2023 Breakout Session Presenters

Jen Magro Algarotti, Ph.D.

Jen Magro Algarotti is the director of strategic communications for the Delta Gamma Foundation where she oversees all aspects of marketing, communications, and annual giving for the Foundation. Prior to joining the Delta Gamma Foundation, Jen was the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Kappa Foundation. A member of Kappa Kappa Gamma herself, Jen has worked in the non-profit and higher education landscape for the past twenty years, focusing on teaching and learning, marketing and communications, and fundraising. She has previously held roles at The Ohio State University, George Mason University, and Denison University. She lives in Columbus, OH.

Cara Augspurger

A long-time development professional, Cara currently serves as Fundraising Coach for Donorbox and focuses on consulting with nonprofits of all sizes. Her expertise is in coaching, annual fundraising, project management, and communications. She has both a BS and Ed.M. from the University of Illinois, with a specialized study in adult learning. She also earned her Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) and Project Management Professional (PMP) credentials. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and has worked in fraternal fundraising for more than 15 years. 

Mariah Bockbrader

Mariah Bockbrader, a Delta Gamma alumna from Alpha Rho chapter at Ohio Wesleyan, is the Assistant Director: Programs and Impact for the Delta Gamma Foundation. Mariah works with scholarship, fellowship and grant applicants, donors and recipients; in conjunction with a strong volunteer team, Mariah assures that donors’ wishes are fulfilled and that applicants are matched with opportunities. Mariah was a strong leader at the collegiate level, continuing that trend in her work in member conduct and risk management for Delta Gamma Fraternity; she carries those experiences into her daily role.

Joe Budde, Jr.

Joe Budde, Jr. serves as the Solutions Architect at ChapterSpot, bringing over 15-years of fraternal expertise to his role. Prior to joining ChapterSpot, Joe has held other significant positions including Chief Financial Officer at Beta Theta Pi, Chief Information Officer at the NIC/FFE, and Chief Information Officer at Sigma Phi Epsilon. Joe has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to designing and supporting the operations of annual and capital campaigns. 

Notably, Joe worked with SigEp to double their annual fund in two years by creating end-to-end donor experiences utilizing personalized marketing and segmentation approaches.

Joe also has extensive experience with FFE’s Cygnus Survey in 2015 and 2020, giving him unparalleled insights to how technology and donor sentiment direct our ability to create sustainable donor experiences.

Joe and his wife, Lindsay, a Kappa Alpha Theta, reside in Cincinnati with their four children.

Beth Burkes

Beth Burkes serves as Chief Development Officer of Tri Delta’s Foundation. Previous experience includes leading Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Foundation, many years of major gift fundraising with United Way and managing alumni relations at a medical school. She is a creative, mission-focused change agent who is passionate about storytelling.

Ashley Byrd

Executive Director Ashley Byrd joined the AOII Foundation team in early 2020 after spending nearly 20 years in non-profit fundraising. Working with volunteers to move the mission forward is one of her passions. She lives in Brentwood, TN with her husband, Jason and two boys, Tyler (5) and Logan (1). 

David Carico

David Carico served on the staff of the Kappa Alpha Order for 15 years, including 10 years as Executive Director of the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation. He then moved to the Georgia Institute of Technology where he was Regional Director of Development, soliciting major philanthropic support for the Georgia Tech Foundation.  

Jill Carrel

Jill’s professional and volunteer experience with Pi Beta Phi spans 20 years and was inspired by dedicated advisors and faculty during her collegiate days at Butler University. She currently serves as Director of Advancement for Pi Beta Phi Foundation and is responsible for executing the development strategy for the organization. Her previous experience includes higher education annual giving and alumni relations and fraternal foundation operations. 

Ali Briggs Carvalho

Ali Briggs Carvalho is the CEO and co-founder of LifeWeb 360, a digital platform for alumni to reconnect with old friends while celebrating fraternal brothers or sisters who’ve passed away. While alumni share stories and photos of departed friends, LifeWeb 360 weaves and connects the threads that bring people together, prompting alumni to reflect on their love for the organization and its people.

