2024 40 Under 40 Winners

Kaitlin exemplifies excellence in healthcare philanthropy through servant leadership and innovative fundraising strategies. In their role at Sylvester/UHealth/Miller School of Medicine, they have led the implementation of successful programs like the First Time Donor Program and an in-clinic philanthropy initiative, resulting in significant growth of the annual giving pipeline with 46 managed campaigns. Their leadership extends to co-chairing the University of Miami's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and the NACCDO Annual Giving, E-philanthropy & Pipeline Group. Recognized for their strategic vision and commitment to fostering a culture of philanthropy, Kaitlin continues to drive impactful initiatives that support healthcare advancement.

I was already in the development/advancement world and had just moved and was looking for an organization whose mission truly resonated with me. I found healthcare philanthropy and never looked back. 

Working in healthcare philanthropy and getting to see the impact gifts make in real time, through research, clinical trials, and patient care is something that I never want to leave. Connecting with grateful patients and physicians and hearing stories of life-changing medical breakthrough is why I know this is the career I want forever.  

Discovering annual giving as a career possibility really changed the game for me. Working in a larger organization gave me the opportunity to be laser focused and hone my skills in strategy development and building pipelines. 

I am passionate about telling our patient stories. My favorite campaigns to produce are the ones where we have our patients as signers, where we get to tell their stories and how the partnership of research and philanthropy has made a difference in their lives. 

Find your passion. It is ok if you come into healthcare philanthropy thinking you want to be a front-line fundraiser but discover that you truly love stewardship. Or that you really have a heart for diving into the data. If you find your passion and you work with a team you love, what you do won't feel like work and you will get to see the reward when amazing breakthroughs happen all around you.