Siskin Children’s Institute Welcomes New Development Officer for Annual Giving, Strengthening Philanthropy
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Siskin Children’s Institute is pleased to announce the addition of Sami Lord as the organization’s new Development Officer for Annual Giving. In this role, Lord will lead annual fundraising initiatives, donor engagement, and community partnerships that advance Siskin’s mission of improving the quality of life for children with special needs and their families.
Lord will work closely with Director of Development Ashley Wolfe Evans to strengthen community support and enhance the Institute’s fundraising efforts. Together, they will focus on rebuilding Siskin’s annual giving programs and reconnecting with the people who have shaped Siskin’s legacy.
“I’m honored to join Siskin Children’s Institute and contribute to the incredible work being done for children and families across our community,” said Lord. “I look forward to collaborating with Ashley and the team to expand our impact and continue strengthening support for our mission.”
Evans said, “Sami Lord is a gifted storyteller and will showcase the incredible dedication of our team to Siskin kids. Stay tuned for exciting opportunities to get involved and be part of the Siskin story again!”
Before joining Siskin, Lord served as the Director of Annual Giving at the Erlanger Foundation, where she oversaw all annual giving programs, including Employee Giving, Physician Giving, and Giving Societies. In that role, she managed donor engagement strategies, coordinated special giving initiatives, and cultivated a culture of philanthropy among employees, physicians, and community partners. She also worked closely with the marketing team to develop and implement integrated fundraising campaigns that increased donor participation and awareness of the hospital’s mission.
A proud graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Lord earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing in 2019 and her Master of Business Administration in 2024.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sami to the Siskin team,” said Don Mueller, President and CEO of Siskin Children’s Institute. “Her strong background in stakeholder engagement and her passion for connecting people to meaningful causes make her a wonderful addition to our Philanthropy team.”
For more than 75 years, Siskin Children’s Institute has provided diagnostic, therapeutic, and family support services for children with special needs and their families. The addition of Lord to the administrative team reinforces the organization’s commitment to sustaining and expanding its life-changing programs.
