Speakers

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.
Filter

Abby Adair

Director of Development
Pope Francis Center
Abby Adair

Abby Adair serves as Director of Development for Pope Francis Center in Detroit, where she leads fundraising strategy in support of comprehensive services for individuals experiencing homelessness. In her leadership role, Abby oversees donor engagement, campaign strategy, and relationship development in a rapidly evolving nonprofit environment.
As an emerging leader in the sector, Abby brings clarity, courage, and innovation to conversations about power, voice, and shared authority within development teams. She represents the next generation of nonprofit leadership—professionals who are reshaping how collaboration, inclusion, and accountability function inside organizations.

Hannah Berger, CFRE, MPA

President, The Philanthropy Coach
The Philanthropy Coach, LLC
Hannah Berger

Hannah provides coaching and consulting that is derived from 20+ years of experience as a professional fundraiser, non-profit executive, campaign consultant and board member. After a decade of “side hustle” consulting while in senior Development roles, Hannah founded The Philanthropy Coach - a boutique firm that empowers, trains and connects to change makers to permanently improve fundraising. Hannah has proudly supported dozens of nonprofit organizations in raising more than $150M, specializing in major expansion campaigns, board recruitment and development, program restructuring initiatives and the creation of strategic development plans.

Crystal Berry

Head of Strategic Accounts and Partnerships
BetterWorld
Crystal Berry

Crystal Berry is the Head of Strategic Accounts and Partnerships at BetterWorld, where she leads national system partnerships, strategic accounts, and growth efforts across key sectors. She brings a deep understanding of advancement and the day-to-day realities of building sustainable fundraising programs.
Previously, she served as EVP of Business Development and Marketing at the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and oversaw shared-services advancement for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sacramento.

Amelia Bird

Consultant
Next Day Animations
Amelia Bird

Amelia Bird is a fundraising consultant and creative strategist who helps mission-driven organizations tell powerful, ethical stories. With15 years in nonprofit leadership, she raised over $5 million for food systems initiatives in New Orleans. Now with Agora Consulting and Next Day Animations, she supports nonprofits through strategic fundraising and storytelling. Amelia brings a background in nonfiction writing and design to her work, ensuring communications are both visually compelling and clear. She holds an MFA in Nonfiction Writing and Book Arts from the University of Iowa and is passionate about aligning messaging with values to drive impact.

Tami Bohannon, CFRE

President and CEO
AllThrive 365
Tami Bohannon

Tami is the first woman to lead AllThrive 365 in its 50-year history. Since 2022, she has championed programs that tackle Arizona’s most pressing challenges in health, housing, hunger, and caregiving. She brings 30+ years of nonprofit leadership from Catholic Charities, Ryan House, and Boys Hope Girls Hope. A Certified Fund Raising Executive, Tami also serves on statewide leadership councils for AARP Arizona, Arizona LeadingAge, and Governor-appointed committees. In 2024, she was named a Phoenix Business Journal Most Admired Leader and received the Virginia G. Piper Fellowship in 2025.

Naquana Borrero, CFRE, CCLA

Bella Vita Consulting Group
Bella Vita Consulting Group
Naquana Borrero

Naquana Borrero, CFRE, CCLA is a longtime nonprofit practitioner, executive leader, and fundraising strategist with more than 15 years of experience serving in leadership roles across housing justice, legal services, and arts organizations, where she has raised more than $45 million in philanthropic investment. She is the Founder Bella Vita Consulting Group, where she advises nonprofits on fundraising strategy, organizational leadership, and cross-cultural and intergenerational philanthropic strategies. Naquana is Immediate Past President of the AFP Professionals Greater Arizona Chapter and currently serves as 2nd VP of Finance and Fund Development for National Coalition of 100 Black Women Phoenix Chapter.

Marci Bradley, CFRE

CEO
Marci Bradley Consulting
Marci Bradley

Jody Braunig, CFRE, LMSW

Director of Development
At The Well
Jody Braunig

Jody Braunig, CFRE, is a nonprofit development leader with over 20 years of experience building fundraising systems, securing multi-million-dollar revenue, and strengthening board and donor engagement. She specializes in translating strategy into actionable fundraising infrastructure, helping organizations move from reactive fundraising to disciplined, data-driven development leadership. Jody is an AFP member, LMSW, CFRE, ACFRE Candidate.

