by Liza Boffen-Yordanov, CFRE
Vice President of Individual Giving,Girl Scouts of the USA

With nearly 30 years in fundraising, I’ve been inspired by each global mission of the organizations I’ve served. Every cause has deepened my understanding of the power of collective action and generosity—inspiring me to stay curious and hopeful, while continuing to advocate for change that lifts individuals and communities.

People First, Always

I entered the fundraising profession because I’ve always been motivated by work that creates real, lasting impact. Originally coming from the alumni side of the house, connecting donors with opportunities to change lives felt like a natural expression of that purpose. I quickly saw how strategic philanthropy can transform organizations and communities. 

Added to that, being a first-generation college graduate profoundly shaped how I view opportunity and responsibility. I navigated higher education without a built-in roadmap, and I understand how transformative every scholarship, mentor, and support program can be. Seeing long-term impact grow from a spark of donor belief is incredibly meaningful to me. 

This perspective has stayed with me throughout my career. I’m most proud of the moments where I can see connections of philanthropy directly remove barriers. From opening doors for students who might not otherwise have resource access, to strengthening programs that support underrepresented communities, to creating spaces where people feel seen and valued.

While my career has taken me across continents and sectors, this lesson has remained constant: When you invest in people, entire communities benefit. Across every organization I’ve served, from global universities to Girl Scouts, the common thread is access. Access to education, opportunity, health, and to the networks that make lasting change possible. 

Whether supporting students, patients, or young girls, the work is about unlocking potential and building pathways that didn't exist previously. 

CFRE: A Network of Ideas and Support

As my career progressed, I decided to earn the CFRE because of the power and recognition of the certification. It’s brought a level of professional credibility and trust to my work with donors and colleagues. It also reinforced my commitment to ethical fundraising and solidified my credibility in the field. That credibility helped open doors, deepened relationships, and created the confidence I needed for transformational giving.

The way I see it, fundraising, at its best, connects generosity with possibility. It’s about helping donors see themselves as partners in change, and ensuring those partnerships are intentional, equitable, and sustainable.

Earning my CFRE sharpened both my strategic approach and my ability to build trust. These two factors are critical when leading complex, high-impact fundraising efforts.

In my work leading advancement teams across global institutions, I’ve seen how applying CFRE principles, particularly around ethical practice, donor-centered strategy, and long-term relationship building, strengthens results. In campaign environments, these principles have translated into more disciplined planning, stronger alignment between institutional priorities and donor interests, which ultimately leads to greater philanthropic investment and impact.

The CFRE is powerful because it transcends industry-specific sectors. Whether you’re working in education, healthcare, human services, or international NGOs, the core principles of ethical, effective fundraising remain the same.

Ultimately, CFRE reinforces that fundraising is both an art and a discipline. It supports fundraisers in being more strategic and agile, so that no matter the mission, we can build stronger relationships and drive greater impact.

Liza Boffen-Yordanov, CFRE, is Vice President of Individual Giving at Girl Scouts of the USA, in New York, New York. She earned CFRE certification in 2008 and currently serves as a 2026 CFRE Ambassador.