Speakers

a man with glasses, Jamais Cascio, looking at the camera

Opening Keynote Speaker: Jamais Cascio

Thriving in a Chaotic Future

Futurist Jamais Cascio will help AFP frame the future, so we can be more future-ready and more able to make our preferred futures possible. Jamais will introduce the BANI Future: Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible—and he will show us how to flip it positive by being Bendable, Attentive, Neuorflexible, and Interconnected. The future will be increasingly chaotic, but we can thrive if we frame the future accurately and spark better possibilities.

 

a collage of four closing keynote speakers

Closing Keynote: The Connections that Sustain Our Work

Four succinct yet powerful messages from thought-leaders on:

  • Relational Leadership (Tiffany Quivers, EdM)
  • Generosity (Cherian Koshy, CFRE, CAP)
  • Personal Relationships and Advocacy (Ben Mohler, M.A., CFRE, ACFRE)
  • Gratitude (Lynne M. Wester)

All Speakers

Please note that all speakers and sessions are subject to change, and that additional speakers may be added at a later date. Each speaker provides information about themselves.
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Roy Jones

President
Fit Fundraising
Roy Jones

Roy Jones is on the board of directors at the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) of Tampa Bay. He spearheads the Government Affairs Committee. He has more than 35 years of fundraising and marketing experience. He published an award-winning book on major gift development called: Rainmaking – The Fundraiser’s Guide To Landing Big Gifts. He is recognized professionally as one of the top relationship managers in the country.

Roy Jones formerly served as Vice President of Development at Mercy Ships International in Garden Valley, TX.

Session(s)

Strategic
April 26 10:30am11:30am

Education track

Ethics, Accountability and Professionalism

Axel Kaban

Director of Analytics & Technology
Whole Whale
Axel Kaban

Axel is the head of the Technology, Analytics, and Optimization department at Whole Whale, a digital agency that leverages data and tech to increase the impact of nonprofits and for-good companies. With over 5 years at the agency, he's worked between analytics configurations, configuration strategy, database structuring and engineering, AI implementation best practices, consent & digital privacy implementations, as well as people and client management. A proponent for education, security, and flexibility in future technologies, Axel is very excited to share what Whole Whale has been working on to help nonprofits have a stake in this technology race.

Session(s)

Introductory/Foundational
April 27 2:25pm2:45pm

Education track

Ethics, Accountability and Professionalism

Nalini Kale, CSPG

Associate Director, Legacy Giving & Endowment
KQED
Nalini Kale

Nalini Kale brings over seven years of nonprofit experience to her role as the Associate Director of Legacy Giving and Endowment at KQED. At KQED, she uses her experience in relationship management and marketing to raise funds for KQED’s Endowment. Nalini managed the Legacy Challenge, which raised over $10 million in gift commitments. Before KQED, Nalini worked on fundraising campaigns and events in the education sector. Nalini has a BA from UC Santa Barbara in Economics and Mathematics and is an MBA Candidate at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. She is also a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG).

Session(s)

Introductory/Foundational
April 27 10:45am11:45am

Education track

Leadership and Management

Yash Kandula

Solution Engineer
Esri
Yash Kandula

Yash Kandula is a Solution Engineer on Esri’s International team, based in Washington, D.C. She began her journey with Esri as a summer intern in May 2022 and now supports a diverse range of customers. Yash primarily works with nonprofits— cultural organizations, gardens, and food banks—helping them leverage mapping to advance their missions. She also supports public policy clients, including U.S. House and Senate members. Yash holds a BA in Geography and GIS certificate from the Univ. of Mary Washington. You can find her outside on walks, going to dance class, or reading from her kindle at local coffee shops.

