Getting to Know Your Chapter Members

GETTING TO KNOW Mary Pat Beals

Title/Organization: Chief Development Officer, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast

How long have you been in fundraising?  A very long time.  I started when in Kindergarten at St Joseph’s Grade school in Shawnee Kansas.  I raised money to help the poor.  The Benedictine Sisters encouraged us to do our part.

Have you ever worked in another field (ie marketing, sales, finance, etc)?  No, always in nonprofit.  I did run the cash register and manage the order window at my father’s chicken restaurant between the ages of 13 and 18.

What superhero skill/trait would you pick? I think I would like to fly as fast as a speeding bullet in order to be on time more often!

What’s the best vacation you've ever taken?

It has to be one I took two weeks ago to Green Bay Wi with two grandchildren.  We did the Packers training camp and had so much fun.  I think I have to weight this one above the vacation to Italy and seeing the Pope Francis! That is second place.

What are you most passionate about? Raising money for girls.

When did you join AFP? When it was still called National Society of Fund Raising Executives.

What in your opinion is the biggest benefit to being an AFP member?  Learning best practices!

What book are you currently reading? Tom Aherns, Raising More Money with Newsletters.  Seriously!

What is something that may surprise people to know about you? I get up at 5AM and watch the sunrise with my dog Jack Cannoli.

Other interesting tidbits: Hmm, I love to ride bikes.  I love MKE and the many awesome neighborhoods.