Dr. Pamala Wiepking discusses various approaches to understanding the motivations of individual donors, such as the eight mechanisms of charitable giving and the "Taste of Charity" model. By understanding a potential donor's lived experience and motivations for giving, fundraisers can develop a deeper relationship with them by personalizing communication and engaging with them according to their interests and preferences. This intentional process requires knowledge and understanding of individual donors to create conversations that get them excited about the fundraising process.