In today’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, discover a game-changing digital technique, election insights, extraordinary leadership, Avalon updates, the importance of celebrating the good, and more.
Dear friends,
Greetings from San Antonio and the 2026 TNPA Leadership Summit. We kicked things off yesterday with a facilitated workshop on “Clarity, Purpose, and Intention,” followed by a fun evening of networking with colleagues and friends. Today is our full day, and I can’t wait to see what emerges from the presentations and panels. This conference stands out because it is uniquely collaborative, engaged, and actionable. The agenda is well designed, TNPA has high standards for expertise, and every leader in the room will elevate the conversation. It’s been a great experience and an honor to serve on this year’s steering committee. Please be sure to say hello!
A True Leader
With many others, I was saddened to hear that Lonnie G. Bunch III announced plans to resign his role as the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. I have long admired his work and am grateful that Avalon could support his vision both as Founding Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture and most recently at the helm of the Smithsonian. Thank you, Secretary Bunch, for your service, accomplishment, and extraordinary leadership. You will be greatly missed, but your vision will carry on.
I want Americans not to be afraid of their own history, to basically recognize that, by telling the fullness—and some of this is great stories of important leaders, and some of it is challenges we have to face, and some of it is challenges we have overcome—I think that makes you better as a nation, as a people.
—Lonnie G. Bunch III, 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
Election Insights
As midterms approach, I find myself turning to the Brennan Center for Justice’s Midterms 2026 page for insight and analysis. In a recent update, President and CEO Michael Waldman emphasized the importance of turnout: “Election Interference Won’t Work if Americans Vote.” Amid the noise and constantly breaking news, he clarifies which concerns are valid, where things are stable, and what changes are still unfolding. In addition, he urges everyone to focus on turnout, which is the true test and safeguard of our system. We can support this through voting-friendly policies on our teams (like PTO for voting and volunteering), GOTV efforts, and, of course, wearing those “I voted” stickers with pride.
After all the push and pull, voters can make their voices heard. Make a plan to vote. Vote early if possible. In person, with a drop box, or if necessary, using the mail. As we’ve said before, the effort to undermine the election is failing. It will succeed only if citizens stay home.
—Michael Waldman, President and CEO, Brennan Center for Justice
Abandoned Cart Playbook
Last week, Civic Shout featured Avalon’s work with the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), illustrating how NPCA adapted the e-commerce “abandoned cart playbook” for fundraising. The two-layer system combines an exit-intent prompt with an automated follow-up email for donors who start a gift but don’t finish—and it worked. The recovery emails generated a 10x stronger response rate than NPCA’s standard email appeals, with an average gift that was 22% higher than organic web donations. Bravo!
A Running Start
As we continue integrating Faircom New York into Avalon operations, we must always learn and adapt. However, I am consistently impressed at how well Avalon systems translate and model best practices for a much larger enterprise. This running start has helped us ensure smooth transitions, maintain a positive culture, and deliver excellent client service throughout the process. Shout out to VeraData IT for their huge push to equip our team for success. Thank you to Avalon COO Kerri Kerr for steering our culture and operations with tremendous clarity and commitment. And well done to our entire team; this truly is a collaborative effort.
Celebrating the Good
Speaking to these transitions, Kerri recently noted that “Celebrate the Good” is one of Avalon’s 2026 strategic priorities. In a powerful statement to the Avalon team, she shared how this mindset shapes her perspective and can be a guiding light for us all:
Change naturally demands our attention. There are decisions being made, systems being figured out, new relationships being built, and plenty of things that aren’t perfect yet.
But if we give all our attention to what’s changing or what still needs to be solved, we risk missing out on what’s already going really well. And there is a lot going well.
We’ve expanded our expertise by bringing together two respected agency forces for good, welcomed talented new colleagues, continued to bid on exciting new work, and—even in a year of significant change—watched people show up for one another with generosity, flexibility, and care.
Celebrating the good isn’t pretending everything is perfect. It’s making sure our progress—and the people making it happen—get as much attention as the things we still need to fix.
So, as we head into fall, look for the good—and say it out loud when you see it. Recognize a colleague. Celebrate a win. Tell someone when they made your job easier.
There’s so much good happening. Let’s make sure we notice it.
—Kerri Kerr, COO, Avalon
Kerri’s words are true to our team’s experience this year, but they are also much bigger than Avalon. Our sector, our society, and the world are steeped in challenge, but there are also many good people—including you!—making real progress on the issues that matter most. Let’s keep going, and let’s celebrate every win together.