John E. Christopher

John E. Christopher is a Founding Partner of Fraternal Law Partners. He helps fraternal clients navigate the legal challenges of non-profit organizations, including seeking and maintaining tax-exempt status, corporate governance matters and grant-making. He also advises national fraternities and sororities, their chapters and their foundations diverse issues including corporate governance and fund stewardship, domestic and foreign grant-making, maintaining the corporate integrity of affiliated organizations, policy and procedure drafting and review, self-dealing and excess benefits transactions review and guidance, and representation of organizations facing IRS audit, issues related to risk management and housing issues.

Ryan Collett

Ryan Collett is the Chief Development Officer for the Pi Kappa Alpha Foundation where he oversees the revenue and operations of the Foundation. Since joining the Foundation in 2018 his involvement has led to the organization achieving record breaking fundraising years including staff’s highest total dollars raised, highest unrestricted dollars raised, highest dollars granted to the International Fraternity, highest President’s Council membership (annual recurring giving program of $1,000 or more).

Prior to joining the Foundation he served the Fraternity’s professional staff as Consultant and Director of Expansion for four years and then worked for Cerner Corporation, a market leader in healthcare electronic medical records. He specialized in enterprise system sales and then focused on population health and big data analytics.

He is a graduate from Kansas State University with dual degrees of Kinesiology and Nutrition. He resides in a suburb of Kansas City with his wife Nicole and daughter Emersyn.

Kath Conver

Kath Conver is serving her third term on the AOII Foundation Board and recently was elected its president. She helped establish the Foundation’s Marketing and Fundraising committees and served as Board liaison to both. Initiated into AOII at Northern Illinois University, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism. Kath had a rewarding career in public relations working for a private residential high school, a tourism council and a chamber of commerce. She retired from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois as the Senior Director of Public Relations.

Kelby Dolan

Kelby Dolan is the Director of Communications and Alumni Engagement for Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity. For the past seven years, he has spearheaded content development, maintaining communication with 70k+ current members and alumni through printed periodicals, digital communication, and Social Media accounts; leading to effective alumni touchpoints for their Fraternity and Foundation. In addition, Kelby is the Founder and Owner of Dolan Videography, which has served over 40 international and state-wide associations; lead and directed projects from planning, filming, and editing through full production.

Phil Fernandez

Phil Fernandez currently serves as the Chief Foundation Officer for the Beta Theta Pi Foundation, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Foundation and its seven person staff. After graduating from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Phil began his career with Beta in 2006 serving as a Leadership Consultant and Director of Expansion (2008-2012), then with the Beta Foundation as Director of Advancement (2012-2018). 

He is a returning presenter at Seminar, been on its planning committee (2020) and currently serves on the FFE Board of Directors. 

Phil lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife, Nicolette, and their two boys. In his free time, Phil enjoys golf, college football, traveling and the great outdoors.

Tracy Garner

Tracy Garner currently is serving in her second year as a member of the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence (FFE) Board of Directors and as Chair of the FFE Grants Committee.  In 2022, Tracy was recognized by FFE as Outstanding Foundation Volunteer.  Prior to her service on the FFE Board, Tracy served for 12 years on the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation Board holding a variety of positions including Vice President of Finance, We Believe Comprehensive Campaign Chair and five years as Board President.  Prior to her Foundation service, she served Alpha Delta Pi as Director of Development, Leadership Chair, and International Secretary.  In 2019, Tracy retired from AT&T as Vice President of Internet and Entertainment Field Services. 

Meghan Grace, Ed.D.

Dr. Meghan Grace is a Senior Consultant with Plaid, LLC., an organizational development firm that aims to help people and organizations achieve their version of “being.better.” With an extensive background in higher education, organizational management, and project planning and management, Dr. Grace oversees the firm’s strategy and operations as well as research, assessment, and data strategy solutions. Meghan’s research interests include generational studies, student and campus life, and campus and organizational climate. 

Marsha Grady, CFRE

Marsha Grady is an initiate of Alpha Upsilon chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Alabama. She served in appointed, elected or staff positions for Alpha Chi Omega every year since she was 19 years old! She served on Alpha Chi Omega’s National Council from 2000-2012, the last four years as National President. During that time, she also served as a Trustee for the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation and a Director of the National Housing Corporation.

