Lilya wagner biography channel
Home / Celebrity Biographies / Lilya wagner biography channel
Careers in Fundraising is a comprehensive volume on fundraising as a profession. Taken to its extreme, that package becomes toxic to everyone it touches, regardless of their view on its value.
That leaves us with the challenge of pursuing the data-and-research-proven benefits of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace while avoiding the constant need to fend off attacks or water down our goals.
To do so will require expressing values and benefits in ways that speak to a broader audience, while freeing organizations to strive for the success that a diverse and inclusive work environment creates.
If you can maintain an authentic sense of community, you become an organization where everyone wants to contribute -- and deeply values the contribution of others.
Isn’t that a place where you could do your best work? It remains possible to commit to building a work environment where differences are not simply celebrated, but leveraged for greater impact and stronger results.
After all, we still have reams of research-backed conclusions that organizations that embrace and promote diversity are more successful than those that don’t.
DEI never was, and never will be, a tangible thing.
Lilya Wagner was in charge of curriculum preparation and revision for The Fund Raising School (TFRS) and was a frequent speaker and workshop presenter. The best workplaces foster and grow a strong sense of community. But in spirit and intent, there’s no reason it can't flourish as a core value and standard practice within your organization.
To achieve this requires shifting away from the political to the possible.
And attract others who feel the same?
Key characteristics of healthy communities
So ask yourself: Which communities seem to operate in the most meaningful and healthy ways?
In my experience, these communities:
- Benefit from a range of people committed to the same values and goals while also bringing diverse perspectives drawn from their individual experiences, backgrounds, passions, and priorities.
- Thrive when there is an underlying and persistent sense of fairness and opportunity for all based on a shared, often unspoken, belief that the community operates at its full potential when success and advancement are encouraged and celebrated by all.
- Foster loyalty and greater retention by ensuring employees recognize the ongoing commitment to inclusivity and equity.
In addition to her extensive experience in fundraising, Lilya Wagner is a long-time faculty member of The Fund Raising School, is on the philanthropic studies faculty of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, and teaches graduate courses for the University in Minnesota. Yet you have the power and agency to write your own narrative.
A good place to start is by building a community within your organization where people from all backgrounds and walks of life feel seen, valued, and welcome.
Vincent Robinson is the founder and managing partner of the 360 Group, an executive search company that places leaders at nonprofits and foundations.
Dr.
Lilya Wagner
Lilya Wagner is director of Philanthropic Service for Institutions, an internal consulting group for a system of North American church-related organizations ranging from health care, educational, and community service providers.
From 2005-2008, Lilya Wagner was Vice President for Philanthropy at Counterpart International in Washington, D.C., an international development organization which provides a variety of services and projects in many countries.
Women’s History Month: A pioneer’s perspective
Yes, DEI, in acronym form, has become a quagmire that poses real risks. Lilya Wagner was also co-editor of New Directions in Philanthropic Fundraising and she regularly writes for an on-line newsletter published by Changing Our world, www.onphilanthropy.com.
From 1993 until 1996 Lilya Wagner worked as vice president for development at the National Association for Community Leadership but continued her affiliation with the Center on Philanthropy as a faculty member for The Fund Raising School and trainer for Leadership Works.
She holds a doctorate in education from the University of Florida in Gainesville and has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska and in music from Andrews University in Michigan. It’s a value-driven, data-affirmed belief that all of society advances when everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
The pressing question then becomes, what is the most promising path forward?
Moving beyond the acronym
The first step is to reframe our efforts through the lens of building and strengthening thriving communities within our respective workplaces.
Lilya Wagner began her fundraising career by working in health care, and has served as a volunteer and board member for human service, arts and community organizations.
Lilya Wagner holds a doctorate in education from the University of Florida in Gainesville and has two masters degrees in journalism and music.
Her undergraduate degree is from Atlantic Union College, which was in Massachusetts.
.
Her published writings include articles and book chapters on philanthropy, fundraising and the nonprofit sector, along with books and numerous articles on a variety of general interest and professional topics.
It scores well whether you live in a small town or a big city, or whether you’re young or old.
As a leader of an executive search firm navigating the current climate — while ensuring organizations have access to a blend of excellent candidates with diverse experiences, backgrounds, skills, and unique strengths — we are finding that introducing community framing offers promise.
Think about it.
Another significant publication in her field is Leading Up: Transformational Leadership for Fundraisers, published in 2005.
She was associate director for public service and director of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, oversaw curriculum preparation and revision for The Fund Raising School and has conducted training, speaking and consulting in more than 80 countries.
Lilya served as vice president for institutional advancement at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska; vice president for development at the National Association for Community Leadership; and vice president for philanthropy at Counterpart International, a global development organization.
Among her many awards is the Henry A.
Rosso Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Ethical Fund Raising by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, given to individuals who have significantly advanced the fundraising profession globally and provided exceptional leadership in a long career of distinction.
An award-winning author, editor and columnist, Lilya has written 16 books.
To do that, ask yourself:
- In what ways could future hires support the existing community while adding unique strengths and insights?
- How could those hires strengthen a sense of purpose and excite fellow community members about the potential to advance your mission further?
- And in what ways could adding to your leadership team expose everyone to new ideas and fresh thinking in ways that naturally encourage meaningful discourse and collaboration?
No doubt, the political war against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives will continue to rage.
It was the winner of the 2002 Skystone Ryan Research Prize presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Prior to joining the Center on Philanthropy, Lilya served as vice president for institutional advancement at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska and received several national awards for her fundraising and advertising programs.
It’s a mindset that is central to building welcoming and thriving cultures.