Sarann Ryan Slattery ‘59 was awarded the 2006 Outstanding Professional Fundraiser Award in Minnesota on Philanthropy Day, Nov. 16. She was given this honor by the Minnesota chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, of which she is a past president and long-time active member.

Sarann graduated from the College of St. Catherine with a BS degree in nursing and then taught in this field. After her first child’s birth, she returned to the College, serving as Alumnae Liaison or “Friendraiser,” as she liked to call it.

Sarann then progressed to Director of Development at the newly merged Cretin-Derham Hall. Contributions rose by 34% while she was there. Within a five-year period, 17 million dollars were raised in the Building for Excellence campaign initiated and guided by Sarann.

She then became the Vice President of Membership at Minnesota Public Radio. During her five years at MPR, she helped increase membership revenue from $7 million to over 10 million. Sarann is presently a CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive), working as an independent development consultant.

Sarann has found that, like nursing, fundraising is all about helping people. “I have always believed my original education prepared me marvelously well for the career I found years later. To say I've been lucky, is an understatement!” says Sarann.

She is known for generously mentoring others, sharing her knowledge, and her friendship.

Throughout her career, Sarann has maintained close ties to the College, serving on the President’s Council. “I am a product of Catholic education and believe passionately about helping to continue to make it available to young women and men from all corners of our city.”

In her closing remarks on Philanthropy Day, she advised the audience: “Always remember that each of us has the capacity to make a difference.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Sarann Ryan Slattery at the Philanthropy Day Awards ceremony, with her friend Jane Keefe Clifford, who mentored Sarann in development while Jane was in charge of the College of St. Catherine Alumnae Annual Fund.