Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award

Each year, AFP honors individuals who, through their hard work and dedication, have enhanced philanthropy in their communities and the world. The Outstanding Fundraising Professional award spotlights those fundraisers who have done just this.

2024 Winner

Derek Wilson

Senior Director of Development & Communications at Special Kids Special Families

At Special Kids Special Families, Derek focuses on enhancement of mission resources through relationship building, marketing, and team member development. His experience is comprehensive, involving significant fundraising success and high-level interaction with donors, colleagues, and the community. Derek is also a family man who successfully balances his work, spiritual, volunteer, and personal life. He is a tireless worker who serves as a senior leader at Special Kids Special Families with innovative strategies, professional character, and vision – and demonstrates characteristics that model top qualities of leadership.

Prior to SKSF, Derek was the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) for Silver Key Senior Services, Donor Relations Director for the Southern Colorado Region of The Salvation Army, and Director of Extended Studies at the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Sciences at UCCS. Derek holds a BS in Political Science and a Masters in Educational Leadership, both from Northern Arizona University. He is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Pikes Peak (LPP), a civic leadership program for the Pikes Peak region. He has also served on several local boards (YMCA, Tri-Lakes Cares) and was a nominee for the LPP Leading the Way award (2022), and a nominee for the Senior Resource Council Joe Henjum Business Professional of the Year (2022).

2023	Kate Faricy Maiurro	Executive Director, Memorial Hospital Foundation
2022	Thomas Dewar	Executive Director of Development, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
2021	Lance James	Chief Development Officer, Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) & Executive Director, PPLD Foundation
2020	Andy Petersen	Development Director, The Place
2019	Crista Muchmore	Corporate Relations & Communications Officer, UCHealth Memorial Hospital Foundation
2018	Martin Wood	Senior Vice Chancellor for University Advancement & Development, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
2017	Joan Selman	Executive Director, Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation
2016	Sheila Ferguson, CFRE	Director of Development, The Resource Exchange
2015	Ron Rubin	Development Director for Major Gifts, The Memorial Hospital Foundation
2014	Gina Taranto, CFRE	Director of Development, Space Foundation
2013	Josh Bailey, CFRE	President, Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation
2012	Janet Fieldman, CFRE	Chief Foundation Officer, Pueblo Community Health Center Foundation
2011	James K. Brozo, CFRE, CSPG	Vice President - Gift Planning, Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation
2010	Brinah L. Vincent, CFRE	Primary Counsel, Effective Fundraising Management
2009	Diane LeBlanc, CFRE	Former President & CDO, Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation
2008	Thomas (Jay) Lowden	Vice President & Chief Development Officer, YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region
2006	Jeanne Conder	Vice President, Goodwill Industries Foundation
2005	Stephen Elder	Former Vice President for Advancement, Colorado College
2004	Kimberley Sherwood
2003	Jay Maloney	Chief Development Officer, Colorado College