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Michelle Aquino Mooney is a seasoned nonprofit development professional with over a decade of experience in fundraising strategy, donor communications, and high-impact campaigns. She currently serves as Development Director at Rise Against Suicide, a Colorado-based nonprofit that directly supports hundreds of young lives each year.
She began her career at the Michael J. Fox Foundation, where she helped raise over $6 million annually. Since then, Michelle has led strategic development efforts for respected organizations including buildOn, One Love Foundation, and Americares.
Michelle holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from The New School University. At Philanthropy.org, she leads content strategy and contributor outreach, ensuring that every piece we publish reflects the authenticity, urgency, and vision driving today’s philanthropic sector.
Patrick O’Donnell leads the editorial vision for GIVING magazine, shaping the voice, tone, and integrity of the publication. With decades of experience in journalism and a rare talent for asking the right questions, he ensures each issue delivers clarity, authenticity, and substance to the philanthropic conversation.
In addition to GIVING, Patrick oversees editorial direction for Philanthropy.org, MajorGifts.com and PlannedGiving.com, guiding content strategy across platforms to ensure consistency, authority, and a unified voice. His work bridges thought leadership and practical insight, helping elevate the sector’s most important voices and ideas.
Connect with him on LinkedIn and at PatrickFODonnell.Com
With four decades shaping transformative philanthropy at America’s most prestigious institutions, Denis Spizuoco has facilitated over $900 million in strategic giving through his senior development roles at the University of Pennsylvania, The American College, Valley Forge Military Academy, and the Wounded Warrior Project.
A proud alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania, Denis returned to his alma mater to lead strategic gift initiatives—architecting donor strategies in direct collaboration with university leadership, board members, and the president’s office. His work advanced long-term institutional priorities while building enduring relationships with the university’s most committed supporters.
During his distinguished tenure at the Wounded Warrior Project, Denis served as Principal Gifts Specialist, cultivating high-trust partnerships with major donors committed to transformative giving for our nation’s veterans. His decade-long dedication to the mission exemplifies his approach: patient relationship-building that aligns donor passion with institutional impact.
Called out of retirement to continue his life’s work, Denis brings the rare combination of institutional knowledge, proven expertise, and the wisdom that comes from facilitating nearly a billion dollars in philanthropic investments. His return to active practice speaks to both his passion for the field and the demand for his unique approach to donor engagement.
Throughout his career, Denis has earned a reputation for quiet integrity, sincere donor engagement, and strategic thinking. Whether working with individuals, families, or institutions, he brings a calm, seasoned presence and a deep respect for each donor’s values and philanthropic vision.
For those committed to creating lasting philanthropic impact, Denis offers the strategic counsel and proven expertise to transform vision into legacy.
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Fun Fact: Denis and Viken Mikaelian—founder of PlannedGiving.com—were classmates at the University of Pennsylvania, but didn’t meet until ten years after graduation. Life has a funny way of bringing the right people together at the right time.
