Purdue Veterinary Medicine welcomes the newest member of the College’s Development Team, Chris Parker, who started as the Grateful Client Director of Development May 22. In addition to working to enhance the College’s existing Grateful Client program, Chris will play a significant role in the new Veterinary Teaching Hospital fundraising campaign.
Chris has a diverse background that included moving to Indiana from Kansas after he earned his master’s degree in social work. He initially worked as a counselor and then accepted the position of assistant director at the Lafayette Adult Resource Academy, where he managed a $250,000 grant. At the same time, he led a fundraising effort for a group that was starting a counseling center. That’s when he realized there are many transferable skills between counseling and meeting with people for development purposes. “In both situations, it is best if you go in with no agenda and just focus on establishing a connection and rapport,” Chris said.
Chris has a personality that matches well with the purpose of the grateful client director position. He said it is important to realize that connecting with appreciative clients is vital because they tend to be passionate in their feelings toward the College, since they have benefitted directly from the hospital’s services. “When a doctor demonstrates understanding toward clients and their pets, and provides exceptional attention and care, the clients want others to experience that as well,” Chris explained. He also is passionate about wanting to honor clients by extending to them the opportunity to “give back.”
Outside of work, Chris and his wife are renovating their home, which they enjoy doing together. When he’s not traveling to meet with grateful clients or working on his house, Chris typically can be found spending time with his two dogs, Lady and Lucy. As you see Chris around Lynn Hall, please give him a warm PVM welcome!