Speaker: Susannah Shumate, MAOM, CFRE
Date: Wednesday, October 15th, 2025
Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Community Foundation, 3421 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37215
Ethics: Help! What’s Right? What’s Wrong?
Join us for this fun, engaging (not boring!), important AFP meeting centered on ethics and ethical fundraising. Together, we’ll discuss the real-life challenges that development professionals face in today’s environment. Using provided information, case studies, and a game or two, you’ll learn from both the session leader and your colleagues. When you leave, you’ll feel more confident in your ethical decision-making skills and in addressing the ethical issues you and your organization will (inevitably) face.
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Susannah Shumate, MAOM, CFRE, is a Director of Philanthropy at Austin Peay State University, where she works primarily with the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, the Eriksson College of Education, and the Woodward Library. She has more than 25 years of experience in socioeconomic sensitivity training, fundraising, marketing and communications, and board relations. She has engineered and implemented small, local campaigns and led large, award-winning initiatives. Susannah has also served as the chief executive of small agencies and on the senior leadership teams of multi-million-dollar organizations.
Having worked with partners in the for-profit, not-for-profit, governmental, and faith-based sectors, Susannah is a recognized connector and relationship builder. She is also a sought-after speaker, writer, and panelist on topics such as socioeconomic sensitivity, strategic marketing, board relations, corporate partnerships, annual giving, major gifts, and relationship building.
Susannah is currently attending Austin Peay State University, when she plans to begin a doctoral program in January 2026. She also holds a Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Rhodes College in Memphis. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE); she is one of only 8,200 people in the world who hold the credential. In her off hours, she enjoys time with her husband, Brent, and their four-legged child, Everett; writing; reading; and making handmade greeting cards.