Marsha holds Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees in Business Administration from the University of Alabama, and spent more than 20 years in business management and consulting in a variety of industries before turning her skills toward nonprofit fundraising. Marsha currently serves as Chief Development Officer for the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation, leading a team of professionals responsible for raising funds to support the educational and philanthropic programs and initiatives of Alpha Chi Omega. She achieved CFRE certification in 2017.

In addition to her volunteer work with Alpha Chi Omega, she served from 2017-20 as Vice President and co-founder of Lean On: Alabama, a nonprofit focused on supporting collaborative and uplifting relationships for women in the state of Alabama; served on the board of the Distinguished Young Women of America from 2018-20; and currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence. Marsha resides in Inlet Beach, Florida, where she enjoys sunshine year-round.

Alex Goodman, MNM

Alex Goodman has been a member of the Alpha Phi Foundation staff since November 2019, having transitioned from Office Administrator to Grants and Scholarships Manager in October 2020. A recent graduate of DePaul University’s Masters of Nonprofit Management program, Alex utilizes skills she has developed through her education and work experience to successfully execute grant programs for Alpha Phi Foundation’s five funding priorities. Alex combines her fraternal experience as an alumna of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority (Delta Eta – DePaul University) with her passion for creating change in the world as she engages with Alpha Phi’s donors and grant applicants.

Matthew Green

Matt is a Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager with the Green/McCullough Wealth Management Group. In his role, he provides financial advisory services and solutions to a highly dynamic and accomplished group of individuals, families and institutions. Having met the criteria necessary to qualify for the Senior Portfolio Manager Designation, Matt designs and executes customized investment strategies, within a set of defined investment parameters.  Prior to joining UBS, Matt spent the majority of his investment career within the asset management divisions of J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank and Goldman Sachs & Co. A native of Indiana, Matt holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University. He is a graduate member of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity. In addition, he is active with the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center and previously worked on the boards of Easter Seals Crossroads and Miles for Myeloma. Matt and his family reside in the Fishers area. 

Kristen Gwinn-Becker, Ph.D.

Kristen Gwinn-Becker is a software engineer and history PhD. She is an established thought leader in the field, a published author, and an experienced public speaker, including her 2014 TEDx talk.

As a professional historian and digital strategist Kristen founded HistoryIT to digitally preserve history for future generations and to make it accessible to all. With the mission to save history, HistoryIT works closely with a number of fraternity and sorority headquarters and chapters to serve their specific needs — from member engagement to fundraising and using their past to frame today’s complicated world.

Melissa Hammer

Melissa Hammer is the Associate Director of Communications for the Kappa Delta Foundation where she is responsible for the development and implementation of the foundation’s strategic communications plan. Prior to joining the foundation staff in 2019, Melissa was senior acquisitions editor for the University Press of Kentucky. She is a Kappa Delta from Bradley University and earned a master’s in organizational leadership and a certificate in nonprofit administration from Western Kentucky University. She currently serves as president elect of the Junior League of Lexington, Kentucky, where she lives with her husband, Joe, daughter, Eva, and their retired racing greyhound, Hip Hop.

Dan Hartmann

Dan Hartmann is the President & CEO of the Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation. He brings 15+ years of experience in philanthropy and non-profit leadership. Prior to rejoining the Lambda Chi Foundation staff in 2019, Hartmann served as Director of Development at Indiana University Foundation on the IU-Indianapolis campus. He has extensive Interfraternal Foundation experience, having previously served as COO of the NIC Foundation. In addition, Dan served Lambda Chi Alpha in a previous tour of duty as the Alumni Director and traveled as an Educational Leadership Consultant. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Becca, and their daughters, Hadley and Harper.

Ali Hay

Ali Hay joined Gravyty in Spring 2022 after nearly 15 years as a frontline fundraiser and fundraising consultant. Experienced in human services, arts, religious, and higher education organizations, she holds a special place in her heart for “small shops”. Ali’s industry expertise and diligence position her clients for success, and she’s proud of the ways in which she’s incorporated innate traits of empathy, creativity, candor, as well as humor into her work and relationships. 

