Staff Spotlight: Passing the Fundraising Baton

Pat Bogenschuetz and Samantha Sanchez have been fundraising together at CORE El Centro for about 3 years.  If you've been in the building, you may have heard the laughter coming from their office... As Pat retires at the end of this year, and Samantha steps into the role of Director of Development, how are they viewing this transition?

Q&A with Pat and Samantha - the fundraising duo.

OK, Pat, let’s get to the question everybody wants to know:

What’s the first thing you’re going to do on day 1 of retirement:

Sleep in and take a long walk.

Now that that’s settled, tell us what you enjoyed most about working at CORE all these years?

Pat: I’ve always loved meeting and talking with donors. Working here, I’ve watched peoples’ lives get better every day. By matching donors with our clients’ needs, I’m able to make things happen at CORE. The generosity of donors never ceases to amaze me. Plus, the staff is incredible - they are all talented and passionate about their work. I love working in this healing environment.

You’ve worked at CORE for 4 years, 3 of those have been working with Pat as Communications and Fund Development Manager.  What attracted you to working in fundraising?

Samantha: When I finished my degree at Alverno College in Professional Communication, I knew I wanted to work with people, particularly in fundraising. Working in fundraising allows me to problem solve, conduct research, brainstorm, and find solutions. I’ve met amazing people here. The donors, clients and volunteers inspire me and warm my heart. 

Pat, how did you know Samantha was right for the job? 

Pat: Samantha is detail-oriented and accurate. She respects others and is good with relationship building. I admire her integrity and I really appreciate her creativity. There is no challenge she can’t solve. When the pandemic hit, we shifted gears and went to all virtual programming and virtual fundraisers. I could never have survived without Samantha’s technical skills and willingness to take on all the new challenges that the pandemic presented. 

What do you like about working at CORE?

Samantha (tearing up): I love that there are strong women -  Latinas -  who inspire me. I look up to everybody who works here. We are building community at CORE with staff, clients and volunteers. This past year we’ve created such a strong community of staff. That’s so important during this time of isolation.

What’s the number 1 thing you’ve learned from Pat?

Samantha: Pat has taught me how to be less afraid to ask for money and find inspiration from our donors. I have more faith in the world, and in the generosity of people. Pat has always said that she has the best job and she’s taught me to find joy in my job.

What are you most proud of?

Pat: CORE’s fundraisers. We held our first golf outing in 2006 and it was basically Madeline Gianforte’s family. Now we’ve hosted 15 golf outings and this year’s was virtual. Our first Momentum was in 2007 with 90 people attending.  (In recent years, more than 500 people attended Momentum, raising $80,000.) Ten years ago we launched Groovathon, an annual fall fundraiser that morphed into a Run/Walk the last two years.

Madeline (CORE’s Executive Director) mentioned that she always hears laughter coming out of the office that you two share. What’s that about?

Samantha: Even when we’re stressed out planning fundraisers, we laugh together, tell stories. Pat finds joy and laughter in everything. I will miss throwing my head back and laughing out loud with my office mate.

How will CORE’s fundraising change in the next few years?

Samantha: I’d like to see us attract new, younger donors and get more younger people involved with the organization. 

 Pat: We are working to increase the number of natural health practitioners who are people of color. By creating scholarships, we can help people of color access training to become practitioners at CORE. What I hope won’t change is donor involvement.  I know donors will continue to partner with Samantha and support CORE’s mission.

In Gratitude

Thank you Pat for 16 years of laughter, kindness, respect and trust in others. You’ve touched so many of us with your positive attitude, warmth and great smile. We’re grateful for everything you’ve done to further the healing mission of CORE. 

We know CORE is in good hands with Samantha Sanchez and welcome her as she transitions into her new role.

Sincerely, Terry J. Dorr, CORE volunteer