Barbara Talisman, CFRE

Barbara Talisman, CFRE is Senior Director for Development at the World Food Program USA.

Barbara started fundraising on the campaign trail, began nonprofit fundraising with the American Heart Association and continued at the Anti-Defamation League. She is a well-known and well-respected industry leader with expertise that includes board and membership development, donor cultivation programs, major gift solicitation, grant writing, volunteer recruitment and corporate partnership.

Barbara is passionate about excellence in nonprofit management.A social media early adopter, she demonstrates her talents and proficiency in online communication through her presence on Twitter, an e-mail newsletter and this blog, Talisman Thinking Out Loud. Barbara also has a radio show called Making a Difference, where she interviews nonprofit leaders who share how they are inspiring change and rising to meet challenges with solutions that effectively advance their causes.

Barbara earned a Bachelor of Arts at Case Western Reserve University and has continued her professional development through workshops and classes at BoardSource, The Institute for Charitable Giving, Vanderbilt University, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) regional and international conferences and Indiana University School of Philanthropy.

Barbara is an AFP certified Master Trainer. She speaks at industry conferences around the world and leads workshops on many fundraising and nonprofit topics on behalf of the AFP and other association clients. Barbara has written for influential industry publications including Fund Raising Management, Fundraising Success, Advancing Philanthropy and Clout. A member of the AFP Chicago and DC chapter, Barbara was honored with the President’s Award from the Chicago chapter for her outstanding service to the chapter and to the fundraising profession.