Keynote Speakers
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Kay Sprinkel Grace, FAFP
There is a universality about Kay’s values approach to philanthropy that spans borders and boundaries. She knows how to convey ideas thoughtfully and clearly, even when working with non-native English speakers. The rapid growth of philanthropy across the globe, inspired by tested American (US and Canadian) practices, is a strong pillar of democracy and civic responsibility. Kay has contributed her philosophy, passion and best practices to an ever-increasing number of organizations and professionals across the globe that are eager to strengthen civil society. She has participated internationally as keynote speaker and workshop leader for conferences in Australia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Republic of Georgia, Italy, Sweden, Great Britain, France, Poland, Russia and, most recently, virtually in Germany. She has presented 17 times at the International Fundraising Congress (IFC) in The Netherlands. As a faculty member of the Museum Leadership Program in Australia she has worked with museum professionals from Australia, New Zealand and neighboring countries. She is a co-creator and facilitator/mentor of Leaders of Tomorrow, a program for strengthening civil society in Central and Eastern Europe now in its sixth year. Web: kaygrace.org In 2020, Kay received the AFP Golden Gate Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Fundraising Professional of the Year Award from AFP Global. Her books are available through Amazon (Beyond Fundraising and High Impact Philanthropy), Hilborn (now publishing Emerson & Church titles) and Amazon (The Ultimate Board Member's Book, Over Goal, The Busy Volunteer's Guide to Fundraising, and Transform Your Board Into a Fundraising Force; and Whit Press (The AAA Way to Fundraising Success - available from whitpress.org or through Kay's website). "The Ultimate Board Members Book" is now available on Audible. |
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Jeff Hall, PhD
Jeffrey C. Hall Consulting Jeffrey Hall, Ph.D., Consultant, received a B.A. in Physics in 1986 from the Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics in 1991 from the Pennsylvania State University. He joined the staff of Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ in 1992 as a postdoctoral research fellow, specializing in stellar astrophysics and the variations of the Sun and sun-like stars. He served from 2010-2024 as the Observatory’s Executive Director. During Jeff’s tenure, the Observatory completed the construction and commissioning of the $53M Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT), and in 2023, the Observatory completed a $53M capital campaign to build the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center (ADC), which opened in November 2024. During this time, Lowell has received well over $100M through University partnerships for access to the LDT, through foundation, corporate, and individual gifts in support of the ADC, and through philanthropic contributions to many other programs. Jeff’s principal avocation is music, and he served from 1992-2024 as an assistant organist at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Flagstaff. He has occasionally performed with orchestras and ensembles, and he enjoys creating synthesizer realizations of various works, including his own ragtime, with his home studio. He enjoys reading, board and video games, and training for and participating in triathlons. Upon his retirement from Lowell in November 2024, Jeff and his wife Schenley relocated to Tucson. They have three grown sons, Jonathan, Benjamin, and Nicholas. Web: Jeffreychall.com/consulting |
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Lisa Actor
Lisa Actor Consulting Lisa Actor, Consultant, has over 30 years of experience in fund development with special expertise in capital campaigns, major gifts, foundation grant writing, and planned giving. She has led small development teams of 2 people and large teams of up to twenty. Lisa has a B.S. in Biology. She began her career with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Her first non-profit position was as Executive Director of a public school foundation. She moved into higher education, working at a small, private university for 19 years, where she rose from a major gift officer to Associate Vice President. Lisa was recruited into the Chief Philanthropy Officer role at Lowell Observatory where she spent nine years and led a successful $53.6 million capital campaign for a new astronomy discovery center. Lisa volunteers on the Fund Development Committee of Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana. She led an all-volunteer campaign resulting in a $1 million endowment for outdoor leadership experiences for girls. She has raised over $250 million during her career. Web: Lisaactor.com |
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Chip Conley
