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What was the HIGHLIGHT of your year?

Crystal Bruce

Hi Community!

2025 is coming to a close and I thought it would be fun to share our highlights from the year. What personal or professional achievement are you most proud of? Any fun trips/experiences? Did you finish a really great novel or tv show series this year?

What was your 2025 highlight?

I'll start - I started 2025 on a health journey and happy to report I'm ending 2025.. 51 pounds lighter!

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Bobby Steurer

Professionally, we closed a multi-year campaign, surpassing our goal and everyone's internal expectations. It was a big deal for me, as I was hired in at the beginning of the campaign to provide preliminary data and research. That campaign set the trajectory of my career for over five years, and has set me up for progress in the organization moving forward.

Personally, I got back to my roots of minimal/barefoot running, and enjoyed a few races that way. My wife participated in her first 5K with me, and it was a very cool milestone for us as partners.

Congrats on the health progress, Crystal!

JoAnn Strommen

Professionally, we are wrapping up a $110 million dollar multi-year, multi-fund campaign! Yeah!!! Ready for things to slow a bit.

Personally, in last stages of total kitchen remodel.

Great job, Crystal!

Austen Brown

Professionally - bbcon is always an annual highlight. So many conversations, meeting folks I've only ever known online, and sitting in on sessions that spark 'ah-ha' moments!

Personally - I finished my first crochet project. A cardigan that took at least 100+ hours over four months. Pretty proud of this one! (Deviated from the pattern on the sleeves and trim.)

Wendy Bondeson

Professionally - Attending BBCON for the first time. So many great conversations, sessions, friends and growth.

Personally - Overhauling the HOA website to be more user friendly.

Lauren Henderson

Professionally, our school winning the Silo Buster Impact Award was a definite highlight, as the crowning highlight of a wonderful bbcon!

Personally, welcoming a nephew and watching my niece grow have provided me so much joy 😊

Crystal Bruce

@Austen Brown that cardigan looks great!

Marie Stark

Professionally, updating my NXT Professional Certification.

Personally, I took a solo trip to beautiful Ireland.

Carlene Johnson

2025 has been a big year! After one full year in business, Next Level Database Services is a success and now growing to the point where I’m bringing on sub‑contractors. 🎉 Starting my own business was a huge leap of faith, and I’m so grateful for the encouragement and support of so many in our corner of the non-profit tech world. It’s been both a professional and personal highlight — and it’s bringing me so much joy to be supporting a wide variety of nonprofits doing such important work.

It was also wonderful to see so many Super Users at #bbcon— colleagues who have become both professional and personal friends. That time together was definitely another highlight of the year!

Bobby Steurer

@Austen Brown That sweater turned out great! I just started weaving bracelets recently, so I admire the work you put into that.

Rachel Cavalier

My highlight of 2025 has been starting to get back into my reading groove - I've been reading a lot of Agatha Christie and other whodunnit novels!

Vicky Lopuchowycz

I had both knees replaced (full replacements) this year with 6 months between surgeries! It's amazing the difference - can't wait to start crossing things off my bucket list in 2026 :-)

Sunshine Reinken Watson

Helping clients, community members, and fellow bbcon attendees adopt and adapt to technology (like RE NXT web view) has been both satisfying and rewarding this year.

Jennifer Kluh

We have established a new work team in 2025 and are excited about our goals for 2026

Miki Martin

This past June my husband and I embarked on an 11 day driving trip from northern KY to the west. We spent several days in and around Custer, SD before venturing to Medora, ND and the TRNP. We came home through Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois to see some new sites, including the headwaters of the great Mississippi. It was an incredible trip for us and we would have spent more time in the Dakotas if we could have. Cannot wait for our next trip.

Irene Hui

Personally, surpassed my reading challenge of books read for the year. :)

Aldera Chisholm

@Austen Brown Way to go! I'm working on embracing crochet and knitting after a long time away (I can never decide on which I like better) and I've been knitting the worlds slowest sweater-scarf. Maybe it will be my next year's highlight!

Aldera Chisholm

My 2025 highlight… I settled into a new job with a great team (I started it at the end of 2024, but didn't really get rolling til '25.) I also did a bunch of home renovations so I learned a lot about that side of home ownership that I didn't before, and feel so much more empowered now about living in a 1910 era farmhouse!

Suzan Swartzentrover

Professionally - grateful to be part of an outstanding advancement team.

Personally - my heart is full after welcoming my first grandson, a true highlight of the year.

Suzan Swartzentrover

@Austen Brown Beautiful cardigan! And changing the pattern on your first project is impressive!

Rachel Kauer

Professionally, I changed jobs for a much healthier environment. I'm excited for a new opportunity to problem-solve and engage.

Personally, I've been attending Zumba/dance three times a week this year and getting healthier. I feel so much stronger, happier, and energetic. Additionally, it prompted me to sign up with my old dance school to participate in an annual recital again. It's been a great way to reconnect with a dance family and an activity that I loved from my childhood.

Angela Finley Hunter

https://community.blackbaud.com/discussion/84208/what-was-the-highlight-of-your-year

How wonderful Crystal! Congratulations on your health journey!!!!!

Angela Finley Hunter

One of my professional highlights this year is being asked to write a blog with the amazing @Nichols Condon. Thank you, Nichols, for thinking of me! It was such a pleasure working with you. Looking forward to seeing you next year at BBCON2026!!!

Coco Parham

2025 was more of a personal highlight for me. Got a new knee and our son got married!

Chris Fedor

Personally, I went on a solo trip to Barcelona which I've dreamed about visiting for years. Professionally, attending BBCON was a big highlight and has me energized for all the change coming in the new year.