About MeI'm a seasoned consultant who started at the coalface of data management as a DBA. My background was in fundraising and alumni relations at three schools in the UK (I was Amy Barrett at that time), latterly as Development Manager at The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Elstree. In these roles I became increasingly responsible for data systems, implementing and managing The Raiser's Edge and two NetCommunity sites from scratch. I enjoyed a lot of networking in the industry and attended numerous conferences to expand my skillset and understand the challenges other users were facing. In 2008 I was a speaker at that year's CASE Europe conference, delivering my "lessons learned" on a NetCommunity implementation. Later that year I made the jump to the other side of data management as a consultant.
From 2008 to 2012 I was a consultant at Heller Consulting in Berkeley and Oakland, California. A leading independent firm on Blackbaud products, Heller Consulting is known for an exceptional wealth of expertise and knowledge, a team of experts who've all worked on the frontline of fundraising, and a passion for innovation. During my four years with the firm I created a suite of new services, webinars and videos on NetCommunity and worked with dozens of Raiser's Edge clients all over the country, from small community organisations to major multi-state foundations. I've been an independent consultant since 2012. I work directly with clients in the UK and US and have worked with colleagues in the field including Bea Adrianzen Consulting, Beyond Nines (now Nonprofit Garden) and Zeidman Development. |
Photo by Nikki Van Der Molen Photography |
What my clients & colleagues say
“Amy did an amazing job of assessing our database issues, synthesizing the information, and cleaning up years worth of inconsistent data entries and duplicates. She also created documented procedures for us to use as best practices moving forward. Our data is in the best shape it has ever been in! Amy is also very enjoyable to work with, highly professional, fair and capable. We are fortunate to have found her as a valuable resource.”
Sally Glover, Executive Director, South Sound Cancer Awareness Research Expansion (CARE) Foundation
“Amy brings great energy and an analytic mind to her consultancy. With a keen understanding of the needs and budgetary restraints of the nonprofit world I cannot recommend her enough. A Raiser’s Edge project that appears unthinkably difficult is a walk in the park for Amy. Her deft problem solving skills have allowed us to develop an annual donor retention strategy that is both clear and concise for our staff and board. I am forever grateful. Amy's responsiveness and professionalism makes her an extended member of our team and we have worked remotely with her for years. From San Francisco to London, her home base has never been an issue and her communications and ability to get a job done does not falter. She jokes now that she knows what we need and can provide it before we wake each morning due to our time difference. It may be the time difference or she may just be that good!”
Lee Warnecke, Development Manager, Seattle Parks Foundation
“Amy is highly detailed oriented, can multi-task easily, facilitates trainings effectively, understands the big picture and asks the right questions, then can move the project in the right direction. She is thorough and has a great attitude. It was a pleasure working with Amy!”
Lisa Holzman, Director of Development, Santa Barbara Symphony
“Amy is an outstanding professional with a well-honed work ethic, as befits an alumna of Lancaster University; she is also a pleasure to work with as a colleague. 'Self-starter' is an oft overused description, but it fits her perfectly. As well as considerable experience in external relations, particularly in the field of alumni engagement, Amy has also developed advanced skills and experience in the use of IT and design technologies; for example she is one of the best practitioners of Blackbaud's Raiser's Edge™ database system that I have encountered. Reliability rounds out Amy's skillset: she finishes what she starts and can be trusted to get the job done. I have no reservations in recommending her work.”
Nick Fragel, Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Lancaster University
Sally Glover, Executive Director, South Sound Cancer Awareness Research Expansion (CARE) Foundation
“Amy brings great energy and an analytic mind to her consultancy. With a keen understanding of the needs and budgetary restraints of the nonprofit world I cannot recommend her enough. A Raiser’s Edge project that appears unthinkably difficult is a walk in the park for Amy. Her deft problem solving skills have allowed us to develop an annual donor retention strategy that is both clear and concise for our staff and board. I am forever grateful. Amy's responsiveness and professionalism makes her an extended member of our team and we have worked remotely with her for years. From San Francisco to London, her home base has never been an issue and her communications and ability to get a job done does not falter. She jokes now that she knows what we need and can provide it before we wake each morning due to our time difference. It may be the time difference or she may just be that good!”
Lee Warnecke, Development Manager, Seattle Parks Foundation
“Amy is highly detailed oriented, can multi-task easily, facilitates trainings effectively, understands the big picture and asks the right questions, then can move the project in the right direction. She is thorough and has a great attitude. It was a pleasure working with Amy!”
Lisa Holzman, Director of Development, Santa Barbara Symphony
“Amy is an outstanding professional with a well-honed work ethic, as befits an alumna of Lancaster University; she is also a pleasure to work with as a colleague. 'Self-starter' is an oft overused description, but it fits her perfectly. As well as considerable experience in external relations, particularly in the field of alumni engagement, Amy has also developed advanced skills and experience in the use of IT and design technologies; for example she is one of the best practitioners of Blackbaud's Raiser's Edge™ database system that I have encountered. Reliability rounds out Amy's skillset: she finishes what she starts and can be trusted to get the job done. I have no reservations in recommending her work.”
Nick Fragel, Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Lancaster University
Selected client list
Here are just some of the clients I have been fortunate to work with over the years including a few of my favourites from my time with Heller Consulting:
Baystate Health Foundation, Massachusetts |
Direct Relief, Santa Barbara |
Edinburgh Napier University |
Habitat for Humanity Great Britain |
Keck Observatory, Hawaii |
Santa Barbara Symphony |
Seattle Parks Foundation |
Second Harvest Food Bank, San Jose |
SETI Institute, Mountain View |
South Sound CARE Foundation, Tacoma |
