About the Founder

WHUDDUP, I’M BRI.

I am a career fundraiser with over 14 years of experience in the faith-based and social-service sectors.

My management experience was forged in the fires of the COVID crisis, and I’ve learned since then to lead with love and joy. I motivate teams by creating spaces of belonging. And I’ve leveraged my inner weirdo to master the art of leading authentically and effectively.

MY (SOFT, PUDGY) BODY OF WORK

I have opinions about leadership, and apparently people keep inviting me to share them out loud. Over the years I've had the opportunity to present, write, and generally make my case — at conferences, in webinars, in print — about what it actually looks like to lead with joy, belonging, curiosity, and gratitude.

Some of it has been about fundraising. Some of it has been about culture. All of it has been about people — and that's the point.

NEED A GUEST SPEAKER OR AUTHOR?

I talk about leadership in a way that makes people feel seen — and occasionally makes conference organizers nervous. 😏😏😏

If you host a podcast, run a publication, or organize conferences for nonprofit professionals who are probably (definitely) tired of the same polished talking points, I'm your person.

Send all speaker and writer requests to bri@oddballleadership.com.

PRESENTATIONS

Presenter, “Leading with Love: How Joy, Belonging, Gratitude, Appreciation, and Curiosity Make Fundraising Magic Happen” (AFP Global LEAD Conference, October 2025)

Presenter, “Enter the Donor Matrix for Strategic and Intentional Connections” (AFP St. Louis, April 2025)

Presenter, "God's Word: Where Faith and Fundraising Meet" (ACF Faith & Fundraising Conference, March 2023)

Presenter, "Inspiring Their Second Contribution with a New Donor Welcome Kit" (YNPN STL Symposium, March 2022)

PODCASTS

Guest, "Building Trust and Belonging: Transforming Nonprofit Fundraising Teams with Bri Gerzevske" (Let's Talk Fundraising, January 2025)

Guest, "Leading Ladies: Bri Gerzevske, Oddball Leader" (The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge from KFUO Radio, March 2026)

ARTICLES

Author, "Care, NOT Cake: Nonprofit Leadership’s Hardest Lesson" (Nonprofit Hive Blog, June 2025).

Co-author, "Top 12 Nonprofit Fundraising Tips for the Summer" (Mike Esposito Fundraising Newsletter, June 2025).

WEBINARS

Panelist, "Reframing the Nonprofit Narrative: Telling the Real Story of Impact" (The Nonprofit Hive, January 2026)

Panelist, "Mission Accepted: Conveying Your Nonprofit's Mission to New Supporters" (NXUnite Webinar, June 2023)

Panelist, "A Tight-Knit Community: Best Practices for Faith-Based Organizations" (NXUnite Webinar, May 2023)

Panelist, "New Year, New Donors: Finding, Engaging, and Retaining New Donors" (NXUnite Webinar, January 2023)