Online registration for the in-person session has closed. You may still register for the virtual program, or email admin@vafre.org to determine availability for the in-person session.

Our Program

Securing a gift is just step one—keeping donors engaged is where long-term impact happens. Join our panel of industry experts as they break down modern donor stewardship strategies, impactful storytelling, and practical retention methods to build lifelong donor relationships.  

Our Panelists

Leah Coltrane is the Annual Fund Manager at the Richmond Symphony, where she develops and implements strategic fundraising initiatives that strengthen donor relationships, increase philanthropic support, and enhance the donor experience. A 2022 graduate of Hollins University, Leah began her career in Richmond’s nonprofit sector, gaining experience in nonprofit administration, grant writing, fundraising, and donor relations. Her work reflects a commitment to building meaningful relationships between nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve. As a fundraising professional, Leah specializes in translating donor insights into actionable solicitation and stewardship strategies. Her work includes managing targeted, multichannel fundraising campaigns, analyzing giving patterns, and developing segmented outreach initiatives that advance annual fundraising goals, encourage donor retention, and foster long-term philanthropic engagement.

Jenn Cornell serves as executive director of the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development Foundation. She oversees a team of advancement professionals charged with building lasting philanthropic relationships with alumni, parents, and friends of the school. As the daughter and granddaughter of educators, Jenn is humbled to identify new sources of financial support for EHD’s students, faculty, and staff. She joined the EHD Foundation in 2017. She previously ran her own consulting firm, serving a variety of higher ed, nonprofit, for-profit, and government clients. Jenn spent over twenty years in the for-profit business world, in a variety of marketing, operations, and project management leadership roles in Richmond, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. A native of Connecticut, she lives in Westover Hills with her husband, Todd, where they love hiking and biking along the James River. They have three amazing adult children, plus a wonderful daughter-in-law, and a brand new granddaughter.

Amy Smith serves as the Director of Donor Experience at Sportable, a Richmond-based nonprofit that provides sports and recreation opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments. With 10 years of nonprofit development experience, Amy specializes in donor stewardship, engagement, and relationship-building. At Sportable, she leads strategies to strengthen donor retention, deepen relationships, and foster a culture of philanthropy. Her work encompasses annual giving, donor communications, and recurring giving. She is also spearheading the development of donor recognition societies and planned giving initiatives. Amy is passionate about creating thoughtful, personalized donor experiences that extend well beyond the gift acknowledgment. She believes effective stewardship begins with understanding what motivates donors and helping them see the impact of their generosity. Through authentic storytelling, intentional communication, and relationship-building, she works to ensure donors feel valued, connected, and invested in the mission they support. When she's not thinking about donor stewardship, Amy is probably on a pickleball court, spending time with family and friends, or convincing her husband that the view from the summit is worth the climb.

Our moderator, Robinette Tiller, is the Director of Donor Relations for the Office of Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations at Virginia Commonwealth University. Bringing over two decades of expertise in non-profit fundraising and higher education advancement, she leads strategic donor relations across the VCU School of Medicine, VCU Health System, and the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. Throughout her career, Robinette has dedicated herself to cultivating meaningful donor experiences that drive philanthropic investment into healthcare excellence, patient care, and academic research. She is actively involved in professional organizations, having served as past president of VAFRE and as a mentor in VAFRE's Professional Partnership Program. She is also a member and presenter for both VAFRE and the National Association of Cancer Centers Development Offices (NACCDO). In addition to her professional work, she teaches courses on Annual Giving, Direct Mail, and Donor Relations at the University of Richmond's Institute on Philanthropy in the Continuing Education Series. Robinette has also received her CFRE certificiation.

Our Schedule

• 11:30 a.m. In-person Registration & Networking begins
• 12 p.m. Lunch 
• 12:10 Program begins 
• 1:30 p.m. Adjourn

Registration Fees

• In-person registration is $25 for members  of VAFRE ($0 for those with a Season Pass or $15 for those with a Virtual Season Pass), $30 for nonmembers who work at a member organization and for members of the Central Virginia Chapter AFP, and $40 for guests. All in-person registrants should select their meal during the registration process.
• Virtual registration is $10 for members ($0 for those with a Virtual Season Pass), $13 for nonmembers who work at a member organization and for members of the Central Virginia Chapter AFP, and $20 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 member, consider becoming a member of VAFRE in order to access reduced registration fees.