MEA Chip Conley is Co-founder and Executive Chairman of MEA (formerly Modern Elder Academy) and a renowned entrepreneur, best-selling author, and dynamic speaker celebrated for his innovative approach to leadership and hospitality. As the founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, he expanded a single boutique hotel into the second-largest boutique hotel brand in the U.S. In 2013, he joined Airbnb as Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy, mentoring its founders and helping shape its culture during a rapid growth phase. Inspired by his midlife journey, experience at Airbnb, and extensive research and collaboration with thought leaders in the area of aging, Chip co-founded MEA, the world’s first midlife wisdom school. With campuses in Baja and Santa Fe, MEA offers transformative programs to help individuals navigate midlife transitions and cultivate a renewed sense of purpose. A prolific author of several influential books, including Wisdom @ Work and Learning to Love Midlife, Chip continues to inspire and reframe the concept of aging through his writing and keynote speeches. Web: MEAwisdom.com |
Breakout and Power Session Speakers
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Alice Ferris
GoalBusters Consulting Alice L. Ferris, MBA, CFRE, ACFRE, Founding Partner, has more than 30 years of professional fundraising experience, not including her volunteer start at PBS Wisconsin, blowing bubbles onto the set during pledge breaks for the Lawrence Welk Show. Alice specializes in strategic and development planning, campaign and development program assessments, board and organizational training, executive leadership coaching, individual giving, and grant proposal evaluation. She is an advisory board member for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Communications Arts Partners. Alice is also a past chair of the ACFRE Credentialing Board and a former officer of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Global Board. In addition, she served as president of AFP Northern Arizona five times (don’t ask) and is an AFP Master Teacher. In 2020, Alice became the 21st recipient of the AFP Founders’ Medallion, recognizing extraordinary service to the sector. She was the 90th fundraising professional to attain the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) credential and also maintains her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) status, which she obtained in 1999. Alice is also the only three-time honoree of AFP-Northern Arizona Fundraising Professional of the Year. Alice also serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Denver, and represents GoalBusters as an Associate Member of Rogare, the international fundraising think tank. Alice is recognized for her on-air presence on public television and radio pledge drives, and on the national PBS fundraisers such as the original run of Downton Abbey. She also hosts epic Chinese New Year parties, is a slow runner, and is a retired competition ballroom dancer. Web: Goalbusters.net |
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Annagreta Jacobson, GPC
GoalBusters Consulting Annagreta Jacobson, GPC, Consultant/Grants Specialist, has over 20 years of research and writing experience and is well qualified to coordinate the grant process from the pre-award phase of research and proposal development to the post-award phase of program management, monitoring, and reporting. Contributing to the success of GoalBusters clients since 2010, Annagreta’s research and proposal development experience also includes a variety of education, social service, science, and public media projects. She provides a variety of nonprofit organizations with grant-readiness assessments, research on possible funding sources, case development, composing and editing proposals for submission, and written reports on grant use. Annagreta has experience in working with private and corporate foundations, state foundations, and federal grant cycles and has developed a grant-writing strategy focused on concise case development and outcome-based narratives. Annagreta is a member of the Grant Professionals Association and received her nationally accredited Grant Professional Certified credential in 2022. Since 2004, Annagreta and her family have enjoyed living in the Flagstaff community, raising two kids, and pursuing life interests, including residential architectural drafting, hiking, skiing, and teaching yoga. Web: Goalbusters.net |
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Ciara Claraty, MA
Alford Group Ciara Claraty is a consultant with Alford Group, bringing over a decade of experience in strategic planning, change management, organizational development, and executive coaching. She has partnered with nonprofit organizations and Fortune 1000 companies to elevate leadership capabilities, guide teams through transformational change, and strengthen organizational effectiveness. Ciara is known for her ability to facilitate high-impact strategic planning and scenario planning processes that help organizations navigate complexity and prepare for the future. She has trained more than 3,500 professionals globally in diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices, and has supported clients in designing and implementing meaningful DEI strategies. Her expertise in change management ensures that teams are not only aligned around strategy but also equipped to adapt, lead, and thrive through transitions. Web: alford.com |
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Emily Reed, CFRE, CNP
