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Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are gaining popularity as a giving strategy in the United States, with rapid growth in both users and assets. However, many fundraisers lack clarity on how exactly they work and their benefits.

Go deeper into DAFs with AFP's Donor-Advised Fund Essentials Workshop! This program is offered at a discount thanks to the support of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy.

More information on the class can be found here.

Curriculum is 4 hours.
Registration: 7:30 AM
Program: 8:00-11:00 AM
Lunch Break: 11:00-11:30 AM
Program Resumes: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

Free parking.

This program is made possible thanks to generous funding of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy.

About Dr. Sandra Ehrlich, CFRE

A preeminent leader in the philanthropic sector, Dr. Sandra G. Ehrlich is a management, leadership, and fund development consultant with more than 35 years of increasing responsibility in the private and public sector. As President of Sandra Ehrlich Consulting, LLC, she assesses, guides, and moves national corporate and nonprofit clients to a higher level of achievement and performance. Working alongside her clients, she has raised more than $100 million for worthy causes. Sandra is a Past President of the AFP Alaska Chapter. For her vital contributions and exemplary leadership, she received the coveted Outstanding Professional in Philanthropy award from the AFP Alaska Chapter. An AFP Certified Facilitator and dedicated nonprofit advocate, Sandra is a catalyst for excellence. As Alaska's CFRE International Ambassador, she advises, supports, and mentors fundraising professionals across Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

About Mike Buckley, CFRE

Prior to founding The Killoe Group, a fundraising consulting firm based in New York, Mike Buckley, CFRE spent nearly two decades in various leadership fundraising roles in both higher education and animal welfare. He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), having met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, and demonstrated fundraising achievement for not-for-profit organizations. Mike is also a Certified Facilitator through the AFP Faculty Training Academy.

Mike has been an invited speaker at several regional and national conferences including the International Conference on Non-Profits (AFP ICON), the Association for the Advancement of Animal Welfare Advancement, the Northeast Annual Giving Conference, Mid-South Philanthropy Conference, and Fundraising Day in New York. In his keynote presentations and workshops, Mike makes content relevant and applicable through recommendations based on data and experience, relatable anecdotes, and an engaging sense of humor.

Whether you're beginning your fundraising career or looking to take the next step, there's no single path to success. Join AFP Dallas and Fort Worth Emerging Leaders (35 and younger, or less than five years of experience) for an engaging networking and panel discussion featuring both emerging and seasoned fundraising professionals representing a variety of fundraising disciplines.

Through an interactive conversation moderated by Ben Thomas, panelists will share honest insights into launching and growing a successful fundraising career. Learn what hiring managers look for, how to stand out during the interview process, mistakes to avoid early in your career, and the lessons our panelists wish they had known when they were just getting started.

You'll leave with practical advice, fresh perspectives, and actionable strategies to help you confidently navigate your own career journey — regardless of where you are today.

Topics include:

• Resume and interviewing best practices
• Breaking into the fundraising profession
• Different career paths within fundraising
• Skills that matter most early in your career
• Common challenges facing emerging professionals
• Advice worth following — and advice to ignore
• Building relationships and finding mentors
• Preparing for long-term career growth

Bring your questions! The final portion of the session will be dedicated to audience Q&A.

Event will have breakfast items such as donuts, bagels, pastries, fruit, and coffee.

Ashley L. Brown, CNP

Grants Coordinator
The Salvation Army of North Texas

Ms. Brown is an Oklahoma City native who recently relocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and serves as the Grants Coordinator for The Salvation Army of North Texas. After a successful career in the corporate sector, she made a purposeful transition into nonprofit grant development, combining her professional experience with her passion for serving others. She holds a bachelor's degree in Family Studies and Gerontology and is a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP), reflecting her commitment to lifelong learning and community impact.

As a young professional who successfully navigated a major career transition, she brings practical insight into strategic job searching, translating transferable skills, and aligning career opportunities with personal purpose. She is passionate about encouraging others to embrace change, invest in their growth, and pursue careers that make a meaningful difference.

Interesting Fact: I have recently become a patio gardener.

Connect with Ashley!

Michael J Schwerin, CFRE

County Director of Community Relations & Fundraising
The Salvation Army of North Texas

Michael Schwerin is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and nonprofit executive with 20 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, and organizational management nationwide — with the past 14 years serving nonprofits in North Texas. Throughout his career, Michael has excelled at leading organizations of all sizes through both rebuilding and exponential growth. He has a track record of fostering deep partnerships within each community he's served, bringing together funders, community leaders, businesses, and other nonprofit organizations to create impactful community programs. His areas of expertise include raising funds, recruiting and managing volunteers, and financial management. Michael currently serves as the County Director of Community Relations & Fundraising for Denton & Collin Counties for The Salvation Army of North Texas. Michael lives in Wylie with his wife of 20 years and their 17-year-old daughter. In addition to his professional work, Michael has served on several local boards and committees within the community and provided pro-bono fundraising consultations for several local nonprofits. After serving as the volunteer co-chair and chair for the DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference, he current serves as the President-Elect for the Greater Dallas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Interesting Fact: I have a BA in Mathematics and Trumpet Performance and a Master of Music in Music Theory.

Connect with Michael!

• LinkedIn
• Phone: (214) 637-8115
• Mobile: (970) 361-5832

Evan White

Director of Advancement Operations
Austin Street Center

Evan White serves as Director of Advancement Operations at Austin Street Center, one of Dallas' leading organizations addressing homelessness. In this role, he leads advancement operations, donor systems, and strategic initiatives that strengthen fundraising efforts and support life-changing services for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Since beginning his fundraising career in 2016, Evan has built expertise in fundraising capacity, nonprofit technology, and advancement operations. He also serves as Expert in Nonprofit Systems, Data & Development Operations with The Nonprofit Group, where he partners with nonprofit organizations to strengthen development infrastructure through CRM transitions, data strategy, operational assessments, and sustainable fundraising systems.

Evan also serves as President of the AFP Dallas Chapter, where he is passionate about investing in the next generation of fundraising professionals while championing ethical fundraising and collaboration across North Texas.

Passionate about strengthening the nonprofit sector, Evan is committed to helping organizations build the capacity, systems, and strategies needed to maximize their mission and create lasting community impact.

Connect with Evan!

• LinkedIn

Justin Rourk

Director of Philanthropy
Vogel

Justin serves as Director of Philanthropy at Vogel, a Dallas-based nonprofit providing early childhood education and a pathway to stability for families experiencing poverty and homelessness. In his role, he leads major gift fundraising efforts and serves as a member of Vogel's Leadership Team. Prior to joining Vogel, Justin held development roles at The Nature Conservancy, SMU, Vanderbilt University, and Furman University. Over more than a decade in philanthropy, he has developed expertise across annual giving, events, leadership giving, major gifts, and principal gifts. He has contributed to multiple multi-billion-dollar comprehensive campaigns and designed and led his alma mater's inaugural Giving Day, which raised more than $1 million.

Originally from the Atlanta area, Justin earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Furman University and has proudly called Dallas home since 2019. He is a member of the AFP Greater Dallas Chapter, an Auxiliary Board member of the AT&T Performing Arts Center, a Junior Associates member of the Dallas Museum of Art, and president of the Furman University Alumni Chapter in Dallas. Justin enjoys travel, the arts, scary movies, crisp fall weather, corgis, and sharing good food and wine with friends and family.

Interesting Fact: I once accidentally skied down a black diamond run, and it was every bit as terrifying as it sounds.

Connect with Justin!

• LinkedIn