In this special episode of The Fundraising Elevator, host Samantha Swaim takes listeners behind the scenes at the Raise Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Recording live from the Raise Nation Radio studio, Sam talks to six industry leaders, gathering their insights on what fundraisers should focus on right now and busting common fundraising myths. Featured Guests: Barbara O'Reilly - Founder and Principal, Windmill Hill Consulting Nathan Chappell - Author and Chief AI Officer at Virtuous Susan Kramer - Founder/CEO of Susan Kramer Consulting Christina Jones - Founder of Command Joy Matt Bitzegaio - CEO of DonorDock Bradley Martin - VP of Growth Marketing at Feathr This special episode offers you actionable insights and inspiration from leading voices in the fundraising sector all recorded in the energetic atmosphere of a live conference setting. Special thanks to GSF Media, OneCause, and Raise Nation Radio. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Barbara O’Reilly: https://whillconsulting.com/ Connect with Nathan Chapell: https://virtuous.org/ Connect with Susan Kramer: https://susankramerconsulting.com/ Connect with Christina Jones: https://www.commandjoyco.com/ Connect with Matt Bitzegaio: https://www.donordock.com/ Connect with Bradley Martin: https://www.feathr.co/ Thank you to GSF Media: https://gsfmedia.com/ Thank you to OneCause: https://www.onecause.com/ Thank you to Raise Nation Radio: https://www.onecause.com/raise-nation-podcast/