Abbie Erickson
Abbie Erickson Prospect Management Analyst, Relationship Management and Prospect Analytics
As a prospect management analyst, Abbie Erickson enjoys meeting one-on-one with development office (DOFF) partners to discuss a variety of topics including the unveiling of the Johns Hopkins Advancement System or JHAS. Throughout the conversations, Abbie helps colleagues navigate through the new software system and assists them with making decisions on their projects. During the week, she rotates days in the Office of Advancement Services (OAS) working the help desk and running office hours to guide JHAS users to find answers to their questions.
A Baltimore, Maryland native, Abbie grew up alongside the Susquehanna River in Cecil County. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communication and graphic design from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania.
How did you get into the development and alumni relations field?
Like many people I’ve met throughout DAR, I actually had no prior knowledge or experience in development when I started in the field. My first role was on the Regional Programs team as their administrative coordinator before moving into the development coordinator role; it’s where I found my data and project management legs. My experience on that team propelled me to seek out more experiences with how we look at and manage our data and collaborate with each other. It’s why I’m where I am today.
What do you like most about your job?
I really like the variety and challenge of learning something new and growing with my team. With the launch of JHAS, I get to work with a lot of different people and help them learn a new way of working. Since joining the Relationship Management and Prospect Analytics (RMPA) team, I’ve been able to develop a whole new set of skills in data management, project management, problem solving, customer success, and Salesforce.
What accomplishment are you most proud?
I’m most proud of being a part of the launch of JHAS! My team and all of OAS has worked really hard to bring this big change to DAR. It has been exciting to be a small part of it. From working on training videos and re-creating our written documentation, to co-facilitating trainings and hosting office hours — it’s all been fulfilling to see our hard work start to pay off day-to-day.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
I tend to be quite the hobbyist and bounce from craft to craft. I recently started making mini sculptures out of air-dry clay. My last two projects were a pink, mini cowgirl boot to hold matches and a donut shaped candle holder (chocolate glazed)!
If I’m not getting into something creative, I love to be outside. One of my favorite things to do is throw on an audiobook and go for a long walk. I try to fit in a five-mile walk every day so having a thrilling audiobook helps me get my steps in.