Ali McLane brings to her work a unique generosity. The well-spoken former
college speech and debate coach experienced an “Aha!” moment as she watched her
students succeed at a national tournament. “Knowing I helped them win was a
great feeling,” says Ali. “I realized that I don’t need to be on stage accepting
awards; it is more fulfilling to help others get there.”
Ali brings that same team spirit to her work at Dini Partners, where she
“turns data into actionable intelligence.” In other words, she uses every nugget
of information available to match the right prospects to the right funding
opportunities. Ali works with clients to enhance and build prospect management,
identification and research programs as well as assisting with data and database
optimization across all departments.
As one of the developers of Prospect Information Network (PIN), a
wealth-screening and consulting company, Ali pioneered the use of software to
identify, profile and segment prospects using multi-layered interests, wealth
and patterns of giving – invaluable information for nonprofits seeking support.
During her nine years with PIN, Ali advised more than 500 clients on the
effective use of wealth, personal interests and affinity data to further their
missions.
Before joining PIN in 1999, Ali enjoyed a career at both public and private
educational institutions. She was a development researcher at Texas Tech
University and the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center during the successful $500
million Horizon Campaign, and went on to serve as assistant director of
development research at The University of Tulsa.
An enthusiastic, motivated professional, Ali received bachelor’s and master’s
degrees in communications studies from Texas Tech University. She is a
co-founder, past president and board member of the Southwest Chapter of the
Association of Professional Researchers (APRA). Ali is president of APRA of
Greater Houston and is a charter member of the Association of Advancement
Services Professionals, serving on their best practices committee.
When she’s not working, Ali – a native of southern Louisiana who is proud of
her Cajun roots – spends her time reading, collecting vinyl records and hanging
out with Little Dog, a stray she rescued from life on the mean streets of
Houston.
