Welcome New AFP Greater Madison Chapter Board Leaders

As the calendars turned to 2024, a new group of dedicated leaders joined the AFP Greater Madison Chapter Board of Directors, guided by a new Chapter President! The team will lend their expertise, experience, and energy to the chapter’s mission of advancing ethical and effective philanthropy through education, professional development, networking, and outreach.

Mike Sweitzer-Beckman, Chapter President
Mike Sweitzer-Beckman is the Director of Development for the College of Letters and Science at the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association. Mike started the role in June 2023 and loves to be on the campus that provided many opportunities for him and his family – Mike, his spouse, mom, stepmom, and cousin are all UW–Madison alumni!

As President of the AFP Greater Madison Chapter, Mike looks forward to leading the organization this year. AFP has provided him with so many opportunities throughout the years. Mike first joined the Board of Directors in 2008 as the Government Relations Chair and has also served on the Diversity and Scholarship Committees. This year, he is excited to represent the chapter in conversations with other Wisconsin chapters, as well as on the national and international level. Most of all, he hopes to connect members with meaningful resources and volunteer opportunities.

When asked what keeps Mike energized in his day-to-day job, as well as in the role of AFP Greater Madison Chapter President, his answer is simple – the people. “It’s exciting to see someone jump in with a lot of energy, experience from other professions, and lived experiences that are invaluable to advancing causes and organizations,” said Mike. “I believe that there is no one type of fundraiser, and anyone who wants to be a fundraiser can find a place in the profession. That’s where AFP is so critical to providing resources and support to people.”

Pete Schweiger, Mentorship Program Chair
Pete Schweiger is beginning his second stint on the AFP Greater Madison Chapter Board. Previously, Pete was the Young Professionals Committee Co-Chair from 2017–2019, but this time will be serving as the Mentorship Program Chair. His decision for rejoining the board was due to his desire to continue growing the Mentorship Program (19 pairs in 2023!), which he helped launch in 2020.

“I’m excited to reconnect with old friends and support the continued growth of the program I helped launch,” said Pete. The Mentorship Program is focused on providing support, resources, and connections for folks who are new to the fundraising career. If you are interested in getting involved with the mentorship program in any way – as a mentee seeking guidance, a mentor sharing your experience, or as a committee member helping make this program happen – reach out to Pete.

In his professional life, Pete is the Philanthropic Giving Manager for the Morgridge Institute for Research – having celebrated his one-year anniversary in January. He is focused on building stronger relationships with the organization’s donors and stays energized by seeing the labs, talking with the researchers and educators, and learning more about the work being done at the Morgridge Institute and the potential impacts this work will have down the road.

Aleeh Schwoerer, Young Professionals Chair
Aleeh Schwoerer is the new Young Professionals Chair for the AFP Greater Madison Chapter, and she is excited for the opportunity to learn and grow in the role! After finishing her masters in June 2022, she remembered the advice from a professor to join local organizations to support career development. A few months later, an AFP e-newsletter promoted joining committees and Aleeh decided to meet with Creal Zearing about the Professional Development Committee. She decided to join the committee and said, “Creal and the committee made the experience enriching and AFP events quickly connected me with other fundraisers and nonprofit professionals!” Aleeh still participates on the Professional Development Committee – joining the board is just another step toward making deeper connections in the field and supporting an organization which gave her the confidence to pursue fundraising as a career.

Beyond AFP, Aleeh is the Development Manager for Arts Midwest, a U.S. Regional Arts Organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Art Midwest services a nine-state region that includes Wisconsin. Her position is focused on grant writing and reporting for government, corporate, and foundation funding. She started with the organization in August 2023 and previously was the Manager of Grants and Sponsorships at the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

Arts Midwest is developing new programs and ways to support, inform, and celebrate Midwestern creativity. Aleeh is looking forward to translating these ideas into applications for funding and prospecting potential funders. New programs are exciting opportunities to grow and learn, and the team at Arts Midwest brings so much energy into the creation of these opportunities!

Dani Luckett, Board Member-At-Large
As the Chief Development Officer for the Goodman Community Center for the past three years, Dani Luckett has the opportunity to be inspired daily by her incredible colleagues and their commitment to the community. In Dani’s newest role, as a Board Member-At-Large for the AFP Greater Madison Chapter, she is excited to continue collaborating with great people.

“I’m looking forward to collaborating with AFP members to learn more about how we can educate ourselves and area philanthropists to better understand and appreciate the importance of community-centric fundraising, trust-based philanthropy, and paying nonprofit workers a living wage,” said Dani.

Dani was invited to the Board by Past President Anna January and IDEA Officer Mary Sailsbury. As part of the Board of Directors, Dani will help Mary as an IDEA Officer and work to ensure inclusion, diversity, equity, and access for all AFP members. As one of her core tenets to fundraising, Dani challenges all fundraisers and nonprofit leaders to embrace an abundance mindset. “With an abundance mindset, we can make important changes much faster, and the potential of our collective impact has no limits!”

Courtney Spilker, Board Member-At-Large
Courtney Spilker joined the AFP Greater Madison Chapter Board as a Board Member-At-Large in 2024. She decided to join the Board because of Madison’s thriving non-profit community and the desire to give back and connect with like-minded individuals. In addition to her role on the Board, Courtney also participates on the Professional Development Committee, helping to provide robust and impactful offerings.

Courtney’s day-to-day job is as Director of Development in the College of Engineering for the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association. She has been in the role for a year and is also relatively new to Madison. The College of Engineering at UW–Madison is undergoing a building campaign and Courtney is excited about the project. “Capital projects ignite a lot of energy and are always fun for me to fundraise for,” said Courtney.

Courtney is looking forward to meeting members of the AFP Greater Madison community and is always open to connecting over a cup of coffee!

Caitlin Ryan, Board Member-At-Large
Caitlin Ryan is the Director of Donor Engagement at Madison Community Foundation and has been with the organization for three years. In her role, Caitlin helps connect donors to meaningful opportunities to make a difference in our community. Joining the AFP Greater Madison Chapter Board of Directors felt like a great way for her to expand her knowledge about local nonprofits. Caitlin is also a part of the Professional Development Committee for the Chapter.

For Caitlin, her favorite part of the year is getting ready for the Madison Community Foundation’s annual event, Madison Gives. The foundation’s fundholders, legacy society members, and local nonprofits get together at the event each spring and celebrate the impact of philanthropy in our community.

“People that see giving as a form of self-expression motivates me every day,” said Caitlin. “The most meaningful part of my job is having the opportunity to witness people showing who they are and what they value through their giving.”

The AFP Greater Madison Chapter is excited to welcome our new Chapter President and Board of Directors! You can learn more about the entire Board of Directors by visiting the Leadership page on the AFP Greater Madison Chapter website.