The UA Little Rock Leadership Lecture Series continues at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, via Zoom with a talk ​​highlighting the importance of communication when working with donors.

Fundraising is more than just asking for money or attending an event. Successful fundraising is relationship-driven, built on trust, and includes a delicate balance of communication – listening and speaking.

The presenter, Melissa Stiles, chief development officer for the Museum of Discovery, has 25 years of development experience and enjoys working with donors to achieve their philanthropic goals. She has worked with donors who support arts/culture, healthcare, and children’s organizations throughout her career. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from UA Little Rock.

“We are very excited to have Melissa doing our leadership lecture for this spring, as the winner of our Alumni Making a Difference Award in 2021 and the incoming chair of our Advisory Board,” said Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter, chair of the Department of Applied Communication. “Melissa’s long-term passion for worthy causes and working with donors is unique, and I believe her insights will be valuable for anyone who wants to build relationships within the development arena.”

The session, “When to Speak and When to Listen: Lessons from a Development Professional,” aims to help professionals know when to speak and when to listen as a critical skill and key to success with fundraising. This program will highlight the importance of this knowledge, especially as it relates to working with donors.

“It is a privilege and an honor to be the presenter for the next Leadership Lecture Series through the Applied Communication Department,” Stiles said. “My presentation focuses on the importance of communication – both speaking and listening. While my presentation is from a fundraising perspective, the tools and experiences we will discuss are applicable to all professions and all relationships.”

Registration for this free event can be found here.