Ashley Sodergren Email & Phone Number

Western Territory

As the Managing Director of Development for the Great West Territory, I lead all fundraising efforts across the region, overseeing peer-to-peer fundraising, distinguished events, individual giving, and corporate engagement. My core responsibilities include:• Developing and implementing strategic fundraising plans in partnership with Territory and national leadership to meet and exceed revenue goals.• Leading a team to execute key programs like Walk to Defeat ALS®, Team Challenge ALS®, and distinguished events, ensuring best practices are followed and financial targets are achieved.• Cultivating and maintaining relationships with major donors, corporate sponsors, and volunteers to expand engagement and grow the fundraising footprint.• Providing mentorship, training, and guidance to staff across the territory to optimize their performance and enhance event management capabilities.• Collaborating with cross-functional teams in major gifts, corporate partnerships, and planned giving to support fundraising growth and program innovation.• Utilizing data analysis and metrics to drive decision-making and assess the effectiveness of fundraising programs.• Staying current on industry trends to keep ALS Association fundraising programs competitive and impactful.

North America

Greater Bakersfield Area

As the Director of Development at Make-A-Wish Central Coast and Southern Central Valley, I led successful initiatives to achieve revenue goals, demonstrating proficiency in donor identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. In this role, I conducted a minimum of 10 face-to-face prospect/donor meetings monthly, strategically managing a portfolio of 75-125 prospects and donors. Collaborating with the CEO, I played a pivotal role in supporting individual and corporate giving initiatives, developing compelling proposals, and setting revenue goals. I actively participated in the Chapter's Moves Management program, serving as the revenue team leader in portfolio management and fundraising best practices. Additionally, I created and executed an annual fundraising plan in alignment with organizational objectives.My responsibilities extended to coordinating and delivering impactful communications, acknowledgments, annual impact reports, and solicitations to chapter donors and supporters. I played a key role in event fundraising goals, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding event committee members, corporate sponsors, and individual supporters. As part of my leadership role, I oversaw the chapter's event strategy and supervised the events manager.Managing board development and special events committees, I ensured effective tracking and reporting of progress to goals. Utilizing Salesforce, I tracked prospect/donor moves and provided timely and effective reporting to the management team and board. I actively represented the Chapter at fundraising events, networking activities, and within the community at large. In addition to my strategic responsibilities, I implemented thoughtful stewardship efforts to thank and recognize donors. My tenure as Director of Development showcases my ability to drive successful fundraising initiatives, collaborate effectively with stakeholders, and contribute to the overall mission of Make-A-Wish.

Greater Bakersfield Area

As the Regional Director at Make-A-Wish® Northeastern & Central California and Northern Nevada, I played a pivotal role in reestablishing the Make-A-Wish brand in the South Valley territory. Through strategic awareness campaigns and community development practices, I successfully revitalized the organization's presence in the region.One of my notable achievements during this tenure was the establishment of the first-ever Regional Council for the South Valley Region. In leading the organization's revenue strategy for the Kern, Kings, Inyo, and Tulare counties, I consistently supported wish-granting efforts, securing an average of $10,000 per wish.In this multifaceted role, I identified community fundraising event opportunities through both internal and external events, leveraging my expertise in qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners. Serving as the primary external face of the organization in the region, I successfully grew our revenue base and increased awareness of local operations.Additionally, I supported the recruitment, development, and management of a regional council of volunteer leaders dedicated to the organization's growth. Emphasizing a team approach, I built long-term relationships with current and prospective donors, deepening their commitment to Make-A-Wish and enhancing their understanding of our Chapter's vision and priorities.This position demanded strong fund development experience, focusing on the cultivation of major gift individuals and corporate partnerships. I consistently represented Make-A-Wish in meetings and other public forums, showcasing my ability to effectively communicate the organization's mission and goals.My tenure as Regional Director reflects my strategic leadership, community engagement, and fundraising expertise, all contributing to the continued success and impact of Make-A-Wish in Kern, Kings, Tulare and Inyo counties.

Los Angeles County, California, United States

As the Senior Director at Alzheimer's Association California Southland, I led the successful implementation of thirteen Walk to End Alzheimer’s® events throughout the California Southland Chapter, surpassing goals through strategic volunteer recruitment, engagement, and corporate development initiatives. Managing the fastest-growing walk program in the country, I elevated Walk to End Alzheimer’s to the second-largest peer-to-peer fundraising event in the United States.In this role, I supervised and managed Walk to End Alzheimer’s staff, overseeing onboarding, training, and development processes. A key aspect of my responsibilities was recruiting and ensuring high-level leadership volunteers were in place for Walks, providing training, coaching, and development to ensure goal attainment. I actively worked on expanding the chapter's network of high-level contacts and forming new corporate alliances and partnerships to further the organization's reach and impact.As a revenue-focused leader, I took charge of corporate sponsorship revenue for the Chapter’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s program. I executed the Chapter's plan for maximizing team participation, achieving revenue goals by retaining existing teams and attracting new ones from all sectors of the community. My role also involved providing fundraising guidance and support to teams.Ensuring Chapter compliance with Alzheimer’s Association policies, standards, and regulatory requirements was a critical aspect of my responsibilities. I actively participated in learning opportunities for professional growth and self-improvement, contributing to the ongoing success of Alzheimer's Association California Southland.My tenure as Senior Director reflects my ability to drive successful event strategies, manage teams effectively, and cultivate valuable partnerships, all contributing to the overall mission of Alzheimer's Association California Southland.

