Welcoming Ravan Ackerman, Our New Chief Development Officer!
We are thrilled to introduce Ravan Ackerman as EmBe’s new Chief Development Officer! With 10 years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit leadership, Ravan brings a collaborative and easygoing spirit that will strengthen donor relations and blend seamlessly with our team. She shared more about her background, passions, and some fun facts to help us get to know her better.
A Sioux Falls Native with a Passion for People
Born and raised in Sioux Falls, Ravan attended the University of South Dakota (USD), where she ran track as a sprinter. These days, you’ll find her running after her one-year-old son, Maverick, and her energetic Goldendoodle, Stevie.
Although Ravan originally planned to stay in the sports world with her degree in Sports Management, her path shifted during grad school. She discovered her passion for building relationships and working with donors after connecting with the School of Education. This realization led her to serve as the Director of Development for USD’s School of Education, where she found her stride in fundraising.
“Fundraising Finds You”
Ravan reflects on her journey into development, saying, “I once heard that you don’t find fundraising—it finds you.” What keeps her committed to this work is the opportunity to form meaningful connections. She says, “It’s incredibly rewarding to align people’s passions with a purpose.”
During her time with the USD Foundation, Ravan traveled across the U.S., from Palm Springs to Florida, and even visited small-town Dairy Queens in the Midwest. She recalls one memorable trip to Colorado, where she spent an entire day with a donor family, sharing meals and exploring their town. “Most donors become like family,” Ravan notes. “I’m excited to bring that sense of connection to EmBe, building relationships with our families and donors.”
She’s particularly looking forward to supporting fundraising events like In Her Shoes and seeing her son thrive at EmBe Education.
Outside the Office
When she’s not fostering relationships, Ravan enjoys scrapbooking and learning to play golf with her husband during the summer.
Fun Facts About Ravan
- Although her name is inspired by a bird, she’s actually afraid of them.
- She’s an only child.
- A big sports fan, she loves attending Chiefs games in the fall and the College World Series in the summer.
- She’s never without her “emotional support water bottle.”
- She’s an avid online shopper at Amazon and Target.
Help us give Ravan a warm welcome to the EmBe team! We are excited to see the incredible impact she will make in our community. To get in touch with Ravan, reach out to her via email at rackerman@embe.org. To donate to EmBe or find out more about giving opportunities, go to our Giving Page.