Sarah Birnie
Vice President of Analytics
Sarah has nearly two decades of fundraising industry experience, both on the client and agency sides. They spent 12 years at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), where they developed analyses of HRC’s multimillion-dollar fundraising programs, including its multi-million monthly sustainer program, which grew 500% under their leadership. They also prepared annual budgets, spearheaded projects to improve sustainer retention, and managed the day-to-day operations of HRC’s canvas program.
After HRC, Sarah joined ROI Solutions, where they oversaw customer relationship management (CRM) systems, including project scoping, project plan creation, resource forecasting, end-to-end testing, training, staff supervision, and presales demonstration, ensuring all deliverables were met on time with a high degree of accuracy. Additionally, they were a founding member of ROI Solutions’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) steering committee.
As the head of Avalon’s Analytics Team, Sarah takes the lead on developing and maintaining innovative analytical products and deliverables, including Merlin by Avalon®. They also analyze and interpret client data to determine the health of the donor file and spot trends within client fundraising programs and across the industry at large; perform long-range forecasting and cash flow projections; provide expertise in modeling, data mining, and application of demographic data to keep Avalon on the cutting-edge of industry database marketing; and more.
When Sarah is not nerding out with data, they enjoy getting dirty in the garden, juggling, puzzling, taking care of their furry friends, and cooking (and eating!) vegan food.
