NDOA Names Davidson as 2011 Professional Achievement Award Winner

The Northwest Development Officers Association (NDOA) has selected Robert W. Davidson as the recipient of the 2011 Professional Achievement Award. This award recognizes those who have exemplified the highest standards of the development profession; have demonstrated a quality of leadership that is persuasive, effective, creative, stimulating and is a model for teambuilding; have assisted, advised, motivated and inspired others; and have lead notable fundraising achievements and civic involvement. Davidson became the CEO of the Seattle Aquarium in 2010, after serving as CEO of the Seattle Aquarium Society since 2002. Davidson guided a repositioning of the Aquarium Society including the New Currents Aquarium expansion in 2007, which increased attendance and made Seattle's the eighth largest aquarium and lead to the successful aquarium operating agreement with the city in 2009. Davidson has also held leadership roles to revitalize Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, as Zoological Society board president and later as its Executive Director/CEO. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Central Waterfront Partnerships Committee and Co-chair of its Long-Term Stewardship, Operations, and Maintenance Sub-Committee; is a member of the Elliott Bay Seawall Stakeholders Committee; and past board president of the Northwest Development Officers Association. Nominated by his peers, Davidson has made significant contributions throughout Washington through collaborative and innovative relationships with other nonprofit organizations. His commitment to the field of Development is long-standing and highly regarded. The award will be publicly presented at the NDOA Spring Conference in Bellevue on June 10, 2011.

With almost 900 members, the Northwest Development Officers Association is the largest network of fundraising professionals in the Northwest. NDOA has presented an annual professional achievement award since 1985. Originally known as the Development Officer of the Year Award, it became the NDOA Professional Achievement Award in 1993 to reflect NDOA's commitment to and recognition of professional accomplishments and contributions to the advancement of philanthropy. NDOA's mission is to provide its members and other fundraising professionals with collegial peer support, networking, and comprehensive training opportunities to advance philanthropy and strengthen community.