Speakers

Jamie has over 15 years of experience working with nonprofits, foundations, and family offices. In her current position, she leads a team of advisors who provide clients with personalized advice, thought leadership, and learning opportunities to help meet their financial and philanthropic goals. With Paul G. Allen’s philanthropy team at Vulcan, she identified, built, and managed high-impact partnerships. At the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Jamie managed partnerships with philanthropists who co-funded projects with the foundation. She also served as Special Assistant to the President of the Global Policy & Advocacy division at the Gates Foundation.

Greg serves as Managing Partner at CCS Fundraising, the leading strategic consulting and fundraising management firm to nonprofit organizations worldwide.
Greg leads the Atlantic Region, overseeing its Philadelphia, Baltimore, DC, and Miami offices as well as its Latin America & Caribbean markets. A member of the firm’s Executive Leadership Team and its Board of Directors, Greg plays a central role in advancing CCS’s vision, stewarding its growth, and ensuring excellence across employee experience, client partnerships, industry leadership, and financial performance.
Greg brings nearly twenty-five years of global fundraising and philanthropic experience to his leadership role.

As a Senior Principal Product Marketing Manager at Blackbaud, Kathryn leverages 20+ years of experience
in CRM, marketing, fundraising technology, and digital transformation to create and execute go-to-market strategies that drive product adoption in the nonprofit, advocacy, healthcare, and higher education sectors. She focuses on the intersection of people and technology, understanding human needs and positioning technology solutions - that's why you'll see her specializing in customer marketing, roadmap communications, developer marketing, product launch communications, and internal readiness.

Conner Hampton is a dynamic national keynote speaker, business leader, and seasoned expert with an extensive background in collegiate coaching, non-profit leadership, fundraising, and consulting. Known for his ability to inspire and simplify complex concepts, Conner's career is defined by his rapid ascension and transformative impact across industries.

Ruth K. Hansen, Ph.D. is an associate professor of nonprofit management and director of the Institute for Nonprofit Management Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Her research explores the intersection of theory and practice in fundraising - how we ask, who gives to whom, and why it matters. A former board member of AFP-Chicago, she currently serves as Chair of the Research Council for the AFP Foundation for Fundraising. Recognized for her contributions to the field, Dr. Hansen was named a 2024 AFP Early Career Emerging Scholar alongside Dr. Lauren Dula.

Megan Harrison is the Development Associate at Families Moving Forward in Durham, North Carolina, the primary emergency shelter serving families with children in Durham County. She leads donor engagement, manages the organization’s CRM, and develops strategic communications that connect supporters to the impact of programs addressing family homelessness. Megan holds a Leadership in the Public Sector degree from North Carolina State University and previously spent nearly 15 years as a project manager and manager with FedEx.

Beth Hatcher is the Principal and CEO of Beth Interactive, a digital-first philanthropy and communications agency in Chicago. With nearly 20 years of experience, she specializes in crafting multi-channel fundraising and communications strategies for healthcare foundations, higher ed institutions and non-profits.

A passionate storyteller, data nerd and accomplished presenter, Beth prides herself on bringing best practices to her non-profit clients nationwide—with the goals of engaging donors and increasing giving through intelligent strategies, thoughtful implementation and full-service support. She received a 40 Under 40 Award from the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy in 2022.

Chessie Hayes, Fundraising Consultant, has been an active member of the fundraising community and creates thoughtful, strategic plans to enhance donor engagement. She received the award for AFP International Outstanding Young Professionals, Memphis’ Top 20 Under 30, and Greater Memphis Chamber’s Young Memphis Class of 2020 award. She serves as the President for AFP Memphis and the Emerging Leaders Initiative’s Taskforce Committee Chair for AFP Global. Chessie enjoys focusing on and speaking internationally about fundraising trends for young professionals working for the fundraising sector, advocating for yourself for better employee benefits and being your own champion!

Megan Hayward serves as the National Director of Development at the Social Justice Learning Institute. With more than 15 years of resource development experience across Southern California, Megan has been instrumental in leading revenue-generating initiatives for a range of charitable and advocacy organizations. Megan’s journey is rooted in witnessing the impact of systemic barriers on young people, which catalyzed her commitment to co-creating solutions that dismantle inequitable systems and increase philanthropic capital into communities of color. Megan earned her B.A. in English Literature from the University of San Diego, where she remains an active member of the Black Alumni Network.

Robbe Healey MBA, ACFRE, FAFP, Founding Member of Aurora Philanthropic Consulting, brings more than four decades of diverse experience, insight, and success to philanthropic fundraising consulting, strategic planning, board governance and non-profit organization management. Robbe is a past AFP Board and Ethics Committee Chair recognized locally and internationally. She was a member of the inaugural class of AFP Master Trainers (Facilitators), having earned the designation in 2000. She is an adjunct member of the Master of Public Administration faculty at Villanova University and member of the MA in Philanthropy and Development program faculty at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

Tom Heidtke is the Vice President of Sales at Appeal Printing, bringing 28 years of experience in the print and mailing services industry. A seasoned professional, Tom is known for his ability to drive results and build lasting client relationships. Specializing in the nonprofit sector, he leverages his expertise to develop fundraising campaigns that maximize donor engagement and campaign performance. With a strategic mindset and hands-on operational knowledge, Tom is dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations achieve their outreach and development goals.

For 4 decades to packed rooms, Marcy Heim shares mindset and methods that inspire generosity and transformation. Bold, funny, smart, caring —a singer—Marcy has had thousands of major donor conversations, securing millions and bringing JOY. Her team at UW–Madison achieved goal in the $1.8B Create the Future campaign. As The Artful Asker, her coaching and keynotes empower smaller-NFPs to grow from six-figures to $20M+. A Speaking, CFRE, CASE & AFP honoree, her book, Empowering Your Board, is a go-to. Join in her songs, learn her simple ask, and know that “Something good is going to happen to me!”

Dr. H. Daniel Heist is an Assistant Professor of Nonprofit Management and Social Impact at Brigham Young University. He researches philanthropy, charitable giving, and volunteering. Dr. Heist is a leading expert on donor-advised fund research and co-founder of the Donor-Advised Fund Research Collaborative. Before receiving a Ph.D. in Social Welfare from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Heist spent nine years as a professional fundraiser. Dr. Heist earned a Master’s degree in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI and was a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). His professional experience informs his research on donor behavior.

Maya Hemachandra’s career in the social sector spans more than 20 years, raising millions of dollars in philanthropic and volunteer support for community organizations. She is the owner of Sambar Nonprofit Solutions which helps nonprofit organizations align their leadership and fundraising with their values.

Maya also shares her experience with future leaders through the University of Washington’s Certificate in Fundraising Management program and as a volunteer mentor. She holds an MPA from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, an Intentional Philanthropy Advisor (IPA) certificate from Daylight Advisors and a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation.

Jay Henslee is a Vice President and District Manager at U.S. Bank, leading retail banking operations across the Greater San Diego market. With nearly two decades at the organization, he is known for a people-first leadership style that connects community impact with business performance. Jay also serves as President of the San Diego Performing Arts League, supporting more than 70 arts organizations and advancing access to the arts. A recognized community advocate, he has been named among San Diego’s Top 500 Most Influential People and a Top LGBTQ+ Leader of Influence.