Susan Kahan in

Susan Kahan

Commander · DISC type D
Founder/Principal at Sapphire Fundraising Specialists
📍 Chicago, Illinois, United States

Susan Kahan is a fundraising consultant and the founder of Sapphire Fundraising Specialists, a firm she established in 2021. With over a decade of experience at organizations like The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and AIPAC, she specializes in major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaigns. She holds a BA from The George Washington University.

Susans passion for philanthropy is deeply personal; she has a unique habit of studying donor walls at museums, zoos, and hospitals in every city she visits. She spent ten summers at Beber Camp as a camper and later as staff, and now serves as the co-chair for its Annual Fund, reflecting a long-standing commitment to her community.

A self-described "donor wall person, " Susan makes a point to find and analyze donor recognition displays in every city and country she travels to.

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Experience
14 Years
Current Role
Founder/Principal
Location
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Personality Overview

How Susan shows up

Candid & Clear
Risk-Taker
Decisive

They respond well to strong and respectful communication. They put a lot of effort into ensuring personal success. They prefer to move quickly, and expect the same from others.

Priorities

Topics Susan cares about

Nonprofit Fundraising
As the founder of a consulting firm, she helps nonprofits with major gifts, capital campaigns, and strategic planning to help them achieve their missions.
Donor Recognition
Her interest in philanthropy stems from a fascination with donor walls, which she analyzes for layout and donor experience wherever she travels.
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Career

Work history

5-2021
Founder/Principal
Sapphire Fundraising Specialists
10-2017 - 5-2021
Director, Major Gifts and Individual Giving
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
4-2017 - 9-2017
Assistant Director, Major Gifts
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
10-2014 - 3-2017
Ohio Area Director
AIPAC
10-2013 - 10-2014
Northern New England Area Director
AIPAC
In the press

Media appearances

About Susan Kahan - Sapphire Fundraising Specialists. Featured in Sapphire Fundraising Specialists (Company Website)
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Education
2006 - 2010
BA
The George Washington University
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

D

Dominance (D)

Dominance (D) reflects how goal and task oriented a person is, and their ability to accomplish results irrespective of how demanding the circumstances might be. Those scoring high tend to be motivated by winning, competition, and success.

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