A fearless people person. That's the shortest and best way to describe Mandy Pons and key to her trajectory from convention manager, hospital marketing professional, nonprofit executive director and part-time volunteer to successful fundraising consultant.

Formerly a senior consultant for Baxter Farr Thomas & Weinstein in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mandy joined Hartsook Companies, Inc., serving such clients as the National Dance Institute in Santa Fe, the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque, Albuquerque Meals on Wheels and Neighborhood Housing Services. She has assisted numerous other Hartsook clients on campaign assessments, including Trinity Episcopal Church, Girl Scouts-Red Lands Council, Barrett Foundation, American Red Cross Mid-Rio Grande Chapter, KVCR-TV and others.

Before moving to Albuquerque in 2000, Mandy was executive director of Oklahoma City's Allied Arts, a fundraising organization for arts groups citywide. Under Mandy's leadership, Allied Arts boosted annual giving to more than $1 million, with over 50% of major gifts donated by individuals. She also achieved consensus among constituencies, enabling the group to significantly expand the number of arts organizations receiving support.

Mandy's affinity for the arts originated with her love of dance. (She's studied nearly every style, from ballet to flamenco.) A former member of Ballet Oklahoma's Board and Executive Committee, she currently serves on the executive committee of the Albuquerque Guild of the Santa Fe Opera.

As for her affinity to fundraising, Mandy says it simply reflects her understanding that people want to help: "When you outline what makes your organization important and wonderful, how passionate you are about the work and what can be done with their support, almost everyone says 'yes'," says Mandy. "If they can't, they apologize." One of her greatest pleasures is helping volunteers grow to understand this as well.

Mandy's experience prior to fundraising included positions with Hospital Corporation of America as staff assistant to the vice president of marketing and planning, Oklahoma Medical Summit as convention coordinator, and the Oklahoma University Medical Alumni Association as executive director. She attended Frank Phillips Junior College and Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City.

A member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, she lives in Albuquerque with her husband Al. They have six grown children.