Bacon Lee & Associates bids a heartfelt and loving farewell to long-time associate Barbara Anne Stephens, who is retiring this month, after 13 years with the firm. Barbara Anne was the first associate of Bacon Lee, joining Mike Bacon and Marion Lee in the early days of Bacon Lee’s consulting operation.
A graduate of Trinity University, Barbara Anne became a fundraising professional in 1988, following a career in teaching. She was Director of Development for Mission Road Ministries from 1988 to 1997. In January of 1997, she was named Vice President of Development for the Witte Museum. In the fall of 1999, Barbara Anne became an independent fundraising consultant and joined Bacon Lee and Associates in 2000.
Her list of clients has included churches and statewide religious organizations, arts and cultural institutions, libraries, human service agencies and secondary schools. She is a respected speaker and has led sessions for nonprofit organizations across the spectrum—from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics to Meals on Wheels of Texas.
Marion Lee said, “Barbara Anne has been instrumental in Bacon Lee’s success since our founding.” Mike Bacon said, “Her fundraising skills are matched by her heart for those we serve. Our firm is better for her having been here.”
Jack Rodgers, Vice President of Development for Morningside Ministries, who has worked with Barbara Anne through the years said, “Barbara Anne is a wonderful friend, colleague, mentor and a great resource of knowledge about our community. She has been a major leader and guiding spirit in the fundraising community and leaves a profoundly inspiring legacy.”
Barbara Anne is former President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals San Antonio Chapter, was twice the President of the Trinity University Alumni Association and a former Advisory Trustee, is a member of the Trinity University Board of Visitors and is a Ruling Elder of First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio. She was a board member of Morningside Ministries, Mission Road Ministries, and currently serves on the board of Cooperative Ministries in Higher Education at St. Philip’s College. AFP San Antonio named Barbara Anne the Outstanding Fundraising Executive of 1999.
In her retirement, she and her husband Kenny plan to spend more time with their two sons and five grandchildren and to enjoy their second home on the Texas coast.
If you’ve worked with Barbara Anne and would like to share a short note with her, please send your emails to bstephens@baconlee.com