Ali sits on Gravyty’s Customer Success team, partnering with Raise clients to align the product with organizational goals throughout the partnership, as well as strategize, train, and support product adoption.

Wes Holtsclaw

Wes Holtsclaw is the Senior Director of Communications for the Sigma Chi Foundation where he leads the organization’s digital and print marketing and communications efforts and assists its annual programs team. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2014, he served as sports editor and journalist for two newspapers in East Tennessee and was a country music vocalist and songwriter. He is a graduate from East Tennessee State University with a BS in Public Relations and Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music.

Emily Karcher

Emily Karcher serves as Development and Engagement Manager for Pi Beta Phi Foundation. She first interned with the Foundation as a collegiate member and joined staff full-time after graduation. Her responsibilities have included capital campaign management, developing Pi Phi’s major gift program, and leading its direct mail program. She leads challenge gift strategy for Pi Phi Giving Day, which accounts for more than 30% of Giving Day revenue. Emily is an alumna of the Maryland Gamma chapter of Pi Beta Phi at Johns Hopkins University.

Justin Kirk

Justin Kirk has served as Executive Director of Delta Upsilon International Fraternity since 2007, and oversight of the DU Educational Foundation was added to his role in 2012. He also serves on the NIC Governing Council and President of FFE Board of Directors. Previously, he served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors, Center for the Study of the College Fraternity and Fraternity Communications Association. “FFE has been a driver of an industry-wide research agenda that is yielding exceptional data and outcomes on the fraternal experience. We have an opportunity to help shape the narrative on fraternity relevance and assist organizations in how to use the data to better articulate impact.”

Natalie Knapp

Natalie Knapp is the assistant director for communications: creative strategies for the Delta Gamma Foundation, where she has been on staff for eight years. She is responsible for the Foundation’s graphic design, photography, website, and social media. Upon graduating from Otterbein University with a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design and printmaking, she worked at a print shop and as a freelance designer before coming to Delta Gamma. Additionally, she is a wedding photographer in Columbus, Ohio. Natalie is an alumna initiate of Delta Gamma and currently serves as the Columbus alumnae chapter president and an adviser at the Ohio State University.

Susanne Harmon Kondracke

Susanne Harmon Kondracke, a Delta Gamma alumna from Theta chapter at Indiana University, serves the Delta Gamma Foundation as a Donor Relations Specialist. Susanne has dedicated her career to the non-profit realm, having worked for Delta Gamma in three different capacities and working and volunteering for PELOTONIA, an organization dedicated to bringing an end to cancer; she also spent time with the Friends of the Ohio Governor’s Residence and Heritage Gardens. The importance of providing excellent customer service and a fantastic donor experience is an area where Susanne feels great affinity.

Katie Kowalski

Katie Kowalski serves as the Engagement Officer for Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation with a focus on donor engagement and acquisition through traditional and peer-to-peer annual giving channels, as well as Foundation marketing and donor impact reporting. She has 14 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, including 10 years serving fraternity and sorority foundations. She admires the camaraderie and community support of the members of the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence and remembers the impactful experience of attending her first seminar. She lives in the Halloween-centric neighborhood of Irvington in Indianapolis with her dog, Sadie, and her cat, Gonzo.

Alicia M. Lifrak

Alicia M. Lifrak serves as Executive Vice President at Pursuant. With more than three decades of philanthropic leadership experience, she has built a record of success in generating consistent and sustainable fundraising, membership, and organizational growth. She is passionate about helping nonprofits build capacity and increase philanthropic support to better serve their community and the greater good for the world at large. At Pursuant, Alicia works cross functionally with all teams to seek growth opportunities for existing and new prospective clients through data, strategy, and resource optimization.

Carly Loth

Carly Loth joined the AOII Foundation staff team in June—one week before Convention.  She previously served the Foundation as a member of the Fundraising & Development and Scholarship Committees.  Initated into AOII at California State University Northridge. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Tourism Management.  Carly spent more than two decades working in professional sports most recently with the Rose Bowl Stadium. She is excited to bring her love for AOII together with her passion for building relationships.

