Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio welcomes Elizabeth Boor to our development department to help grow support for our chapter at a time when our physical Ronald McDonald House is doubling in size.
By Elizabeth Boor
My name is Elizabeth Boor and I am ecstatic to be joining the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio team as a Major Gifts Officer.
Starting in Development is a pretty large career change for me. Prior to this role, I was an Animal Programs Specialist at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium. I bounced around different regions of the zoo over the decade that I worked there, but most recently you would have found me in the Adventure Cove region training the California sea lions and the harbor seals.
I knew for quite some time that animal training would not be my last career. I started identifying what the best parts of my day were, and I quickly settled on anything that allowed me to share my passions with the people around me. Working with the zoo’s philanthropy team to steward and engage donors during behind-the-scenes tours was an area that I felt this true sense of purpose and fulfillment. I loved to show guests and donors that their dollars could be converted from a simple number to true impact.
With that in mind, I tried to be open to the right opportunities. I love the animals I worked with and it would take something really special to make me walk away. I had some experience fundraising for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and I immediately applied when a development role for RMHC of Central Ohio became available. After meeting with Chief Development Officer Angie Hartley and Chief Executive Officer Dee Anders, I walked out of the House knowing that I had found exactly the opportunity for which I was searching.
Changing careers can be intimidating, but I am drafting this blog post at the end of my second week and I’m already confident that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I am so excited to be on this new path that will allow me to contribute to such a vital cause as a member of an incredible and inspiring team.
The cause, the atmosphere, the staff, the volunteers… It’s safe to say “The House with Heart” has quickly worked its way into mine.