Anna Sheehan

I attribute my success to being in this field for 29 years and watching it grow from when the internet was brand new in 1997. My master's degree in library and information science with a database management focus from the University of Pittsburgh was most influential in helping me take that next step in my career. That education wasn't about becoming a librarian per se, but about learning database design and management, which has allowed me to consult and help design donor management systems and databases that help us track where we are and where we need to be fundraising-wise and financially. It's all about keeping data in the right place and making user engagement smooth and successful. Those database design aspects have been critical in helping everyone maintain data integrity. My membership with APRA has also been important, and I've been able to give back by presenting at conferences, including speaking at the Ohio chapter conference last year.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you can build a successful career while growing with purpose by supporting and celebrating the growth of others. I’ve found that when you focus not only on your own development but also on mentoring colleagues, sharing knowledge, and fostering collaboration, you create a positive, high-performing environment that elevates everyone. Watching others succeed and contributing to their growth has been one of the most rewarding and impactful aspects of my professional journey.

My advice to young women entering this industry is that you can achieve the success you aspire to just keep moving forward and investing in your growth. Embrace every opportunity to learn, build your skills, and expand your expertise, even when challenges arise. Persistence, continuous development, and a commitment to your own progress will open doors and help you make a meaningful impact in your field.

Networking is pretty important to me right now. I've been in my current role for a year, and I like new challenges. As I face those, especially at this new organization, I'm finding value in connecting with others and learning from their journeys, particularly folks who have worked at smaller nonprofits. This organization is very different in terms of how it's structured compared to the higher education and healthcare organizations I've primarily worked for. We're a very lean operation, which is kind of fun sometimes because when you don't have a larger staff, everybody gets to do a little bit of everything. I want to make sure I stay in the loop and watch and learn from others who are presenting on current topics in our profession. I did a speaking engagement last spring, and I'd like to do that again.

There's something really meaningful to me about helping other people grow in this field. In my last role at University Hospitals of Cleveland, I had two team members who were interested in advancement and new challenges. I spent time with them building what we call professional development plans to help them get more skills, and they both got promotions within that first year. I know I'm more proud of other people than myself, but I take a role in that too. Having been in this field so long, helping other people grow and advance their careers in the right direction is something I'm really proud of. Outside of work, I spend my free time in the Laurel Highlands, a mountain area about an hour outside of Pittsburgh, where I go hiking on really great trails. I also like to do flat water kayaking, though I'm not going to do whitewater kayaking again after trying it once a long time ago. I also spend time with my two nieces who both play ice hockey, and during the season they play fairly locally, so that takes up a lot of my free time.