Name: Nicole Preston
Title: Managing Director, National Campaign Development, American Diabetes Association
Location: Alexandria, VA
Number of years as a fundraiser: 17
Number of years at current organization: 10
What inspired you to do this work?
I have family members with diabetes and I love cycling. I’m working with a combination of two things that are important in my life!
What has happened recently that pumped you up?
We added a Women’s Tour in October of this past year. The first event was a pilot launch of a women only event in Santa Barbara, California. I always hope to add new things and continuously improve our events and it is exciting to see a new Tour de Cure series come to life.
Tell us of a recent challenge that you’ve faced?
Getting more participants with diabetes to join in the Tour de Cure. We have our Red Riders program, which is specifically for people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. They receive special training and support and a special jersey to wear with pride on event day.
We have great feedback from Red Rider participants whose lives were transformed. Some lost weight, others lowered their medications and others stopped hiding their diabetes. But most felt empowered to manage the disease better and to take control of the disease in order to live well with diabetes.
What is next for you as a P2P fundraiser?
I am always trying to find new ways to grow the program. Innovative aspects keep the event fresh for participants. The goal is to just keep getting better and better.
What advice would you give to someone just starting a career in athletic event fundraising?
I can’t stress strongly enough that relationship building is the key to everything you do as a peer-to-peer fundraiser.
Editor’s Note: Not long ago, the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum conducted a series of interviews with leaders in the field to gain insights that would be helpful to their fellow fundraisers. As we prepare for a New Year, we wanted to share some of the best interviews here. Look for more P2P Spotlights in the coming days.