Announcing Our Presenting Sponsors for America’s Most Admired Cultures Award
On behalf of DRiWaterstone Human Capital, I am pleased to announce that the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), CFRE International, and BetterWorld will serve as presenting sponsors of the inaugural America’s Most Admired Cultures Award, taking place on April 22 in Washington, DC.
We are deeply grateful for their partnership and proud to align this important initiative with three organizations that represent the very best of the nonprofit sector. Each of these institutions brings a distinguished history of leadership, a steadfast commitment to advancing impact, and a forward-thinking perspective that continues to shape the future of philanthropy and mission-driven work.
From the outset, our intention was to partner with organizations whose credibility and influence reflect the spirit of this award—one that recognizes nonprofit cultures where leadership, values, and measurable outcomes intersect to drive meaningful change. AFP, CFRE International, and BetterWorld embody these principles in both their work and their leadership across the sector.
As we prepare to celebrate the inaugural class of honorees, we are honored to do so alongside partners who elevate the standards of excellence and inspire organizations nationwide.
Doug Trout, CEO of DRiWaterstone, shared:
“We were intentional in seeking partners whose leadership and credibility are synonymous with excellence in the nonprofit sector. AFP, CFRE International, and BetterWorld each represent a distinct and powerful force for good—organizations that not only understand the importance of culture but actively shape it in ways that drive impact. Their partnership in launching America’s Most Admired Cultures Award reinforces the significance of this moment for our field.”
We look forward to celebrating with many of you on April 22.
With appreciation,
Doug Trout Chief Executive Officer DRiWaterstone Human Capital
Rebecca served as our Director of Client and Executive Operations at DRiWaterstone for six years, but as anyone who worked with her knows, that title only hints at what she truly meant to this firm. She was the quiet force behind so much of what we do. Nothing of consequence moved through our organization without Rebecca's care, her judgment, and her steady hand. She held things together in ways that only became visible when you stopped to notice — and she did it all with humility, warmth, and an unmistakable commitment to the people around her. She was a beloved colleague in every way.
For 22 years prior to her joining DRiW, Rebecca served in several key roles, including Director of Board Governance and Ethics and Executive Assistant to the CEO for our close friends and partners, the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She supported eight AFP Global board chairs and worked closely with the AFP President and CEO, always bringing clarity, calm, and a sense of purpose to the work. Her guidance to the AFP Ethics Committee was trusted and respected, not because she sought attention, but because she earned confidence through consistency and care.
Rebecca cared deeply about ethical practice in fundraising. She believed that ethics wasn’t just a policy area—it was the foundation of trust between fundraisers and the communities they serve. To honor that commitment, the Rebecca A. Powell Fund was created to support the AFP Ethics Program.
Supporting this fund is one of the most meaningful ways to carry Rebecca’s influence forward. Your gift sustains the work she poured herself into, equips fundraisers with the ethical guidance they rely on, and keeps her steady, principled voice present in the profession she helped shape.
By giving in her memory, you help ensure that the values she lived by continue to guide AFP—and the fundraising community—for years to come.
