DECEMBER 2017 26 | FRONTDOORSMEDIA .COM them and that will make the biggest impact on the zoo. “What’s most impactful are the one-on- one relationships that I start building with a donor and finding the right project that works for them,” she said. “Because of the relationships I have you start seeing amazing gifts coming in.” Those gifts lead to another aspect of what makes Frias’ role so important — community. “They’re the ones making a difference in the community,” she said of the zoo’s donors. She notes that with each project the zoo takes on, the team considers not only the positive impact on the zoo, but on the community as a whole. One of the Phoenix Zoo’s most recent projects, the Wildlife Amphitheater, which broke ground in November, is an example of this. “This is great for the zoo but it’s also part of the community because we’ll be able to service more kids, we’ll be able to partner with nonprofits so they can do events and so we’re really excited and a lot of people in the community were excited about this specific project,” Frias said. It’s changes like this have made the zoo what it is today — one of the premiere conservation centers and zoos in the Southwest, with impressive changes since its opening over 50 years ago. “It’s been very satisfying to play a role in the zoo’s growth,” Frias said. “Not just for me or the zoo, but how we’re better serving our audience so every time we start a new project it’s good for the zoo but it’s also about how it’s going to impact the community.” Her favorite initiatives are the ones that allow children to enjoy the zoo and make memories that will last a lifetime. “One of my favorite programs is our ZooReach program where we raise funds for underserved kids to come to the zoo,” she said. “I know other cultural organizations offer the same program but it’s really important that we give every child the opportunity to come out to the zoo, and we raise funds so kids can come to night camp or summer camp or a daytime visit.” While Frias acknowledges how unique it is for someone to stay in a fundraising role like hers for so long, she remains focused on continuing to be a part of the zoo’s growth, particularly through its current capital campaign. “In fundraising you don’t typically see a fundraiser in that position for as long as I’ve been in this position,” she said. “Mainly my goal right now is to have a successful campaign and to be a part of that, but to be able to see all of the projects that will result from this campaign because it’s really going to I think to set the zoo in a different direction.” What’s most impactful are the one-on-one relationships that I start building with a donor and finding the right project that works for them. OFFICE DOORS CONTINUED

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