Our Program

Join this energetic session on the professional and personal characteristics of highly accomplished development professionals. In the search business, we see too many fundraising professionals who feel unfulfilled, and often we serve as sounding boards to candidates who seek not just career advancement, but also long-term happiness. In this session, you will learn the key aspects of these professional journeys that contribute to enviable job satisfaction. Together we will examine the evidence, and then through fun interactive exercises, you will gain the confidence to evaluate and improve your own professional trajectory. 

Approved for 1.25 hours of CFRE credit.

Our Presenter

Doug Trout joined DRiWaterstone in 2020 and led the nonprofit search practice starting in 2022; he became Chief Executive Officer in July 2024. Doug has 25 years of experience leading programs, development, and searches for clean energy initiatives, public policy centers, research and cultural institutes, and higher education. His placements include Executive Directors and CEOs, Chief Operating Officers, Chief Technology Officers, Chief Program Officers, Chief Philanthropy and Development Officers, and a wide array of senior and mid-level development positions. He has conducted over 100 searches for DRiWaterstone.

Doug sits on the board of the Association of Fundraising Executives Washington, DC Chapter, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, James Madison University Parents Council, and the James Madison University Center for Civic Engagement. He holds a B.A. from James Madison University and an M.P.A. from George Mason University. He is a past president of the Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives (VAFRE).

A small sampling of his clients include Appalachian Voices, Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Clean Grid Alliance, Clean Grid Initiative, GridLab, Hollyhock Foundation, Howard University, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, National Ability Center, National Audubon Society, Ocean Conservancy, Partnership for Public Service, People for the American Way, The Peterson Institute for International Economics, the U.S. Naval Institute, Trust for the National Mall, Virginia Public Media, The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, and WaterAid.

Our Schedule

• 11:30 a.m. In-person Registration & Networking begins
• 12 p.m. Lunch and Annual Meeting begin 
• 12:15 p.m. Program begins
• 1:30 p.m. Adjourn

Registration Fees

• In-person registration is $20 for members ($0 for those with a Season Pass or $12 for those with a Virtual Season Pass), $25 for nonmembers who work at a member organization, and $30 for guests. All in-person registrants should select their meal during the registration process.
• Virtual registration is $8 for members ($0 for those with a Virtual Season Pass), $11 for nonmembers who work at a member organization and $15 for nonmembers. The virtual registration fees help support the technology costs associated with offering a hybrid event.

If you are not a VAFRE member and do not work in the office of a VAFRE member, consider becoming a member of VAFRE in order to access reduced registration fees.