University of Oklahoma Foundation Emily is Executive Director of Advancement – Norman Campus at the University of Oklahoma Foundation. She leads a team of fundraisers supporting multiple academic units. Previously at OUF, she created a team for which she recruited, hired, and trained fundraising professionals new to higher education major gifts fundraising. Before OU, Emily led fundraising and communications for a small social services nonprofit in OKC. Emily was awarded AFP International’s Outstanding Young Professional Award in 2020 and AFP Oklahoma’s Outstanding Fundraiser in 2021. She served on the AFPOK Chapter board for many years including as Chapter President, and has been a CFRE since 2016. She lives in Norman, Oklahoma with her husband and two dogs. Web: OUFoundation.org |
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Frank Velásquez
4 Da Hood Meet Frank Velásquez Jr.: Storyteller Extraordinaire, Social Justice Warrior, and Community Connector! With a heart as big as his vision, Frank dances on the frontlines of change in relentless pursuit of racial and gender equity. Whether he’s dropping knowledge on the conference stage or storytelling behind the scenes, Frank’s passion for social justice is as infectious as his smile. And he creatively connects our stories, preserving the unique flavor of each one like a delicious bowl of gumbo. As Founder of 4 Da Hood and the mastermind behind the Ascending Leaders in Color leadership program, he's forging paths for Peeps of Color to lead with more authenticity, courage, and joy! Because for Frank, advancing equity isn't just a job — it's a movement towards building generational wealth for communities of color to thrive! Web: 4DaHood.com |
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James S. Anderson, CFRE
Goalbusters Consulting James S. Anderson, CFRE, has more than 30 years of sales and sales training experience with local media and national research companies such as Nielsen Media, Simmons, and Scarborough Research. Consistently recognized as a top revenue producer ($30 million+), Jim earned “Sales Executive” and “Negotiator of the Year” awards. Jim specializes in donor psychology, marketing and branding strategy, social media marketing, multimedia production, live stream and online event producing, direct sales and sponsorship training programs, and board and organizational training. Jim frequently supports public radio pledge drives with passionate, entertaining, and compelling on-air appeals coast to coast. Jim currently serves as the immediate past president of AFP Northern Arizona after completing his third term in this volunteer role at the end of 2020. Jim previously served on the AFP International Communications and Marketing Committee and the Committee on Directorship, and is an AFP Faculty Training Academy graduate. In addition, Jim was the 2010 Association of Fundraising Professionals Northern Arizona Fundraising Professional of the Year. He received his Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2013. Jim has an extensive background in media production and has created projects ranging from training videos for 300+ television stations nationwide in the USA to promotional videos for client events. As an instructor at Northern Arizona University, he received superior evaluations from the hundreds of students who participated in his “Communications Analysis” and “Sales, Research, Marketing, and Promotion” classes. Jim speaks Spanish, is an avid photographer, and has more than 120 million views of his photos on Google Maps. He also married his cousin, but it didn’t last. Jim also has a list of “world-famous” (or maybe just infamous) Jim-isms. Web: Goalbusters.net |
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Jennifer Tersigni, CFRE
Raise the Bar Consulting Jennifer M. Tersigni is the founder and CEO of Raise the Bar Consulting, specializing in comprehensive fundraising, organizational alignment, transitional leadership, and interim executive solutions. The proud holder of an unanticipated 25-year fundraising career, Jennifer has helped hundreds of clients, successfully completed scores of capital, endowment, and annual fundraising campaigns, and raised hundreds of millions of dollars in her career. Jennifer enjoys collaborating with leaders to transform organizations, develop new initiatives, build sustainable funding, and make a meaningful impact in the world. Jennifer’s introduction to fundraising began in the Office of the Social Secretary at The White House, where she planned and implemented political and social events for the President and First Lady of the United States. Jennifer is an adjunct instructor at Arizona State University Lodestar Center for Nonprofit Innovation, a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE), a Lifecycle Capacity Consultant, and a graduate of The Third Sector Interim Executives Academy. A first-generation college graduate and holder of bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Arizona, Jennifer held public office, served as a university regent, represented Southern Arizona as a Rotary Fellow in Thailand, was recognized as a 40 Under 40 leader, and has lived and traveled throughout fifty countries (and counting!). She brings cross-cultural experiences to her work and always looks forward to life’s next great adventure. Web: Raisethebarllc.com |
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Jenny Carrillo, CFRE
