Area of Focus#
Elizabeth O’Connell is the Development Director at Western Resource Advocates (WRA), where she leads the organization’s efforts to expand philanthropic giving, ensuring diverse and sustainable revenue streams support WRA’s mission to fight climate change. In this role she develops strategies to enhance donor prospecting, engagement, retention, and growth. O’Connell works closely with senior leadership to align fundraising strategies with WRA’s organizational goals, contributing to the development of key messaging and donor communications that help drive action and support for climate solutions.
Background#
Elizabeth joined WRA in 2018, first supporting the Development team in a donor relations role. She focused on growing the organization’s Annual Fund program, supporting direct mail outreach, improving the donor database, and building a more robust donor experience. While reinvigorating the Annual Fund program, she improved communication with donors by sending prompt acknowledgement of gifts and multiple appeals throughout the year, launching thank you videos, and pursuing creative giving opportunities like Colorado Gives Day. Her efforts significantly increased revenue from individual donors, growing the Annual Fund program by 60% between 2018 to 2021.
Prior to joining WRA, she spent five years as the publisher of Elevation Outdoors Magazine, an adventure lifestyle publication, giving her deep experience in sales and business management and exposing her to various Western conservation issues. It was this experience that led her to want to put her relationship building, event planning, and fundraising skills to use for an organization that was making an impact. Through roles with Habitat for Humanity and AmeriCorps, she has focused her career on helping others.
Education#
- Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Mary Washington
- Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
- Mid-Level Fundraising Certification from the Veritas Group
Favorite thing about the West#
The variety of landscapes has to be one of my favorite parts of living and playing in the West. We have so much here to offer all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts and I feel incredibly lucky to live in Colorado. I love getting outside with my husband, our two daughters, and our dog Winston, camping, fly fishing, skiing and mountain biking.
