Big Bold Fundraising ~ Big Bold Life

SHARING, IN CONVERSATION, IDEAS THAT INFORM AND TRANSFORM!

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Tuesday, September 8, 2026

'Integrity Before Investment: Six Essential Values for Fundraising Success'

Presented by Karen Zelden

Hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals SWFL

Location: Carlisle Inn & Conference Center, Sarasota

Registration opens this summer: community.afpnet.org

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"Karen is a true professional, and a joy to work with!'

-John Rigsbee, former healthcare nonprofit board member who worked with Karen for five years on a multi-million fundraising campaign

• Staying curious - and open to new ideas and approaches - fuel my personal and professional growth. Fresh perspectives that challenge, inspire, or just make me think. Something that I can share with others. Something that will help me continue to improve my facilitation and speaking skills. Something that challenges my comfort zone.
• A priority for me right now: learning more about how AI can benefit nonprofits - and our fundraising and marketing efforts.
• Two important personal values: community service and paying it forward.
• I proudly serve on the Charitable Gift Planners of Southwest Florida board and executive committee (secretary). Other affiliations include the National Charitable Gift Planners; and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (national and local chapters).

NEW BOOK ALERT ~ COMING FALL 2026!

I'm excited to share the upcoming release of my book, Because I Choose: Three Little Words. One Big, Bold Life Impact, coming Fall 2026!

Personal. Raw. Positive. Honest. Because I Choose shares my experiences and lessons learned over three+ decades to take responsibility and become the architect of an authentic, exceptional, and fulfilling BIG BOLD Life.

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"I enthusiastically provide this reference for my colleague, Karen Zelden. An accomplished writer, Karen authored the published biography, Doggett Determination: Believing in Yourself to Create Success in Life and Business. Karen impressed me with her exceptional writing and editing abilities; competence; attention to detail; and professionalism. She put her business and leadership experience to good use and displayed skill in making understandable [the book's] complex business transactions - no easy feat! I enthusiastically recommend Karen to anyone in need of an exceptional writer, and look forward to working with her again in the future."

- Larry C. Farrell, Founder & Chairman, The Farrell Company; recognized expert worldwide on researching and teaching entrepreneurship and writer of five published books