Alexander Carrillo Consulting When it comes to fund development, non-profit governance, and strategic planning, Jenny Carrillo is a one-women wellspring of insight, knowledge and enthusiasm. With 24 years of non-profit experience, there is perhaps no one more capable at getting right to the core issues, assessing strengths and limitations, identifying challenges and opportunities, and integrating everything into a coherent—and do-able!—plan. Clients value her integrity, forthrightness and fervent support. And with that silver-bullet combination so prized in the non-profit world—a keen intellect and a big heart—Jenny offers solid and perceptive advice to help her clients grow, perform and exceed their expectations. Jenny worked for seven years as an independent consultant before she founded Alexander | Carrillo Consulting with Laura Alexander. Her consulting practice, Beyond Fundraising, says it all. Her prior work included extensive experience in developing and executing effective fundraising plans as well as grant writing and public relations in the following jobs: Director of Development for the Arizona’s Children Association (4 years), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tucson (2 years), and the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation/Shanti Foundation, Tucson (3 years) as well as public relations positions at Up with People in Denver, CO, and Youth Service America in Washington, DC. Jenny holds a Master of Arts in Philanthropy & Development from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. She is also a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), completing the highly respected certification process and demonstrating proficiency of professional practice, performance, education, service and commitment to ethical fundraising. Jenny has served as the President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Southern Arizona Chapter (2005), and was a board member for more than 9 years. In 2006, she was honored as AFP’s Outstanding Fundraising Professional of the Year. Along with Laura, Jenny is a Certified Governance Trainer (CGT) through BoardSource. She is also serves on the Interfaith Community Services (ICS) Community Advisory Committee, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Ben’s Bells Project, and a board member for the Amphi Public Schools Foundation. Her husband, Leo Carrillo, is a 5th-generation Tucsonan with deep roots in the community, and they have two daughters, Quincy and Carson. Web: Do-good-better.com |
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Judith A. Smith, MA, CFRE
Judi Smith brings over four decades of nonprofit experience to her work, having served as an executive director, capital campaign director, planned giving officer, and fundraising consultant. As President of GivingSMITH, she partners with nonprofits to help them engage their donors and develop wise strategies for thoughtful and generous giving. While she speaks on a range of topics within the development field, she is most passionate about coaching organizations in endowment building and charitable gift planning. Judi is a past President of both the Arizona Charitable Gift Planners and the St. Louis Planned Giving Council. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable and is a member of the planned giving advisory council for the Phoenix Zoo. Additionally, she is affiliated with the Central Arizona Estate Planning Council and the Greater Arizona Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Her book, The 72-Hour Planned Giving Starter Program, is available on Amazon. |
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Lana Baldwin, CFRE
Alexander Carrillo Consulting Lana is an experienced nonprofit administrator and fundraising professional with a 20+ year career in the Tucson community. Her expertise spans fundraising, marketing and communications, strategic planning, organizational development, nonprofit mergers and acquisitions, program development, and more. She has a first-hand understanding of the challenges, realities, and rewards of nonprofit work, and helps organizations navigate them and meet their goals with compassion, humor, and a commitment to excellence. Before coming to Alexander | Carrillo Consulting in 2022, Lana served in a variety of nonprofit roles, including over 15 years in executive leadership as Vice President of Philanthropy & Communications for Pima Council on Aging and Development Director for Our Family Services. Lana holds a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). She serves as President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Southern Arizona Chapter. In her work and life, she is deeply committed to the pursuit of equity and inclusion. A native Arizonan originally from Prescott, she came to Tucson to study at the University of Arizona, fell in love with the community, and thirty years later continues to make it her home with her wife Kimberly Ahmadi, a marriage and family therapist, and their border collie Lincoln. Web: Do-good-better.com |
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Laura Alexander, MA, CFRE
Alexander Carrillo Consulting Laura Alexander brings over 30 years of nonprofit experience to her work as co-founder of Alexander Carrillo Consulting. She has served in nearly every nonprofit role—from Executive Director to Development Director to board member—and holds a Master’s in Philanthropy & Development. Laura is a Certified Fund Raising Executive, a Board Source Certified Governance Consultant, and a Master Trainer with AFP. She was named Outstanding Fundraising Professional by AFP Southern Arizona and is widely recognized for her deep knowledge, strategic insight, and commitment to ethical fundraising. Web: Do-good-better.com |