Lucy Love

Lucy is a certified nonprofit management and leadership professional with a passion for creating strategic vision, developing leadership strengths in others, identifying new and sustainable fundraising opportunities, and acting as a catalyst for change. She has spent most of her career in higher education fundraising and stepped into her role as Major Gifts Officer with the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation in the summer of 2022. Lucy received both her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and her Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership Studies with an emphasis in Human Development and Leadership from Murray State University. 

Leslie Loop Martin

Leslie Martin, she/her, is the Executive Director of the Delta Gamma Foundation. She holds a Master of Public Health from The Ohio State University and has had her CFRE since 2017. She has held several development positions in the non-profit industry including director of planned giving, director of development and major gift officer. Since returning to the Delta Gamma Foundation in 2020, Leslie has overseen a team of professional staff and volunteers who have launched the public phase of Delta Gamma’s first ever comprehensive campaign, Anchoring the Future, which has raised over $47 million and counting.

Mike Martynowicz, Ph.D.

Mike Martynowicz, Ph.D. is an educational psychologist who serves as the Research Lead in the Education Sector at Vector Solutions. He spent 18 years as an educator prior to coming to Vector (7 years as a high school teacher, 11 years as a college professor). Mike is most interested in research related to student mental well-being, but historically he has also engaged in research related to metacognitive processing, self-efficacy, and student learning strategies. Mike has advised multiple student organizations at all levels of education, including peer counseling, peer mentoring, and suicide prevention groups at both the high school and postsecondary levels. In addition to his work as a professor and researcher in higher education, Mike worked at the administrative level and oversaw graduate programs in psychology and counseling. Due to his unique professional experience and trajectory, Mike brings a holistic view to research related to student mental well-being. 

Heather Matthews

Heather Matthews is Director of Marketing and Communications for Kappa Delta Sorority. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University and earned a master’s in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University. For more than 15 years, Heather has been working with fraternal organizations to build and implement impactful communication strategy, having served four years as chief communications officer for Sigma Phi Epsilon and three years as chief communications officer for the North American Interfraternity Conference. Prior to that, she worked for Zeta Tau Alpha for nearly a decade, including three years as director of education and communication.

Steve Mitchell

Steve Mitchell is the President / CEO of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation. Since joining the Foundation in 2020 he has led the organization to back-to-back record-breaking fundraising years including the most total dollars raised, most unrestricted dollars raised, and the largest one-time gift.

Prior to joining the staff he served as a Trustee for the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation since 2013.

After nearly thirty years, Steve retired from AT&T in December of 2019 where he served as a Vice President of Sales for multiple vertical markets.

He is a graduate from Indiana University with a BS in Marketing and has an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Liam Moore

Liam Moore is the Vice President of Fraternal Partnerships at CrowdChange Inc. where he oversees the company’s operations in supporting its fraternal partners and their fundraising efforts. He and his team work hand-in-hand with National Organizations and Foundations to enhance their online fundraising and develop net new campaigns. 

Since joining CrowdChange in 2018, Liam’s involvement has led to over $60 million raised across 100+ fraternal organizations and consistent year-over-year growth.

His background is in Strategic Marketing and Communication, and he currently resides in the Caribbean island of Barbados with his wife Sabrina.

Emily Musser

As Vice President of Client Relations for AMG National Trust, Emily works with their institutional and nonprofit clients to achieve long-term financial success, leads training programs for advisor teams, event creation and production, and software and client process development. Prior to joining AMG in 2006, Emily led fundraising for the Dallas and Colorado Symphonies. She is a member of Tri Delta and serves on the Fraternity’s Enterprise Finance Committee. AMG is proud to be a FFE Diamond Alliance Partner.

Benjamin S. M. Nicol, CFRE

As a self-proclaimed do-gooder, Ben enjoys leading the Phi Kappa Psi Foundation. Working alongside donors as they realize their philanthropic passions is his professional mission. Ben joined the Foundation in 2004 and has held several positions with the organization. He has concentrated much of his efforts in strengthening the organization’s position as Phi Psi’s community foundation. 

Jacklyn D. Olinger

Jacklyn D. Olinger is an attorney with Fraternal Law Partners. Her practice focuses on the issues specific to nonprofit and tax exempt organizations, including seeking and maintaining tax exempt status, corporate governance matters, grant-making, housing and real estate matters and registration under state charitable solicitation laws. Jacklyn advises national fraternities and sororities, their chapters, foundations and house corporations. Jacklyn is a member of Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the National Housing Corporation.

