Date: Monday, April 29, 2019
Category: Apra News
The Visionary Award recognizes an Apra member and industry leader who has served as a pioneer or trailblazer in the field and has qualities that exemplify the spirit of Apra.
Congratulations to Cecilia Hogan, former director of university relations research, University of Puget Sound, and former Apra board member! Cecilia invested 25 years of talent and innovative vision to the world of prospect development. Throughout her career, it was clear that she had emerged as a leader and role model with a unique voice within professional development and networking venues for Apra and other organizations.
Hear from Cecilia:
What does receiving the Apra Visionary Award mean to you?
Have you seen the Publishers Clearing House television ad? The PCH van pulls up on a quiet street in a pretty neighborhood and Wayne Brady jumps out with a giant check to deliver to a soon-to-be-overcome winner. That's what it felt like when Apra President Mark Egge phoned to tell me that the board wanted to give me the Visionary Award.
All the words you've heard about getting an industry's most important award -- those are my words now. You know them. Shocked. Humbled. Honored. Touched. None sounds like enough. They fail to communicate to you, my research friends and heroes, how deeply I feel this honor. See? Here I am, swimming in award superlatives, waiting for you to reach a handout, as you've always done, and rescue me.
What do you see as the biggest accomplishments in your career?
I'm proud of the way I could look ahead. Twenty-five years later, I realize that isn't something everyone can do, but I see that it has great value. It meant a lot to my supervisor. It meant a lot to the management team I've belonged to. Being able to pause in a conversation or in some other important professional “moment” and blurt out, “Wait, what if we … ?” It’s a lovely skill to practice. At first, the predictable, full-steam-ahead, agenda-driven chatter grinds to a halt. Colleagues might be confused, puzzled, maybe even — if truth be told — a little irritated by the disruption and re-direction you’ve caused. Those first few times, you might worry about appearing rude. Trust me: You’ll get better at the “What if … ?” the more you challenge yourself to try it. And, in time, colleagues will respect you even more for being the one who knows when to ask the tough questions.
Get to know Cecilia and learn more about her exceptional career in her recent contributions to Connections.
Register for Prospect Development to see Cecilia and our other Apra Award winners.