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Laura Amerman, CFRE
Laura has worked in the nonprofit world for nearly 20 years as both an in-house fundraiser and consultant. She received the certified fundraising professional credential (CFRE) in 2012. Laura served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Association of Fundraising Professionals New Jersey Chapter (AFP-NJ) as Chapter Treasurer for eight years; as a member of AFP Global’s Nominating Committee and chaired the Marketing and Awards Committee; she is a founding member of the “AFPeeps,” a group of social media advocates and hi-jinks enjoyers. Laura began her professional career in the field of advertising, and has held positions in corporate communications, healthcare sales, and marketing and training. Before she entered the nonprofit arena in 2005, Laura founded a successful perinatal support services firm as a professional doula and Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. If you watch daytime TV, you may remember her from an episode of Baby Story! Her first role at a nonprofit was as the director a youth leadership and development program in Newark, NJ. Laura holds a degree in Anthropology, Archaeology and Classics, cum laude, from Drew University. She received the Arline Simpson Leadership Award from the New Jersey Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2011, and is a graduate of Bergen LEADS. A Jersey girl for nearly 50 years, she now lives in Midcoast Maine with her family. Her current passions include New Jersey Devils and UMaine Black Bears Hockey, lazy gardening, excessive reading, and pretending to train for a 5k. |
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Lisa Robinson, CFRE
Alexander Carrillo Lisa Robinson is a seasoned nonprofit leader with extensive experience in fundraising strategy, grant writing, and organizational development. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and is a certified AFP Faculty Trainer. Lisa has served as both an Executive Director and Development Director, bringing a deep understanding of nonprofit operations to her consulting work at Alexander Carrillo and is known for her thoughtful approach to building sustainable fundraising programs and board engagement. She was named Outstanding Fundraising Executive of the Year by AFP Southern Arizona in 2022. Web: Do-good-better.com |
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Richard Tollefson
The Phoenix Philanthropy Group Richard Tollefson established Phoenix Philanthropy in 2004 after a successful career in fundraising and advancement management. Prior to starting Phoenix Philanthropy, Richard served as vice president for institutional advancement at his alma mater, Thunderbird School of Global Management. At Thunderbird, he managed two comprehensive fundraising campaigns, raising funds and managing constituent engagement programs in 26 countries, including a commitment that became the largest naming gift to a college or school of business in the world at that time. Richard transformed Thunderbird’s alumni association into a global professional association, created a corporate relationship management structure to generate revenue and manage relationships across all parts of the institution, and managed conferences, seminars, and events around the world. Throughout his career, Richard successfully guided many other acclaimed arts, culture, and educational institutions, including Master Chorale of Orange County, The Joffrey Ballet, the University of Arizona, and Arizona State University. Web: Phoenixphilanthropy.com |
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T. Clay Buck, CFRE
Next River Fundraising Clay Buck (the “T.” is silent) has been raising money in the nonprofit world for more than 30 years. He’s done just about every job in fundraising—from writing grants in a windowless office to leading entire development teams—and he brings that full-spectrum experience to every client, classroom, and keynote. Today, he’s the Founder and Principal of Next River Fundraising Strategies, where he helps nonprofits develop generosity with data-informed strategy, system-level thinking, and storytelling that actually connects. He’s also the creator of The Fundraiser’s Planner, and co-host of the Fundraising is Funny podcast. Clay holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MFA from Michigan State University. He’s a CFRE, a certified Master Trainer and Coach, and holds a Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology (with Distinction) from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy. He teaches fundraising, strategy, and storytelling at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he was recognized with the Outstanding Faculty Award. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from AFP Las Vegas—though he insists he’s still got plenty of mileage left. He lives in Las Vegas with his husband and two Golden Retrievers who are terrible at obedience but excellent at donor-centric asking—especially when food is involved. Web: Nextriverfundraising.com |