Raenee Patterson

Raenee Patterson currently serves as the Assistant Director of Development at the Delta Zeta Foundation. A member of the Delta Zeta Sorority from Fort Hays State University, she received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership at FHSU. After graduating from college in 2021, she accepted a role as a Development and Marketing Associate at CauseVid where she gained valuable experience helping non-profits incorporate video into their fundraising strategy. Raenee currently manages stewardship efforts, the collegiate giving society and other special projects.

Holly Rider

Holly Rider is the Vice President of Education Strategy at Vector Solutions where she supports organizations and institutions that have demonstrated commitment to adopting the highest standards for prevention related to health and safety issues on their campuses.  

With nearly 30 years experience in campus and community-based experience, Holly is a frequently sought expert on issues related to sexual and intimate partner violence on college campuses by colleges and universities, state and federal agencies, policy groups and other organizations as well as national and education media outlets.

Cindee Riordan

Cindee serves in a uniquely created position as Major Gifts Officer for both the Alpha Delta Pi & Alpha Omicron Pi Foundations. Prior to working in the sorority foundation space, Cindee successfully led the $40 million United For the Future Endowment campaign for United Way of South Hampton Roads. Cindee’s experience in the non-profit sector and with national Presidential and Senatorial political campaigns gives her a distinctive insight into the philanthropic interests of major gift donors. Cindee received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism at University of Georgia where she was a member of Chi Omega and earned her Master’s degree from Georgetown University.

Vincent Russo

Vincent Russo serves as Senior Director of Advancement at the Delta Tau Delta Educational Foundation where he previously served as Senior Advancement Office and Leadership Gift Officer in prior roles over his five years in fundraising. Russo also served Delta Tau Delta as a Senior and Chapter Leadership Consultant, working with over 40 chapters of the Fraternity across the country from 2017-2019. His career and volunteerism outside of it has continuously immersed him in the contemporary undergraduate and young adult population in the United States and given him insight to the challenges and ambitions of this specific population. 

Chelsea E. Sheridan

Chelsea E. Sheridan serves as the Director of Advancement at the Delta Tau Delta Educational Foundation. She previously served as the Assistant Director of Student Organizations at the University of Mississippi, Assistant Director of Volunteer Engagement at The College of William & Mary, and as the Assistant Director of Volunteer Engagement at Zeta Beta Tau. Her experience working with students, volunteer populations, donors, and young alumni have given her a holistic viewpoint of the undergraduate to alumni transition and the varying challenges our organizations continue to strive to solve.

Scott Sikes, MBA, CFRE, FAHP, CFP

Scott Sikes consults with nonprofit board and staff leaders nationally and teaches organizational leadership/fundraising at Brenau University. He was VP of Shepherd Center, the nation’s largest brain and spinal cord injury hospital, and Executive Director of its Foundation; VP of Valdosta State University and CEO of its Foundation; Interim Executive Director of Development at the University of Georgia.

Laura Stillman

Laura Stillman, Assistant Executive Director/Director of Donor Relations for the Delta Gamma Foundation, carries a long history within the non-profit and volunteer sectors. As a Kappa Kappa Gamma from the University of Illinois, Laura’s strengths include diplomacy and grace; she is an articulate and trusted leader and can be relied upon to provide a sage perspective. As resident IMIS expert and a skilled donor relations professional, Laura has lots to share with her Greek peers at FFE.

Kelly Wesley Taylor

Kelly Wesley Taylor co-founded Trek Advancement, a philanthropy consulting firm, over 13 years ago to help clients execute good governance, solid leadership and sustainable fundraising. Kelly has served in various leadership roles for Kappa Alpha Theta.

Sharyn Taylor

Sharyn Taylor is a Major Gifts Officer with Alpha Phi Foundation. With a background in business development, paired with her enthusiasm for fundraising and philanthropic giving, Sharyn enjoys working directly with donors, allowing them to connect with and support the Foundation through campaign initiatives, planned giving opportunities, establishing scholarship and leadership funds, and individual major gifts. She holds a B.S. in Public Relations from Appalachian State University where she was a member of the Theta Nu chapter of Alpha Phi. She is a long-time supporter of Alpha Phi Foundation’s mission and has served as a volunteer on the chapter level for eight years. Sharyn lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband Brant.

