A Team of Seasoned Professionals

Susan Lasker Dankoff
Co-Founder
Susan has planned and managed successful multi-million dollar capital campaigns, major gift initiatives and related programs, including annual funds, planned giving and foundation/corporate support for four decades. Prior to founding Aspire, Susan served as a vice president and senior consultant with Skystone Partners for 20+ years and as managing partner of the fundraising firm’s Washington office for four years. 

Among the dozens of nonprofits she has served are Virginia State University, St. Louis Zoo, U.S. Diplomacy Center (museum at U.S. Department of State), Children’s Medical Research Institute (Oklahoma City), Volunteers of America, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Suburban Hospital, Olney Theatre Center, ActionAid International-USA, American Red Cross, The Wilderness Society, National Wildlife Federation, and Gallaudet University.

Ms. Dankoff has been a frequent conference and workshop presenter for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Foundation Center, Maryland Nonprofits, and others.  She also is active as a volunteer fundraiser for local and national nonprofit organizations.  Ms. Dankoff is a graduate of George Washington University.  
Email:  sdankoff@aspirenp.com
Phone: 301.229.1443
Steve Meyerson, MBA
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
With more than thirty years of successful experience with nonprofit organizations, Steve has extensive experience in strategic planning, capital and endowment-building campaigns, cultivation and solicitation of major gifts, corporate support strategies, marketing and planned giving programs. Prior to Aspire, Steve founded Meyerson & Associates, providing a full-range of fundraising consulting services, performance coaching and executive search.

Steve was vice president for development for Inova Health System, a 1450 bed healthcare system comprised of five community hospitals, a heart and vascular institute, a hospital for children and a complete array of other health-related programs and services.  In addition, he has held positions as assistant administrator, director of planning, vice president for marketing, business development, and government affairs at a community hospital.

Steve is a frequent speaker at professional conferences and has written and co-authored articles for fundraising publications. He is active in community affairs in the DC region. He holds an M.S. in Hospital Administration and an M.B.A. in Marketing from George Washington University.
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Email:  smeyerson@aspirenp.com
Phone:  703.405.0750




     

Strategic Alliances

Avalon
     Allison Porter, President     
     www.avalonconsulting.net
Carter Consulting Group
     Julie Carter, President
    www.carterconsultinggroup.biz
CGM Research
     Carla Goring-Madden
NBS Solutions
​     Nick Simmonds, President
iWave
     www.iwave.com
Red Rooster Group
     Howard Levy, Principal
     www.redroostergroup.com
Resource Partners, LLC
      Susan Schaefer, CFRE, Principal
     www.resourcepartnersonline.com
WealthEngine
      www.wealthengine.com