February 25, 2008 (Vol. 7, No. 3)

Alumna Returns to Present Fundraising Seminar

Lehman alumna Karen E. Osborne ('77), an internationally recognized management consultant and expert in fundraising and marketing, will fulfill her long-held desire to give back to her alma mater next month, when she presents a free, day-long workshop for Lehman staff titled "Major Gifts: A Sure Path to Philanthropic Financial Success."

"As an adult with two children, returning to school was hard, but Lehman helped me get my confidence back and reminded me that I was smart and capable," says Ms. Osborne, who earned a bachelor's in English literature at Lehman. "Lehman gave me the desire to pursue a career and the self-confidence to be successful."

As president of The Osborne Group, a consulting company specializing in organizational management, philanthropy, and opinion research, she relies on thirty years of fundraising, management, and marketing experience to assist her clients. Those clients include institutions of higher learning, independent schools, hospitals, and national nonprofits.

"We are proud to welcome back Karen Osborne, a Lehman success story, to lead this workshop," says Paulette Zalduondo-Henriquez, Lehman's director of corporate and foundation relations. "In light of the College's ambitious fundraising goals, we are fortunate that she has agreed to share her insights and experiences with us."

Attendees at the workshop will discuss the current philanthropic marketplace; share strategies for identifying and engaging major gift donors; enhance their donor visit and strategy development skills; and learn the art of donor solicitation.

A published author often quoted in professional journals, Ms. Osborne has taught about fundraising and marketing at hundreds of conferences and workshops, as well as online and through a CD series. In 1992, she received the Crystal Apple for Outstanding Teaching and Public Speaking from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.

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