Kristin Tofanelli

Kristin Tofanelli has served on the Phi Mu Foundation staff for 11 years with three years as the Executive Director. After completing her MBA from Georgia Southern University and prior to joining the Phi Mu Foundation team as the Director of Development, Kristin worked in the professional services and IT field in sales and marketing management. “The opportunity to serve the incredible FFE community and strengthen our ability to elevate and accelerate the transformative impact of fraternities and sororities through FFE’s mission is a true honor and privilege. I have grown both personally and professionally as a direct beneficiary from the organization’s collective commitment to connection, research and the culture of care. I am excited to help advance FFE’s important work in an effort to positively influence growth and sustainable support for the Greek communities we serve.”

Mindy Tucker

Chief Strategy Officer Tucker is a graduate of the Cox School of Business at SMU and an initiate of the Theta Kappa chapter of Tri Delta. Tucker has deep experience in politics and government, having served as a spokesperson for George W. Bush’s election and re-election campaigns and for the U.S. Department of Justice. Tucker owned and operated a successful communications consultancy serving corporate, non-profit and start-up clients prior to joining Tri Delta’s professional staff in 2017. In her role as Chief Strategy Officer, Tucker leads the communications, marketing, events, data, and technology functions and has leadership responsibility for organizational strategy and effectiveness as well as diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging (DEIAB). Tucker and her two sons reside in San Diego, California.

Ashley VanDewark

Ashley has served as the executive director of the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence since June 2018, implementing major changes immediately through a new brand, growth in programs and adoption of the foundation’s first strategic plan. She joined the staff of the former NIC Foundation in March 2017 after serving her organization Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity as a Leadership Consultant and later as Assistant Director of Fraternity Services-Extension, overseeing the establishment and growth of new collegiate chapters. She also gained extensive project and growth management experience as Business Development Manager for an entrepreneurial group that builds businesses focused on providing educational, engagement and experiential opportunities. In March of 2023, Ashley became a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach to help others improve their quality of life inside and outside of work by capitalizing on their innate strengths.

Karen White

A passionate and results-oriented, non-profit executive Karen joined Tri Delta as CEO in 2014.

Prior to joining Tri Delta, Karen served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for ALSAC, the fundraising arm of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In this role, she led the organization’s corporate, sports and fitness fundraising and awareness efforts, working with Fortune 500 companies and professional sports leagues. Karen also oversaw the organization’s fitness fundraising initiatives.  She held a similar position for Susan G. Komen as the Director of Sponsorship and Sports.   

Karen started her career in advertising and marketing. In 1996, she started Karen Hughes White Communications, providing marketing and communications services to clients across the Southeast and a publishing a monthly home and garden magazine distributed in North Texas. 

Karen joined Tri Delta at Brenau Women’s University, where she played tennis. She transferred to the University of Georgia as a sophomore and affiliated with Alpha Rho Chapter, where she served in various leadership roles. Karen graduated from Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. She is the proud mother of three children: Mary Patrick, Will, and Tee. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and entertaining, fitness, and sports.

Elizabeth Wojcik

Elizabeth Wojcik has been at CSI for almost 10 years working with fraternal organizations and associations to help them utilize their iMIS database and connected systems to maximum effectiveness. The CSI team has been working with our Foundation partners for almost 30 years to enhance their use of data and tools to meet their fundraising goals.

Kyle Yarawsky

Kyle Yarawsky is a Kentucky native living in Dallas, TX where he is a Vice President for Pennington & Company. In his seven years working with fraternity campaigns he has helped his clients raise over $13 million for housing and scholarship needs. Kyle also oversees the training and continuing education of the Pennington & Company capital consultant staff.

Rebecca J. Zanatta

Rebecca J. Zanatta brings more than 20 years of experience building and stewarding strategic donor partnerships and has worked with over 100+ clients in her nearly 10-year consulting career. She has served in various leadership roles for Alpha Phi.