Valerie Cavanagh, our new Development Director, joined the WayForward Resources team in mid-May. Valerie was introduced to the field of fundraising while serving as an AmeriCorp VISTA member at The ARC of Lane County in Eugene, Oregon. After witnessing how important funding sources are to nonprofits, she has dedicated her fundraising career to connecting donor interests to impactful funding opportunities. Valerie is a seasoned fundraiser with 14 years of experience, including the American Red Cross and The University of Texas at Arlington. Her expertise spans from annual giving, prospect development, donor stewardship to major gifts. Valerie holds a BA in cultural anthropology from Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota. Being new to Madison, you may see Valerie exploring the beautiful local landscape with her husband, cheering on her kids in their activities, or attending music offerings while creating choreography to the music in her head. She is also the mother hen of two red moyen poodles and the cutest pair of cats.