Rising Stars
From Coordinator to Director: Building Your Fundraising Career
Monday, November 16, 2026
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
NYU Office of Alumni Relations
115 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003
Registration Fees:
Young Professional & Students: $35
Young Professional & Students Non-member: $40
Member: $45 | Non-member: $50
Registration closes November 15!
What does it really take to advance your career in fundraising? This candid conversation will explore the decisions and strategies that can help you move from Coordinator to Director—from knowing when to stay or make a move, to gaining management experience, expanding your skill set, and avoiding getting pigeonholed in one area of development. Whether you’re looking to take your next step or map out your long-term career path, this discussion will offer practical insights to help you build a fulfilling and successful fundraising career.
Meet Our Rising Stars Speakers!
Tiffany Christopher
Associate Vice President of Development, Marist University
Tiffany Christopher serves as Marist University's Associate Vice President for Development, overseeing major gifts, planned gifts, annual fund, athletics, and corporate, foundation, and government grant fundraising. Tiffany joined the Marist community in August 2026.
Prior to joining Marist, Tiffany served as Director of Development for the Discovery Program at Cornell University where she also fundraised as a major gift officer. She spearheaded the strategic vision of the Discovery team, focusing on a dual mission: to identify and grow future major and principal gift donors to Cornell and to develop industry talent for continued growth and success in the development profession.
Tiffany's prior higher education experience includes advancement roles at NYU Law School and Columbia University. She also holds an MBA from Cornell and serves on the Board of Directors for Women in Development, NY.
Lauren Reynolds
Director of Corporate and Individual Giving, Uncommon Schools
Lauren Reynolds is a dedicated advocate for educational equity, currently helping lead fundraising efforts for Uncommon Schools in New York City, whose mission is to start and operate outstanding urban public schools that close the college completion gap and prepare students from low-income communities to graduate from college. Her career began with Teach for America, eventually leading her to serve as a school leader of a large charter high school in Brooklyn and subsequently working in the International (IB) education system abroad. Lauren also previously served as a Director of Alumni Affairs at Dartmouth, where she oversaw the Women of Dartmouth network. She holds a BA from Dartmouth ('09) and an M.Ed from Fordham ('11). Lauren is passionate about connecting philanthropic partners with high-impact causes in education with a focus on college access, financial literacy, career readiness, STEM, and AI literacy.
Abby Lawrence
Director of Annual Giving & Advancement Operations, The Churchill School and Center New York
Abby Lawrence is Director of Annual Giving & Advancement Operations at The Churchill School and Center in New York City, which provides an innovative and transformational K–12 learning community that empowers students with language-based learning disabilities. Her career in education advancement has spanned independent schools and youth-serving educational nonprofits, with experience in annual giving, donor relations, fundraising events, operations, and communications.
Before joining Churchill in January 2026, Abby served as Development and Communications Associate at Corlears School and Advancement Coordinator at Commonwealth School. Across these roles, she has built a broad foundation in fundraising, combining relationship-building and communications with the data, systems, and operational expertise that support effective philanthropic engagement.
Abby holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Educational Studies, from Macalester College.
Katherine M. Sarci-Tucker (Moderator)
Director of Institutional Giving, Uncommon Schools
Katherine M. Sarci-Tucker, MS, CFRE, is a dedicated and results-driven development professional with more than 12 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations achieve their fundraising goals. Currently serving as the Director of Institutional Giving at Uncommon Schools, she oversees a team responsible for generating millions in annual revenue from foundations and government grants. Her expertise includes leading fundraising campaigns, managing high-value donor portfolios, and developing effective stewardship processes. A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), she has held key roles at institutions such as the New York Hall of Science, The New School, and Columbia University, where she honed her skills in donor relations, grant compliance, and strategic communications. Katherine earned her Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in French Literature from Oberlin College.
Women In Development, New York (WID) accepts refund requests made in writing at least five (5) business days prior to the event. Registration fees are not refundable after this date. Nonrefundable ticket purchases may not be used as credits towards future WID events.
By registering for this Women In Development, New York event, I give consent for my photograph to be taken and possibly used on the organization’s intranet, internet, newsletters, board reports, and other organizational materials as needed. I understand that I am not eligible for compensation for use of my photo and I may not be informed in advance of the specific use of those images.