the MCELROY group

Hello Friend! I'm Allison. 

 

I am a gregarious cocktail of people pleasing, approval seeking, and humor instigating - I'm like a bubbly spumante!? I find life is better when you are friendly, engaging, funny, bubbly, warm, loyal, and a great listener.

 

I work hard to be YOUR FRIEND, and I will share my experience and knowledge to help you reach your professional and personal goals.

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I am a native Arkansan, born and raised in Jonesboro. After spending the last 27 years in Rogers, I now consider myself a super fan of all things Arkansas. I am one of those crazy people who can cheer for the Razorbacks as I keep my allegiance to my beloved Arkansas State Red Wolves. 

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Duane is my husband, and I am mom to Cooper and Barret. In my spare time, I love to sing! I sing locally for church choir, special events, and even the Star Spangled Banner at Razorback sporting events. Recently, I have started singing a #SundayNightSong each week on Sunday nights via my Facebook and Instagram pages. 

 

I have been in the trenches as the one who started everything from scratch, and I made mistakes as I learned. What I want the most is to help you find all the tools you need to avoid the same roadblocks and frustrations I had as I was creating a development department and team 27 years ago.

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I love the organization where my career in fundraising began, Open Avenues. It will stay forever close to my heart. It was my home away from home for almost 21 years! My time there shaped me into the person I am today. We achieved so much while I was the Foundation Director there. When I started there in the spring of 1995, I had no idea my job was going to become a career. After establishing a development department, blazing through a $6.5 million dollar capital campaign, and the many other accomplishments of fundraising - I felt the baptism by fire! I know my time there shaped me for my place in life today... which is HELPING YOU achieve all your goals!

 

In 2015, I stepped away from Open Avenues to take care of my Dad, Bill. While taking care of him, The McElroy Group was born in March of 2016. After 6 years of caring for him, Dad passed away unexpectedly on March 3, 2022. I will treasure that time I had with him.

 

What keeps me going is the ability to work with some of the most amazing organizations and individuals! It fills me up and puts a twinkle in my eye. I love strategizing with people and really breaking down the lofty goals into an easy-to-follow plan.  

 

I am a public speaker, a mentor, a cheerleader. I am passionate about Rotary and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and in my many years in this business, I can say I was there when the AFP Northwest Arkansas Chapter started! (And no, dinosaurs didn't roam the earth then - Ha!) I even earned an award that's like the Oscar for fundraising professionals - the Outstanding Fundraising Executive!

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I am here to help you when you need me. All you have to do is - Ask Allison!