Stephanie Willis

Stephanie is passionate about helping nonprofits understand how to effectively use data and research to enhance fundraising. She has over ten years of experience in prospect research, prospect management, and data analytics at both higher education and nonprofit organizations. Stephanie is the author of the upcoming book, The Art and Science Approach to Fundraising Data and Research (Amplify Publishing Group, 2026).

At Creative Fundraising Advisors, Stephanie’s main responsibilities are establishing strategy, procedures, and processes for the areas of prospect research, prospect management, and data analytics, while also providing operational support for client campaign and fundraising initiatives. Stephanie is Blackbaud certified in Raiser’s Edge NXT and Raiser’s Edge, and has a master’s degree in library science. Additionally, she is a Gallup-certified Strengths coach and enjoys helping others understand, apply, and integrate CliftonStrengths results into their lives and work. 

Stephanie has also been an Apra member and volunteer since 2013. For six years, she served on the Apra Indiana Board in roles including webmaster, programming chair, treasurer, and vice president. In 2019, Stephanie co-founded the Apra Great Lakes chapter to launch a new regional experience for local state chapters. She has been a regular attendee and speaker at the annual Apra PD conference and served on the Curriculum Planning Committee for three years. Stephanie is currently serving on the Apra International Board and is the President of the Apra Foundation.

Before joining CFA in 2021, Stephanie was the Senior Manager of Research and Data at Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana. In this position, her primary responsibilities included serving as the database administrator and providing prospect research and management support for Marian University’s Forging Leaders Campaign. Prior to Marian University, Stephanie worked at the United Way of Central Indiana where she was tasked with creating a new prospect research unit within the fundraising department.

Originally from Detroit, Stephanie currently resides in Three Rivers, Michigan.