GiveGab Team Interview: Alyssa Ravenelle, Manager of Customer Success
Last month we started interviewing our team at GiveGab in order to give our readers a more inside look at the people behind our robust giving platform. Our first interview can be found in the blog article, GiveGab Team Interview: Casey Keller, Director of Customer Success.
For our second team interview, we wanted to highlight one of our most popular GiveGab team members, Alyssa Ravenelle, our miraculous Manager of Customer Success!
1. Where did you grow up?
Goffstown, NH. About 2 hours north of Boston!
2. Can you describe what your job is and what led you to this career path?
I’m the Customer Success Manager at GiveGab and I dabble in a little bit of everything when it comes to our nonprofits and ensuring they’re successful:
- I support the Customer Success Team in our online chat feature
- I’m a Project Manager for Giving Days
- I’m an Elevate consultant
- I help nonprofits envision how they can further their mission by using GiveGab
Every child is asked, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”. When I was asked that question, I didn’t know what I wanted to be, but I knew it had to involve giving back or serving others.
I spent high school and college pursuing a career in the service industry, but it wasn’t for me. I wanted to serve a different clientele – those who truly needed it!
With this position, I get to do that every day. I can help nonprofits envision how they can further their mission by using GiveGab, I can teach them fundraising strategy, and I can lead them to success – whether it’s a campaign raising $1,000 or $100,000!
3. When did you start working for GiveGab?
June 2015 – just over a year!
4. What inspired you to work for GiveGab?
When I was in college, I was part of the Cornell Tradition Fellowship that encouraged students to volunteer in the Ithaca community.
Over my four years, I worked with Loaves and Fishes, the Sciencenter, the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, Cornell Hockey Boosters, Hospicare, Ithaca Children’s Garden, Into the Streets, the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, the Cornell Plantations, and others!
I ended up becoming very involved in the nonprofit community in Ithaca through the Tradition Fellowship, and when I left Ithaca and moved around to a couple of different larger cities, I was missing the nonprofit connections I had while in college.
When the opportunity with GiveGab opened up, it made perfect sense! I was able to reconnect with the nonprofits I volunteered with in the past and help nonprofits make an even greater impact in their communities.
5. What causes and/or nonprofits are you most passionate about?
I am a sucker for anything animal-related and find myself always supporting the Tompkins County SPCA whenever they need anything. They care so much for the animals there and everyone is incredibly passionate about their mission!
I also volunteer with the SPCA in the dog wing on Sundays, so if you’re ever there on a Sunday afternoon, be on the lookout for me!
Casey Keller
has also opened my eyes to the Ithaca Children’s Garden. I attended their ReJunevate event in June and it was so much fun! I’m now a converted Ithaca Children’s Garden supporter.
6. Are there any campaigns running on GiveGab right now that stand out to you?
The Tompkins County SPCA March for the Animals is just kicking off! This is my first time participating in the event, and I’m very excited to be a part of it.
7. Is there a particular volunteer or fundraising experience that has impacted you positively?
The Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties 2016 Women Build Weekend may have been the most fun I’ve ever had at an event!
The GiveGab Gals worked together to build a fabulous playhouse and learned a ton about construction and using different power tools. I felt like I could do anything!
8. What aspects of your job bring you joy?
When nonprofits are having fun and are enjoying fundraising. Fundraising shouldn’t be a laborious process, so when I can help make it more fun and enjoyable for our nonprofits, that just makes my day!
9. What three words would you use to describe GiveGab’s culture?
Fun. Hardworking. Collaborative.
10. What was your Birthday celebration like at GiveGab?
I was in the process of interviewing Bridget, our Customer Success Guru, so it was pretty low-key. But we did enjoy delicious cupcakes from Wegmans!
11. How do you recharge?
A Disney movie. A walk around outside (sometimes playing Pokemon Go!). A quick nap. Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee. Spending time with my family.
12. When are you the happiest?
Taking the first step inside Disneyland or Disney World. It is truly the Happiest Place on Earth.
13. What one memory do you most treasure?
When I was in the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World, I volunteered at Give Kids the World – a 79-acre, nonprofit “storybook” resort in Central Florida where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free vacations.
Volunteering at Give Kids the World was such a big moment for me as I was finally able to give back to the nonprofit that helped me and my family 12 years earlier when we were guests at the resort. I remember that trip like yesterday, and being able to volunteer at Give Kids the World to ensure that other families had an equally amazing experience was truly memorable.
14. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation! I could get around so much faster, visit friends around the world, and avoid airports and traffic!
15. What would a “perfect” day look like for you?
I’d wake up in Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World and spend the entire day in Magic Kingdom. I’d ride every ride as much as I could, and take pictures with all the characters. I’d end the day watching the Fireworks and eating a Mickey ice cream Bar!
16. What is something that is unique or would surprise people to discover about you?
Most people who know me already know this (and if you’ve ever seen my desk at work, or read any of my previous answers you can probably guess), I am a HUGE Disneyphile.
17. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in the last year?
“Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.” – Earl Nightingale
Interested in learning more about our team at GiveGab?
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