This Woman Knows How to Take Your Money

Abra Annes doesn’t get uncomfortable. The emotion evoked by first dates, small talk, and personal questions doesn’t plague a woman who’s made a career asking strangers for huge sums of money while wearing head-to-toe floral print.

“A big piece of my job is embracing the awkward silences of fundraising,” the 35-year-old Californian says. “You have to ask, and then just shut your mouth and enjoy the silence. The silence settles and it can be heavy—and sometimes people get so uncomfortable that they’ll give more to fill the void. I enjoy the silence.”