Shari Kolding

Shari is a veteran fundraiser of 25 years specializing in planned gifts since 2011. She has raised more than $14 million in outright gifts and $150 million in planned gifts during her career, while building training programs for board members and other development staff to hone their skills. In her role as Audubon’s Vice President of Gift Planning, Shari focuses on growing the organization’s $180 million pipeline of bequests and other planned gifts, stewarding the Grinnell Legacy Society, and partnering with other fundraisers and Audubon leaders to facilitate gifts of non-cash assets.

Shari has a certificate in fundraising management from the University of Texas, and is certified as a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy by the American College of Financial Services. She also serves as a board member for Austin Playhouse, and is a member of Impact Austin. Shari’s favorite bird is the Black Skimmer, she loves to hike, and in her free time she’ll talk your ear off about YA fiction, quilting, Star Trek, and competitive dog sports.