This month, we feature Whitsundays Chamber member Sue Birch, a business consultant specialising in fundraising operations, who relocated from Brisbane to Airlie Beach in April 2024.
Since founding Sue Birch Consulting in 2020, Sue has helped not-for-profit organisations transform their operational capability by enhancing people, processes, technology, and data management.
With over 15 years in the not-for-profit sector, Sue recognised a gap in the market. “Many consulting firms focus on fundraising strategy or isolated aspects like technology, but I saw that organisations were falling short of their fundraising potential due to weak processes, underused technology, and poor-quality data,” Sue explains. By specialising in operational transformation, she provides comprehensive support not found elsewhere — from best-practice advice to coaching, mentoring, and hands-on implementation.
Industry trends are rapidly evolving, particularly around data quality, cyber security, and AI. Organisations are increasingly aware that strong data management underpins effective fundraising and safe technology use. “AI is becoming an exciting tool for fundraising, but its effectiveness depends entirely on high-quality data,” Sue says. To stay ahead, she attended a global data management conference in the USA in 2025, gaining fresh insights into these trends.
Looking to the future, Sue is considering expanding her services beyond not-for-profits into government and private sectors where values align. “My skills are highly transferable and could benefit a broader range of organisations,” she notes.
Sue’s advice for other business owners:
Live your life with intent and purpose.
Ensure your work aligns with your values.
Be selective about whose advice you follow.
As a Chamber member, Sue values staying connected with the region’s business community. “It’s a great way to know what’s happening locally and get involved where I can add value.
Learn more about Sue Birch Consulting: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-birch/
Sue Birch. Photo supplied.
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