“If I can do it, so can you!” – day 1 at the Institute of Fundraising North East Conference

I do like Newcastle. Everyone is so friendly, and the bridges over the Tyne are such a great sight when you arrive by train. But anyway. This isn't a TripAdvisor review. It's just that I jumped at the chance of coming to the Institute of Fundraising North East region's conference as a delegate, continuing my mini-tour of regional fundraising conferences. This, here, is my write up of day 1. The keynote speaker, Professor Sue Black, was wonderful. Wise, inspirational, self-effacing, open, and warm. "If I can do it, so can you." "I was quite geeky from an early age." Kicking off #NEFRConf19 is Professor Sue Black, talking about her inspiring journey to being one of the top women in tech in Europe. "On one day in 2009 I was the most retweeted person in the world." Professor Black was instrumental in the successful campaign to save the internationally important codebreaking site Bletchley Park. "I thought, if I put together a programme to teach seven year olds, adults can do it too. But I noticed the mums were hesitant. I realised getting the mums on board will help inspire the kids too." Professor Black on setting up #techmums. What an inspirational, wise and warm #NEFRConf19 conference opener from Professor Black! I loved her honest story about how she became one of the top women in tech in Europe. It was about finding your passion, and being ready to back yourself in pursuit of it. Professor Black was a leading figure in the campaign