Shenise N. Foote
Shenise N. Foote
Development Manager
Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter
Shenise Foote holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. Her career started in Marketing and Events in a Detroit non-profit serving low-income families. Her marketing and event planning expertise led her to the University of Michigan, where she led her department’s marketing efforts and hosted several courses and conferences throughout the calendar year. She successfully raised money and became interested in building a career in Development where she could connect donors to the mission of the causes they support and help them achieve their philanthropic goals.
After nearly ten years in marketing and events, Foote joined the development team at the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter in 2018. She currently leads their fundraising efforts for The Longest Day, an initiative designed to encourage annual giving and peer-to-peer fundraising. Shenise is the chairperson for the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Detroit Chapter. She is a board member for Camp Casey, a local non-profit serving children living with cancer and other rare blood disorders. She is also the Alumni and Donor Relations Chair for Horizons Upward Bound and a member of African American Development Officers Network (AADO).
Foote’s passions involve education, social justice, advocacy, and youth. Her advocacy for older adults caught the attention of her District Commissioner, and she appointed Foote to serve on Oakland County’s Senior Advisory Council. Foote served a two-year term (2019-2020) before stepping down to pursue other advocacy efforts. She’s a graduate of Leadership Oakland, a premier leadership program in metro Detroit. She is a 2020 recipient of the National Philanthropy Day’s Distinguished Volunteer Award for her work with Horizons Upward Bound and a National Association of Charitable Gift Planners scholarship recipient through AADO.
Foote finds great rewards as a fundraiser. She finds the work meaningful and enjoyable. “I took a leap of faith, but it was the best decision I could have made. I help transform lives, make an impact, contribute my current strengths, and grow as a professional.”
How did you get interested in the fundraising profession?
I worked in a very relative field, and I was great at building and sustaining relationships and raising money for events. Because of that, I was introduced to the world of Development. The idea of connecting with people, problem-solving, and making an impact led me to consider a career change. After doing research and assessing my career goals, I decided to pursue a career in fundraising.
What is something you wish you had known early in your fundraising career?
I am still very much early in my fundraising career. I wish I would have known fundraising was a career option sooner. My late start makes me feel I am playing catchup, and I am aggressively pursuing the career. Because of this, I am committed to exposing young professionals and students, especially those of color, to fundraising through mentoring and internship programs.
What is the one quality every fundraiser should have?
Compassion.
What inspires you about the fundraising profession?
It transforms lives.
How do you want to be remembered as a professional?
I want to be remembered as a hard-working, compassionate leader dedicated to transforming lives.