Erika Burnett, MEd

Executive Director
The Village
Erika Burnett

A Midwest native, forging deep roots in the South, Erika R. Burnett serves as Executive Director for The Village, an impact incubator supporting leaders and strengthening organizations. Undergirded by her role as Co-Conspirator for Women of Color Collaborative, Erika embodies a commitment to inspiring professionals, deepening impact, and challenging the status quo while advocating, equipping, and resourcing communities. Erika received her B.A. from Tennessee State University and her M.Ed. in Community Development Action from Vanderbilt University. She is a proud AmeriCorps, & New Leaders Council Alum who has been committed to the nonprofit sector for nearly 20 years.

Jennifer Bushinger-Ortiz, CFRE, ACNP

Development Director
Move For Hunger
Jennifer Bushinger-Ortiz

Celeste Carlson, MBA

CEO / Founder
Growing Good Consulting
Celeste Carlson

Celeste Carlson is a nonprofit consultant and founder of Growing Good Consulting and BoardSpark, specializing in board development, fundraising leadership, and organizational capacity‑building. She has more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including nearly a decade as a community foundation program officer partnering with organizations across urban and rural communities. Celeste now works with executive directors, fundraisers, and boards to strengthen governance and build practical, no‑ask fundraising systems that fit small shops and tight‑knit communities. She holds an MBA and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management.

Lisa Chmiola, CFRE, MS, CSP

Director of Legacy & Gift Planning
Children’s Medical Center Foundation
Lisa Chmiola

Lisa M. Chmiola, M.S., CFRE, CSPG has 24 years of experience in philanthropic development. Currently the Director of Legacy & Gift Planning for Children’s Medical Center Foundation in Dallas, she has served in major gifts and gift planning roles in education (public and private) and religious institutions, following initial career experience in event-based philanthropy. She previously served as the Chief Fablanthropist for Fablanthropy, providing consulting, training, and coaching services, particularly on legacy giving strategies.

An AFP Certified Facilitator since 2014 and TEDx speaker, Lisa has presented at AFP International Conferences (including as a 2025 Closing Keynote).

Nina Cogan

Talent Consultant at DRG
DRG Nonprofit Executive Search and Consulting Firm
Nina Cogan

Nina (she/her) is a Talent Consultant at DRG with experience in development roles at organizations including Jewish National Fund and the Aspen Institute. She has also served in lay leadership roles on the National and Washington, DC JNFuture boards and the Gather DC Advisory Council, giving her valuable insight from both staff and board perspectives. Nina is known for running highly organized search processes and ensuring candidates are authentic, mission-aligned leaders. Originally from Havre de Grace, MD, she holds a dual degree in Fine Art and Mass Communications from Towson University and now lives in Washington, DC.

Melinda "Mindy" Collins, MBA

Chief Philanthropy & External Affairs Officer
Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego
Melinda "Mindy" Collins

Mindy Collins joined the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego in 2017 and serves as Chief Philanthropy & External Affairs Officer. With more than 27 years of experience in philanthropy, marketing, and communications, she leads fundraising strategy, marketing, and donor engagement efforts supporting families served by RMHC-San Diego. Over her career, Mindy has raised more than $100 million for children’s organizations, including 11 years with the Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation. She holds degrees from Robert Morris University and Regis University. Mindy was named the 2023 Nonprofit Business Woman of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal and continues

Sarah Cortell Vandersypen, CFRE, MA

Executive Director
United MSD Foundation
Sarah Cortell Vandersypen

Sarah Cortell Vandersypen, CFRE joined the United MSD Foundation as its Executive Director in 2023, bringing over a decade of nonprofit and fundraising experience. In 2016, she founded Philanthropic Partners, a consulting firm focused on fundraising, board development, strategic planning, coaching and training. Sarah holds a M.A. in Arts Policy and Administration from The Ohio State University and a B.A. in Art History from Boston University. She earned a Certificate of Nonprofit Board Consulting from BoardSource in 2019. Sarah is an active member of AFP as a former global board member, current global committee member, and a certified facilitator.

AFP Members receive the latest fundraising news in their inbox everyday.
Not a member and want a free weekly wrap-up sent to you?


Sign Up Now!

Recommended for You

Members: Sign in to view your personalized recommendations!

Sign in