Session(s)

Introductory/Foundational
April 27 12:15pm12:45pm

Education track

Current and Prospective Donor Research

Claire Kerr

Director
Care2
Claire Kerr

Claire is a nonprofit veteran who has worked for organizations in economic development, education, and fundraising sectors. At Care2, she works with charities and nonprofits as they use digital channels to acquire new supporters. She has presented online, social and mobile fundraising best practices at conferences around the world, including events for AFP, Bridge, NTEN and AHP. Claire teaches ‘Digital Strategies for Nonprofit Organizations’ at George Brown College. She has a BA from the University of Waterloo and is completing her M.Ed Community Development & Adult Education at the University of Toronto.

Session(s)

Applied
April 26 9:00am10:00am

Education track

Current and Prospective Donor Research

Janine Kewming, EMFIA

National Head of Fundraising
The Salvation Army (Australia)
Janine Kewming

Janine is the National Head of Fundraising at The Salvation Army Australia, where she has grown overall fundraising revenue by 18% over 6 years from $135 million to $160 million, and a total revenue contribution of $1billion over 6 years.

She has over 20 years executive and senior leadership experience with expertise in sales, marketing, philanthropy and corporate partnerships.

Prior to starting her current role with The Salvation Army Janine held the role of Chief of Private Funding at World Vision Australia. And before this she was the Director of Marketing and Fundraising at The Lighthouse Foundation.

Session(s)

Applied
April 27 1:45pm2:45pm

Education track

Current and Prospective Donor Research

Muhi Khwaja, CFRE, MA, AFP Certified Facilitator (formerly AFP Master Trainer)

Co-Founder, President & CEO
American Musiim Community Foundation
Muhi Khwaja

Earning a Bachelor’s in History and Psychology from the University of Michigan in 2009, Muhi
Khwaja didn’t know what to do until the summer before graduating. The Development Summer
Internship Program at the University of Michigan sparked an interest in fundraising (development)
as a career. After working with several nonprofit organizations, he earned his Master’s in Public
Administration in 2013, from U-M, specializing in nonprofit management. Muhi has over 15 years of
nonprofit work and fundraising experience as a one-person development team to a Chief
Development Officer.

Muhi serves as the Co-Founder, President & CEO of American Muslim Community Foundation.

Session(s)

Strategic
April 27 3:15pm4:15pm

Education track

Relationship Building

Alex Kim, MA, NPLM

Chief Development Officer
KPBS
Alex Kim

Alex Kim, MA, NPLM, is the Chief Development Officer at KPBS, where he leads philanthropic strategy, community outreach, and foundation support. With over two decades of experience in the San Diego nonprofit sector, he previously held key development roles at Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation and San Diego State University’s College of Arts and Letters. His leadership focuses on building donor relationships and securing major gifts for regional initiatives. Alex earned a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from San Diego State University.

Session(s)

April 27 10:45am11:45am

Education track

Leadership and Management

Mike Kinney, CFRE

VP, Donor Systems & Engagement
Mike Kinney

Mike Kinney is a nonprofit strategist working at the intersection of fundraising, technology, and human
connection. As Vice President of Donor Systems & Engagement at Children’s Miracle Network, he leads
enterprise platforms and multichannel engagement strategies that reach millions of supporters each year.
Previously, Mike led national program strategy for peer-to-peer communities like Extra Life and Dance
Marathon, fueling more than $200 million in participant-driven fundraising. Drawing on deep experience in
engagement, stewardship, and retention, he now oversees the end-to-end donor lifecycle at Children’s
Miracle Network—ensuring every interaction builds trust, value, and long-term impact.

