Christine has been a recognized and applauded leader at both the Fred Hutch and its sister/parent institution, the University of Washington, for the past nine years. In her STAR Award, she was recognized as "a dedicated, strategic fundraiser who is laser focused on achieving transformational gifts that advance cancer research through skillful and thoughtful partnership with donors, faculty members, and colleagues. She navigates our complex work with grace and tenacity, approaching her work with dedication but also heart. From creatively crafted holiday cards to a recipe book with personalized quotes, Christine is able to connect with donors on a human level, recognizing their individual stories and inspiring them to help others." Christine was an enthusiastic participant in UW's Advancement Leadership program and took that knowledge to pass along to her peers as leader of UW Medicine Advancement's Leadership Training Institute professional development program. She has also shown outstanding leadership initiative in the recent merger between UW Medicine and the Fred Hutch, onboarding all of her new Fred Hutch fundraising colleagues to help them build relationships with UW Medicine faculty. At UW Medicine. she developed a "faculty onboarding timeline" guidesheet that was quite helpful to other frontline fundraisers. She is the first to pipe up in meetings with thoughtful questions or helpful suggestions.
As I was leaving a PhD program that was not a good fit for me, I spoke with a mentor about alternative career paths. My requests were simple: I wanted a career that would allow me to make an impact, utilize my communication skills, and earn a livable wage. In response, my mentor suggested grant writing. My first philanthropy job was an Assistant Director Foundation Relations role at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.
I often meet donors after they have experienced one of the most challenging periods of their lives—and yet, they are focused on helping others. Through the power of philanthropy, our donors are able to transform their narrative. It is a privilege to facilitate these gifts and show the impact of their generosity. I have worked with some donors for almost a decade, and I treasure these relationships.
I attended a conference presentation by Jim Hodge and his colleagues at the University of Colorado Anschutz after about five years working in the profession. Jim is widely regarded as a philanthropy philosopher, and he focuses on cultivating joy and meaning through philanthropy. His statement that “Fundraising is a noble profession when practiced nobly” resonated with me. Since then, I revisit his online materials once or twice a year when I find myself in need of inspiration.
I am passionate about the power of storytelling. Stories possess the remarkable ability to change hearts, bridge divides, and inspire extraordinary generosity. Whether it is through my work, volunteering efforts, or parenting, I find immense joy in using stories to help people perceive the world from new and diverse perspectives.
Spend a few minutes each week to show authentic appreciation to your colleagues at all levels of your organization. Sometimes we take the excellence of our colleagues for granted, but everyone likes to be acknowledged for work well done.
My first job was working at the counter of my dad’s Chinese restaurant when I was seven years old.