Greater Bakersfield Area

As the Regional Director at the Alzheimer's Association, I played a pivotal role in developing and implementing objectives and goals to ensure the effective delivery of regional programs and services. This encompassed a wide range of activities, including mass market and special events, revenue generation, communications, marketing, advocacy, public policy, and community mobilization. A key responsibility was overseeing the planning and implementation of key fundraising events, including the Walk to End Alzheimer's, The Longest Day, RivALZ, and other chapter events. I provided volunteer leadership, identifying, recruiting, and cultivating volunteers to participate and lead support groups, educational programs, and signature events.In addition, I demonstrated sound fiscal management for the Kern/Tulare County office, monitoring income and expense budgets, providing monthly financial reports, and evaluating income performance. Collaborating with key staff, I identified, cultivated, and stewarded current and prospective major gifts donors, contributing to the development of an annual fundraising plan.Providing leadership, supervision, and mentoring to Chapter staff and volunteers, I fostered an environment of transparency, inclusion, and teamwork. I successfully developed and maintained a local Advisory Board to support the Alzheimer's Association's mission in Kern/Tulare Counties.My role as Regional Director showcased my strategic leadership, effective fiscal management, and commitment to fostering collaboration and support for the Alzheimer's Association's mission in Kern, Kings, Inyo and Tulare counties.

Bakersfield, California Area

As the Community Development Director at the American Cancer Society, I led the execution against the region strategy for Relay For Life, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC) events, and other community-based fundraising activities for a defined market-based geography. Accountable for significant income targets and event-related mission and advocacy activities, I managed profits and loss for assigned community development revenue activities, ensuring ROI targets were achieved. In addition, I effectively led a team of Senior Managers and Community Development Managers, ensuring the engagement and mobilization of diverse constituents, staff, and volunteers in a prioritized and coordinated manner to meet established market and regional objectives.

Or-Ca Border To Bakersfield

As the Senior Director at the American Cancer Society, I led the execution against the Division strategy for Relay For Life for a defined geographic territory. Accountable for multi-million dollar income targets and event-related mission and advocacy activities, I ensured goal achievement through effective leadership and management of diverse staff, and the engagement, empowerment, and mobilization of leadership volunteers. My responsibilities also included managing, coaching, training, and developing a large team of Relay For Life front-line community managers, directing the execution of multiple Relay For Life events for an assigned geography. I provided necessary training, coaching, and support with a focus on community organization and relationship building, identified and executed strategies to implement best practices for the growth of event revenue, and directed volunteer engagement efforts.

Sacramento, Ca

In my role as Senior Manager, I provided staff leadership, coaching, mentoring, support, and training for a team of Relay For Life event execution staff in an assigned area. Accountable for significant income targets and event-related mission and advocacy activities, I ensured goal achievement through effective leadership and management of diverse staff, and the engagement, empowerment, and mobilization of event volunteers. Additionally, I supervised six Fundraising Specialists to implement 25 philanthropy projects goaled at over $1 million dollars annually. I successfully developed and implemented budgets for all 25 philanthropy projects, managed a $1 million dollar budget annually, stewarded relationships with key constituents and sponsors, and conducted quarterly trainings for more than 50 volunteers and staff.

Sacramento & Stockton, Ca

As a Community Manager, I executed a portfolio of Relay For Life events, with accountability for significant income targets and event-related mission and advocacy activities. Ensuring goal achievement through effective leadership, engagement, empowerment, and mobilization of event volunteers, I managed both urban and rural philanthropy events. My achievements included surpassing an income goal of over $400,000 and successfully recruiting and soliciting sponsorship for five philanthropy events.

Bakersfield, Ca

As the Marketing Manager at California State University Bakersfield, I played a key role in cultivating and maintaining community interest in all programs. My responsibilities included increasing corporate sponsorship revenue through lead generation, preparing sales materials, setting appointments, attending sales presentations, conducting cold calls, and follow-up.I developed individual strategy marketing plans, aligning them with organizational goals and objectives. Additionally, I provided marketing and sales support for all philanthropy events, contributing to the success of fundraising initiatives.In support of the fund drive, I actively created interest in giving to the alumni fund and the student-athlete scholarship fund, furthering the university's philanthropic efforts. My tenure as Marketing Manager showcased my strategic marketing expertise, sales acumen, and commitment to advancing the university's community engagement and fundraising goals.

Bachelor Of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Marketing

Activities and Societies: Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Student Athlete - Volleyball, Campus Recreation

Education record

Activities and Societies: Student Athlete-Volleyball & Basketball, Future Farmers of America, Science Club, Com Tech Academy