A non-profit for Prospect Development professionals. 

The 2024 Apra-IL Board

From our programming to resources, identity to strategic direction, the volunteer board drives Apra-IL.


President | Peter Kotowski | he/him 

Term(s): 1/2022-12/2023 & 1/2024-12/2025

Peter served previously as Apra-IL Vice President from 2018 to 2021 before becoming the chapter's President in 2022. 

He works remotely as Director of Prospect Development with the University of Denver. He is also an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago, where he also spent the last five years as a member of the Prospect Management & Research team.

Peter is looking forward to providing quality programming and resources for Apra-IL members and hopefully networking with members at in-person event!



Vice President | Courtney Malmsten | she/her

Term(s): 1/2023-12/2024

Courtney has been an Apra-IL member since 2019. In 2023, she joined the board as Vice President to help advance the organization’s programming and events planning.

Courtney is currently the Assistant Director, Prospect Research & Management at Northwestern University. At Northwestern, she assists the organization’s regional teams in New York and the West Coast in identifying and researching prospects and helping to facilitate the movement of prospects and proposals.

Courtney is excited to join the board and get to know more prospect research professionals in the area!




Secretary | Michael Burress

Term(s): 1/2024-12/2025 

Michael is a dedicated professional with a diverse background in higher education and private sector experience. Since November 2019, he has been an integral part of the University of Chicago, where he plays a crucial role in supporting the College and the parents and family philanthropy program.

Before joining the University of Chicago, Michael enjoyed a successful career as a Senior Owner Insight Analyst at NetJets. His analytical skills and strategic insights were instrumental in contributing to the creation of CRM that was utilized by frontline staff at NetJets. Michael has also been employed with the Ohio State University, Macy’s, and in 2011 he started his prospect research career with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He is a Miami University graduate, and he was awarded his master’s degree in social work from the University of Cincinnati.



Director of Membership | Priya Balachandran | she/her

Term(s): 1/2023-12/2024

Priya, being an Apra international member for quite some time, is excited to take her level of involvement with Apra to the next level by joining the Board of Illinois Chapter.

She is a Prospect Research & Management Specialist at Northern Illinois Food Bank, where she is also part of committees including DEI and Strategic Plan UNITE. She loves volunteering and is/has been actively involved with various non-profit organizations ever since she completed high school.

As a researcher who never stops learning, Priya is looking forward to continuing to develop her skills and use them for expanding the reach and growth of Apra-IL by working collaboratively with other board members.



Director of Marketing | Martha Ortinau Rowe

Term(s): 1/2024-12/2025

Martha is a seasoned development professional with a career spanning over ten years, characterized by progressive leadership, operational excellence, and impactful fundraising across the healthcare, education, and nonprofit sectors. With a strong passion for program innovation and growth and a background in Prospect Research & Development, Annual Giving, and Major Gifts fundraising, Martha combines strategic vision with a deep understanding of data analytics and constituent relationships to achieve remarkable results.

While at Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Martha has developed the Prospect Research and Development department from one person to a dynamic five-person team responsible for supporting fundraising infrastructure as well as strategic partnerships with Principal Gifts, Major and Mid-Level Giving pipeline development, physician engagement, Events, Foundation Relations, and Corporate Giving. In addition to supporting the PR&D team, Martha drives NMF’s Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects through research, benchmarking, and implementation of key initiatives.

While not at work, Martha enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 year old daughter (endearingly dubbed “tiny monster”), and 10 year old “puppy” taking distracted hikes or watching shows on the couch while the tiny monster sleeps.



  

Treasurer | Rachel Pike-Norton | she/her 

Term(s): 1/2024-12/2025

Rachel has spent the last decade in prospect development and currently serves as the Director of Prospect Research at George Washington University. Prior to joining GW, Rachel co-led the Prospect Research team at the University of Chicago. Based in Oak Park, IL, she previously resided in Washington, DC where she worked at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Human Rights Campaign, the United States Senate, and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a concentration in Women’s and Gender Studies from Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, and a certification in Conscious Leadership and Team Management from the University of Chicago’s Graham School.


                   

Director of Programming | Taylor Scott | she/her 

Term(s): 1/2024-12/2025

Taylor has been an Apra-IL member since 2021. She is currently a Philanthropy Associate in Prospect Research & Development at Northwestern Memorial Foundation, the philanthropic arm to Northwestern Medicine. In her role, she identifies prospects, helps facilitate portfolio management, and conducts research, in particular focusing on the principal gift program.



Apra-IL and Cooperation

Apra Great Lakes Conference Liaisons

Katie Ingrao

Kathryn Thomas

(sub) Peter Kotowski

For more information about Apra Great Lakes, please visit the website here.


Apra-IL is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization. 

332 S Michigan Ave. Suite 1032 #A62, Chicago, IL 60604 | apraillinois@gmail.com

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