A child therapist by training, Wendy found herself helping to raise funds early in her professional life. Since then, she's been a fundraiser for nearly every place she’s ever worked. This unexpected lifepath solidified at UC Berkeley, where Wendy spent 20 years in university advancement (academia’s word for fundraising), with 6 of those years at UC Botanical Garden. Her time in Berkeley also sent her on a career track with an emphasis on gardens and the outdoors. From California, she headed to the upcountry regions of Hawaii's Big Island, and eventually on to Oregon, and Portland. She and her husband, Raymond, have lived up the street from Hoyt Arboretum for the last 24 years.
As a Portlander, Wendy has fundraised millions of dollars for a wide variety of well-known organizations. Among these are senior management positions with 1000 Friends of Oregon, the World Forestry Center, Portland Japanese Garden, and Lan Su Chinese Garden. If you're a longtime supporter of our work, Wendy's name may sound familiar. Among her many accomplishments, Wendy ran PPF's 10th Anniversary celebration at Director Park in 2011.
With over 45 years of nonprofit development experience, Wendy has a comprehensive expertise in all areas of fundraising and philanthropy. In addition to sharing her wealth of knowledge with PPF, Wendy is committed to supporting and mentoring younger generations of development professionals throughout Portland, running a monthly Development Roundtable for 20 years. Wendy also serves as a consultant and board member to many Portland nonprofits. Last but certainly not least, Wendy has continued to practice her original calling as a part-time therapist throughout her career as a fundraiser.
Away from work, Wendy spends a great deal of time trying to keep up with two growing granddaughters who were raised in Forest Park and love climbing trees. As you might have guessed from her photo, Wendy is really an "ocean girl.” When you can’t find her enjoying Portland’s forests, gardens, and parks, it’s probably because she’s escaped to Manzanita, her favorite place in Oregon.
As our Major Gifts Officer, Wendy works closely with our staff and board to secure the contributions needed to support our mission and grow our impact. Wendy's primary focus will be with individuals and businesses wishing to donate $1000 or more each year. To connect with Wendy, email her at wmitchell@portlandpf.org. If you are a current donor, you can also meet Wendy in person at our Donor Appreciation Event on October 26th. Email Wendy for more information, and stay tuned in November when we’ll be introducing Kate, too!
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