Her Story
About Di
Di Boyer retired in 2024 after spending four decades in fundraising and nonprofits. Throughout her career, she raised funds for healthcare, higher education, downtown development, and the arts. One of her proudest achievements is the Yes Ma'am program, which she created in 2010 to provide free mammograms for underinsured or uninsured women and men, resulting in over 10,000 screenings powered by philanthropy. Boyer earned an associate degree in computer science and completed her bachelor's degree as an adult learner after attending Catholic grade school and high school. She attributes her success to the strong family values instilled by her parents and grandparents in a large family, and she takes particular pride in her two adult children who are contributing to the world. Known as a connector who helped link interns, peers, and board members, Boyer advises that fundraising is an intimate calling where there is a bit of a fundraiser in everyone when viewed from the perspective of giving meaningful gifts. In retirement, she supports her daughter's organic and sustainable flower farm, Pretty Little Flower Farm, by helping with planting and arranging, while continuing her artistic pursuits in painting and maintaining her personal tradition of wearing pink daily in memory of loved ones lost to breast cancer.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Di
01What do you attribute your success to?
I came from a very large family... we had such great parents, grandparents... our parents taught us that there's always room at the table for somebody else. Don't take yourself so seriously. Have fun... I just attribute having good family values... as a mother with two adult children that are just doing wonderfully and contributing to the world, that is the greatest achievement.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I think being always being a connector... I loved the being able to have interns and peers and board members, and if I could help make connections... Sometimes just making that phone call... I think that was my superpower, is just being a good connector.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think fundraising is just such a beautiful career, and it's such an intimate calling... I always tell the story about, you know, I'm a big gift giver... when you support a cause that's meaningful and important, it should make you feel good. And so I kind of flipped the script that I think there can be a fundraiser in all of us if we just think about it from that side of the gift... the future of fundraising is bright. When I see the young people now that are passionate and creative and so inspiring.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think retirement can be a little daunting, because when you retire... I thought, oh my gosh, I'm gonna miss all the social interactions... your circle of friends was very, very big... it forced you to... buy the cute new outfit... And I think that retirement bubble, it's very different. It closes up a little bit... I also love now, I can be very selective on the causes and the things that I support. You know, I still want to be a philanthropist from the other side of the desk.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say that I've always just been true to myself... kind of known everywhere that I wear something pink every day. Every single day I have for 15 years after losing my sister-in-law and my best friend... they know I'm going to show up somewhere with something pink on... you have to keep your sparkle, whatever that is... I just try to be true to myself, and put my smile on every day, and find joy, and not be the complainer, but be the connector again, and I think we all have that sparkle in us.
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