Apra-IL Presents 20 Questions with ... Amy Tibbs

Based on the 73 Questions series produced by Vogue, Apra-IL presents a series of 20 questions to members and the board. We're excited for you to learn more about your leadership and fellow members in this series of 20 rapid-fire questions. 

Amy joined National Audubon Society in 2018 and previously held prospect research positions at Elmhurst College, North Park University, and Rush University Medical Center. Amy has been involved with Apra-IL as chapter secretary and on the programming committee. She enjoys binging TV shows while surrounded by her favorite creatures (canine, feline, and human) and is excited that spring is (almost) sprung in Chicago!

1. Favorite meal of the day?

Snacks, I’m on Team Snacks all the way.

2. How many unread emails are in your work inbox?

Four unread in my inbox, with about 20 non-urgent/actionable unread emails in curated folders.

3. What keeps you engaged during a very long meeting?

Humor and memes thrown into a PowerPoint. I’m a sucker for a good Office or Parks & Rec gif.

4. If you were not in Prospect Development, what career would you have?

Probably something lame, because prospect development is basically the best. I always toy with the idea of going back to school to become a librarian (like so many in our field), which would be the polar opposite of lame.

5. If it was year 2080 and someone in your role traveled back in time to meet you, what would you tell them about Prospect Development in 2019?

“No, no one entered contact reports back in my day, either.”

6. When you are overwhelmed with deadlines, what is the first thing you do?

Write out a list, make a game plan, and close non-essential tabs.

7. What is your favorite thing about the National Audubon Society?

I love being with an organization that has been around for over a century, advocating for conservation and environmental protections the entire time, something that is so important now. Also, obviously, the beautiful bird paintings.

8. How do you explain your role to people outside of Development?

My work connects people interested in our mission with ways they can support our endeavors.

9. What is the best part of working in Prospect Development?

Being able to indulge my curious nature for the greater good.

10. What is one thing Apra has done for you?

So much! But building my network of peers locally and nationally has been helpful with my career and personally fulfilling.

11. When you come to the Apra-IL meet-ups, what or who do you also make time to visit?

It’s all about the members! I love connecting with friends and former colleagues, but one of my favorite things is meeting new Apra-IL members and researchers new to the field.

12. What book are you reading right now?

Re-reading Bad Blood by John Carreyrou about Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos for book club. Bonkers! See also: The Dropout podcast and HBO’s The Inventor

13. What book would you recommend to people?

Oh man, tough question. Lincoln in the Bardo from a few years back, and I recommend the audio book in particular for the voice cast. It’s a solid story and put me on spiral of reading related books for a few months. It prompted me to reread The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, which I also highly recommend.

14. What is your favorite restaurant in your city/town?

Burger Antics in lovely Brookfield, IL – half a block from a Metra stop and super tasty. Everyone should go. Let me know when you’re coming!

15.  What is your favorite Season?

Summer – I’ll complain about the heat, but the days can feel gloriously endless.

16. Tea or coffee?

Coffee

17. If you could have dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be?

Is it the worst cliché to say the Obamas? I don’t care. The Obamas, one hundred percent.

18. What is your favorite animal, and would you want it as a pet?

I feel like I should say birds, but I cannot. We have two dogs and a cat, so I feel obligated to say they are all my favorite.

19. What is the best advice you have ever received?

“Keep Moving Forward” (from Meet the Robinsons but also, in a variety of similar phrases, from the strong women in my family).

20. What is something new you learned at work today or worked on?

SUPER YACHTS. I feel like there are a lot of stories lately about super yachts – their architects and designers, people who own them, and my favorite, a Forbes article about the “Ten Best Ways to Protect from Pirates and Paparazzi.” I’m not obsessed, but also I’m not not-obsessed.