Session(s)

Applied
April 27 8:30am9:30am

Education track

Current and Prospective Donor Research
Introductory/Foundational
April 26 9:00am10:00am

Education track

Current and Prospective Donor Research

Audrey Kintzi, ACFRE, AFP Certified Facilitator (formerly AFP Master Trainer), FAFP

Vice President, Emerita for Advancement and Executive Director of the M. A.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Audrey Kintzi

Audrey Kintzi is the Vice President, Emerita for Advancement and the Executive Director of the M. A. in Philanthropy and Development Program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Ms. Kintzi has been working in the development field for over 35 years and is a certified AFP Master Trainer and holds a Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology (with Distinction) from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy. Most recently Audrey was named a 2023 Distinguished Fellow by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Session(s)

Strategic
April 27 3:15pm4:15pm

Education track

Leadership and Management

Karin Kirchoff, MA

President
K2D Strategies
Karin Kirchoff

Karin is the founder and president of K2D Strategies and the immediate past President of DMAW. For more than 30 years, Karin has been implementing dynamic and forward-thinking, multichannel direct marketing programs for causes that make the world a better place. She has helped to generate tens of millions for animal welfare and environmental causes, advocacy programs focused on women’s rights, LGBTQ equality, and children; and social service causes that help the people and communities most in need. She holds two Bachelor’s degrees from Marymount University (political science and philosophy).

Session(s)

Applied
April 28 10:00am11:00am

Education track

Current and Prospective Donor Research

Jordan Kirkbride

Grant Specialist
Wastyn & Associates
Jordan Kirkbride

Jordan Kirkbride is a Grant Specialist at Wastyn & Associates, where she partners with nonprofits to secure funding through data-driven, empowering storytelling. A Quad Cities native and Augustana College graduate with degrees in Art History and French, she previously served as Executive Director of Living Proof Exhibit, supporting individuals impacted by cancer through the arts. Jordan holds a Certificate in Fundraising from the Lilly School of Philanthropy and brings expertise in grant writing, strategy, and donor engagement. She serves on the boards of AFP Quad Cities and New Kingdom Trailriders, advancing equity-focused philanthropy across her community.

Session(s)

Applied
April 27 10:45am11:45am

Education track

Securing the Gift

Brianna Klink

COO
Abeja Solutions
Brianna Klink

Brianna Klink is the COO of Abeja Solutions, a women-owned direct mail fundraising company, and co-author of “How to Fundraise by Mail: A Digital Native’s Guide.” She is passionate about helping nonprofits build sustainable, data-informed fundraising programs. A USPS mail design professional (MDP) and certified nonprofit professional (CNP), Brianna loves crunching data, building templates, and fine-tuning processes so nonprofits can do more of what works with less stress. She has 20 years of experience in organizational development, multi-media production, and database management. As a veteran improv comedienne, Brianna uses her skills to help clients create healthier, more inclusive teams.

Session(s)

Applied
April 27 8:30am9:30am

Education track

Securing the Gift

Cherian Koshy

Vice President
Kindsight
Cherian Koshy

Cherian Koshy, CFRE, CAP, is a globally recognized expert in strategy, leadership, and innovation. He authored Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision-Making, a USA Today bestseller.

As a keynote speaker, Cherian blends neuroscience, behavioral science, and real-world experience to help organizations inspire generosity ethically and lead with clarity.

He founded NonprofitOS, which Kindsight acquired and where he is Vice President. He is treasurer of the AFP global board. His insights are featured in Fast Company, Forbes, and CEOWorld.

Cherian’s work at the intersection of ethics, technology, and philanthropy positions him as a trusted voice shaping the future of social impact.

Session(s)

Applied
April 27 4:00pm4:30pm

Education track

Current and Prospective Donor Research
Applied
April 26 10:30am11:30am

Education track

Relationship Building

Olga Krochak, CFRE, MA

Principal/ Founder
4D Philanthropy
Olga Krochak

Olga Krochak, CFRE, is a fundraising strategist specializing in major gifts, sponsorships, and campaign development. As founder of 4D Philanthropy, she advises organizations on building sustainable revenue and strengthening donor engagement. With over a decade of experience across in-house leadership and consulting, Olga focuses on organizational readiness and the systems required for fundraising success. She is a CFRE Ambassador, holds a CFRE designation and an MA in English from the University of Calgary, is a former AFP Canada Board Member, and received the 2022 Alberta Women’s Newcomer Impact Award for her community contributions.

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