Thanks to our 2023 National Philanthropy Day Sponsors!

VIP Reception Sponsor

Dallas CASA Logo

Nexus Recovery Center Logo

Salvation Army of North Texas Logo

Outstanding Philanthropists Award

Children's Health Logo

Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy

Scottish Rite for Children Logo

Outstanding Foundation Award Sponsor

M. Gale & Associates

Special Recognition Award

Texas Women's Foundation Logo



AFP Outstanding Fundraising Executive


This award is designed for an outstanding individual fundraising executive who practices his / her profession in an exemplary manner. Your nomination should include the following:

  • Description of career achievements, i.e., length and tenure of fundraising background, experience and results. The recipient must have at least fifteen years professional fundraising experience.
  • Evidence of quality of leadership that is effective, creative and stimulating and evidence that the individual acts as a team player.
  • Membership in AFP and evidence that individual practices and promotes the AFP Code of Ethical Principles & Standards of Professional Practice for fundraising executives.
  • Description of individual's commitment to continuing professional development, including AFP certification (CFRE/ACFRE), conference participation, publication and professional education.
  • Evidence of commitment to this profession and to philanthropy through voluntary service and financial support of not-for-profit organizations.

Past Honorees

Outstanding Fundraising Executive 2023 - Diana Marquis, CFRE



2023 Diana Marquis, CFRE
2022 Shawn L. Wills, CFRE
2021 Jan Murfield, CFRE
2020 Stephanie Brigger
2019 Cindy Scott, CFRE
2018 Luanne Samuel, CFRE
2017 Pagett Gosslee, CFRE
2016 James C. Lewis, CFRE
2015 James N. Falk, CFRE
2014 Milton Key
2013 April Box Chamberlain
2012 Lesly Bosch Annen, CFRE, CAP
2011 Deborah Montonen, CFRE
2010 David Krause
2009 JoLynne Jensen, CFRE
2008 Lynn Vogt, CFRE
2007 Jan Zeigler, CFRE
2006 Carole V. Rylander, CFRE
2005 John Roppolo
2004 Kay Green
2003 Scott Buchanan, CFRE
2002 Mary A. Brumbach, Ph.D., CFRE
2001 Katherine L. Friend, CFRE
2000 Ragan Rogers Blackmon, CFRE
1999 Linda Wassenich, CFRE
1998 Rebecca Utley, CFRE
1997 W. Plack Carr, Jr.
1996 Warren Gould
1995 Charles C. Sprague, M.D.
1994 John A. Davis, CFRE
1993 Jeanne D. Saunders, CFRE
1992 Robert C. Connor
1991 E. Dwaine Wheatley, CFRE
1990 Barbara M. James, CFRE
1989 Linda R. Cadigan, CFRE
1988 Gordon M. Caswell
1987 Frederick M. Sherman, CFRE
1986 Edward M. Fjordbak
1985 No Recipient
1984 Mary Metta Brinegar, CFRE
1983 Patricia Ann Graham, CFRE
1982 Kent Waldrep, CFRE
1981 J. J. Guise, Jr. *82

* Dallas Chapter Award honorees who became international AFP Awards for Philanthropy Honorees