February Educational Program & Networking
Teamwork that Transforms: How Marketing & Development Partnered to Make "Day of Giving" a Success
Presented by:
Nicki Ragan
Director of Marketing & Communications, Carrollwood Day School
Ashley Souza Gerb
Director of Development, Carrollwood Day School
When marketing and development work in silos, messaging splinters, momentum stalls, and fundraising potential goes untapped. But when these teams align around shared goals, the impact on donor engagement and revenue can be significant.In this session, we’ll break down how a strategic partnership between our marketing and development teams transformed Day of Giving from a standard effort into a record-setting fundraiser. We’ll focus on why alignment matters, how unified messaging and coordinated planning drive stronger participation, and what practical steps you can take to build this collaboration within your own organization.
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Tuesday, February 17, 2026
11:30 am | Networking
Noon | Program & Lunch Service
Location:
Brio Italian Grille | International Plaza | 2223 N. Westshore Blvd. Tampa FL 33607
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Program Fee
AFP Member - $35.00
Guest - $45.00
The program will only be offered in-person. Please indicate when registering your meal choice for meal planning purposes.
AFP Tampa Bay aims to be accessible and inclusive to all of our members and guests. If you require special accommodations, please let us know via email so we can plan to make adjustments to the program
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Menu Choices
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Applied for 1.0 hours CFRE
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Speaker Bios
About Nicki Ragan
Nicki Ragan is the Director of Marketing & Communications at Carrollwood Day School, a co‑educational International Baccalaureate institution in Tampa Bay. With a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Florida, Nicki brings creative strategy and storytelling expertise to her role, along with 25+ years of marketing and communications experience in various industries. In her position, she leads external and internal communications, aligning marketing efforts with the school’s mission to cultivate principled, entrepreneurial thinkers inspired to better the world. Under her leadership, CDS has elevated its local and regional presence, built stronger community partnerships, and embraced innovative approaches in admissions, advancement, and digital engagement.
About Ashley Souza Gerb
Ashley Souza Gerb is the Director of Development at Carrollwood Day School, where she leads strategic fundraising initiatives that strengthen community engagement and fuel the school’s mission of excellence in education. In her role, Ashley oversees annual fundraising programs, including the Patriot Fund and Patriot Gala which fundraise to expand opportunities for students, faculty, and campus growth through philanthropic support as well as alumni engagement. Her work emphasizes building meaningful donor relationships, aligning fundraising efforts with institutional priorities, and enhancing the school’s impact across academic, arts, and athletic programs. Prior to her current role, Ashley served in development positions that deepened her expertise in community engagement and nonprofit fundraising. She holds degrees from The University of Tampa and the University of South Florida, blending a strong academic foundation with a passion for mission-driven work. With a collaborative approach and strategic vision, Ashley is dedicated to cultivating a culture of giving that empowers the CDS community to rally behind shared goals and long-term success.
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Meeting Guidelines
AFP Tampa Bay recognizes the importance of personal connection, but your health is our priority. We continue to monitor the community level for our area and follow CDC recommendations.
We ask that you not attend if:
- You have recently tested positive for COVID-19. Use the self-evaluation tool HERE to determine when you may return to in-person meetings after testing positive.
- You have been recently exposed to someone with COVID-19.
- You are waiting on COVID-19 test results.
- You feel you may be becoming sick, running a fever, or experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19 such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
