office. Over the years, the position
changed and new responsibilities were added; the title is now “Director of Prospect Management and Research,” and the
job entails all facets of moves management, as well as all aspects of prospect research and supervision of a graduate
assistant.
Prior to working in Development, Jenny worked in other departments of the University, including Sponsored Programs and
Taylor Health and Wellness Center. She has been a media coordinator with a marketing firm and a substitute teacher in the
public school system, and she has worked in virtually every aspect of retail over a 20-year span, starting out as a sales
associate, moving on to store manager of a hosiery boutique, to department manager and office manager in a department
store chain, and finally on to administrative assistant to the CEO within that chain. In a nutshell, she has both academic and
real-world work experience.
She received her BA in English, with emphasis in Creative Writing, in 1996, from Missouri State University where she minored
in Communication.
APRA, Missouri/Kansas Chapter
Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement
Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement
