Season 5 Episode 2: Evolving Your P2P Strategy Alongside Your Community with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Robin Paterson

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Robin Paterson joins the podcast to discuss how medical breakthroughs are reshaping peer-to-peer fundraising strategies.

When life-saving treatments transform a terminal diagnosis into a chronic condition, everything changes — including how communities fundraise. The peer-to-peer landscape isn’t just evolving with technology and trends; it’s being reshaped by the very success of the causes we support.

In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Robin Paterson, Senior Director of Special Events and Peer-to-Peer Campaigns at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. With nearly two decades of nonprofit experience, Robin shares how medical advances that have extended and improved lives for CF patients have fundamentally shifted community engagement, fundraising motivations, and program strategies.

As CF patients live longer, healthier lives, their relationship with fundraising has evolved from urgent survival to long-term advocacy. Robin discusses how this transformation has influenced everything from campaign messaging to participant recruitment, and how her team is adapting to serve a community that includes thriving teens with CF — a generation that wasn’t expected to exist.

Together, we’ll explore:

– How medical breakthroughs change fundraising psychology and community dynamics
– Strategic approaches to messaging when your cause story evolves from crisis to hope
– Practical methods for engaging emerging demographics, including teen patients as active fundraisers

Mentioned Links
Great Strides
cff.org

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Podcast Guest

Robin Paterson is a dynamic and mission-driven nonprofit leader with nearly two decades of experience in special events fundraising, peer-to-peer campaigns, and volunteer engagement. Known for her strategic mindset and collaborative approach, Robin has led successful fundraising initiatives that elevate donor experiences, strengthen community ties, and drive meaningful impact.

As Senior Director of Special Events and Peer-to-Peer Campaigns at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Robin oversees the national special events portfolio and partners with chapters across the country to innovate and grow signature fundraising programs. She champions creativity, inclusion, and sustainability — guiding teams to think differently, plan with purpose, and connect authentically with supporters.

Robin is deeply committed to empowering others, building strong partnerships, and advancing the Foundation’s mission to cure cystic fibrosis and ensure all people with CF can live long, fulfilling lives.

Podcast Host

Marcie Maxwell is the CEO of the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum. Marcie joined the P2PPF team in 2021 after 15+ years as a front-line fundraiser, national events & campaign director and fundraising consultant. In her role, Marcie serves as a primary thought leader and community builder for the peer-to-peer fundraising industry. She started her career in fundraising with 10+ years at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she ran local fundraising events, managed national volunteer partnerships and launched their national walk program. She then spent 5+ years as the Director of Chapter Fundraising Events with Make-A-Wish America, where she provided strategy, support & training to 60 chapters on the full event portfolio – walks, school fundraising, an endurance hiking program and galas & social events. In her most recent role at Charity Dynamics, she partnered with clients to provide strategic guidance and analysis to help them optimize and grow their peer-to-peer fundraising events & campaigns. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree in Ethical Leadership from Christian Brothers University. She resides in Memphis, TN.