Dakin Humane Society Appoints New Development Director
The nonprofit moves to modernize donor data and fundraising strategy under new leadership.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in People
The Dakin Humane Society has appointed Marla Shelasky as its new associate director of development. In this role, she will oversee strategies for donor cultivation, annual giving, and data management for the Springfield-based organization.
Why it matters
Shelasky brings eight years of experience from Make-It Springfield, signaling a focus on leveraging established local donor networks. Her arrival marks a transition in the organization's approach to long-term fundraising and donor lifecycle management.
Marla Shelasky joins the organization after an 8-year tenure at Make-It Springfield. The appointment initiates a new phase of strategic donor management and annual giving initiatives for the nonprofit.
The players
Dakin Humane Society
A Springfield-based animal welfare organization managing regional donor and animal care programs.
Marla Shelasky
A nonprofit development leader with eight years of experience managing donor and communication strategies.
Make-It Springfield
A community-focused organization that served as the long-term employer for the new appointee.
The details
As associate director of development, Shelasky will lead the implementation of systems for donor data management and cultivation. She leverages a background in project management at People, Places & Design Research and fundraising education through the Association of Fundraising Professionals. These operational shifts aim to refine how the society identifies and retains recurring donors.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: Appointment announced.
Market Landscape
Shelasky's mandate to improve data management reflects a broader trend among regional nonprofits to modernize donor tracking. This shift aligns with professional benchmarks set by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for long-term fiscal stability.
Operators in the nonprofit sector should watch how new donor data management systems impact local campaign efficiency and retention rates. Tracking these metrics can provide a useful benchmark for evaluating your own organization's fundraising technology and workflows.
The takeaway
This appointment highlights the growing importance of technical proficiency in donor cultivation for regional nonprofits. Development managers should evaluate their current data management tools against the standards promoted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals to ensure alignment with best practices.
Further reading
For more on personnel changes in the regional business community, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BusinessWest.
