Cathy Sanders, former UAMS major gift director, joins Heifer

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Aug. 18, 2010) — Heifer International today announced that Cathy Sanders, former senior director of Development for the University of Arkansas for Medical Services, has been named the global hunger-fighting organization’s vice president of Philanthropy.

Sanders, who led the major gifts program in the College of Medicine and directed a $95-million campaign for the college, will be doing similar work to raise funds for Heifer’s mission to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth, specifically to help diversify the organization’s donor base.

“I am delighted to announce Cathy as Heifer’s new vice president of Philanthropy,” said Steve Stirling, executive vice president, Marketing and Resource Development. “Her experience in fundraising, and especially in cultivating and nurturing relationships, will ensure we continue to delight our donors, but also open new doors and create new opportunities to engage people with our work with families in need.”

Sanders will oversee Heifer’s major gifts program as well as its current and future capital campaigns. She joined Heifer officially on Aug. 12, 2010.

“I am excited to join such a well-respected, international organization fighting to end hunger and poverty in our world and I look forward to working with the Heifer team and meeting all the wonderful donors around the country. I can’t wait to share Heifer’s story with many new donors and friends.”

As senior director of Development for UAMS, one of Sanders’ most rewarding projects was working on a team to secure a more than $3-million gift to open a new clinic desperately needed for patients in Arkansas.

Before joining UAMS, Sanders worked as associate director of Development for Hendrix College, a nationally ranked private undergraduate liberal arts school related to the United Methodist Church.
She began her career in government working for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, office of the chief counsel, where she worked with the General Assembly and aided in the development of risk management regulations.

She also worked in the state Treasurer’s office and as executive director of the Arkansas AIDS Foundation, a nonprofit that provides for the basic needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in Central Arkansas.

Sanders earned her degree in marketing and her master’s in Public Administration from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. She is a graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XXV; a member of the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Arkansas Chapter; member of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP); Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Group on Institutional Advancement; Council for the Support and Advancement of Education (CASE); and a board member of the Child Development Center in Little Rock. She attends First United Methodist Church in Little Rock, where she has held numerous board and committee positions.

About Heifer International
Heifer's mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in 50 countries, including the U.S., to help families and communities become more self-reliant.

For more information, visit www.heifer.org or call (800) 696-1918.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark