Michael Ayalon: CEO, Greek University | NIC Bronze Alliance Partner
As a professional public speaker, author, social media figure, host of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, and CEO of Greek University, Michael Ayalon is a recognized thought leader in the realms of fraternity and sorority life, business leadership, and higher education. Mike and his team published five books for Fraternity and Sorority leaders, including the From Letters to Leaders book series and “Using AI to Grow Your Fraternity or Sorority”. Mike is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Assessment, Learning, and Student Success (Higher Education Concentration) at Middle Tennessee State University and anticipates completion in May of 2025.
Rod Barleen: Executive Vice President, Pennington & Company | NIC/FFE Distinguished Titanium Alliance Partner
Beth Bell: Partner, Taylor Bell Consulting | FFE Gold Alliance Partner
Beth Bell is a passionate and energetic relationship builder with a proven track record of success. Her enthusiasm and optimism are contagious, making her a perfect presenter to motivate and inspire others. Beth’s diverse background and analytical skills allow her to connect with a wide audience and tackle complex challenges.
Ashley Byrd: Executive Director, Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation | Foundation staff size: 3-5
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).
Andy Canada: Senior Consultant and Director of Data Analytics, JGA | FFE Bronze Alliance Partner
Andy Canada joined JGA in 2010 after serving as Development Director for the Indiana University Foundation, where he served as lead fundraiser for the School of Health Physical Education and Recreation (HPER). Prior to joining the Indiana University Foundation, Andy served as Director of Development for the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University. He also worked in Purdue’s Planned Giving area, leading key initiatives to increase donor gifts through estate planning vehicles. By educating donors on planned giving opportunities, he helped to raise $26.5 million in new documented gifts for the university.
Rebekah Cheney, MBA: Director of Annual Giving, Western Carolina University | Foundation staff size: 10+
Rebekah Cheney started her career in philanthropic trust administration and then found the wonderful world of higher ed fundraising. Since joining the WCU team as Director of Annual Giving, Rebekah has been the driving force behind the University’s very first Day of Giving and has increased annual support ever since her arrival.
Ryan Collett: Chief Development Officer, Pi Kappa Alpha Foundation | Foundation staff size: 10+
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).
Sarah Cone: Senior Director of Development Operations, Alpha Delta Pi Foundation | Foundation staff size: 5-10
Sarah Cone is the Senior Director of Development Operations at the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation, responsible for direct mail, digital fundraising, day of giving, phone-a-thon, event-based fundraising, marketing and communications, stewardship and special events, technology, and day-to-day Foundation operations. Prior to joining the Foundation staff in 2014, Sarah was the director of the alumni relations offices at Richmond Law and George Washington Law. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business from The Ohio State University, J.D. from University of Richmond Law, and master’s degree in higher education administration from The George Washington University.
Alicia Favata, CFRE: Chief Advancement Officer, Delta Zeta Foundation | Foundation staff size: 3-5
Alicia Favata, CFRE currently serves as Delta Zeta’s Chief Advancement Officer, providing overall leadership and direction to Delta Zeta Foundation’s strategy for major gifts, annual giving, stewardship, planned giving, student philanthropy and more. Returning to the Delta Zeta staff in 2015 as the Director of Alumnae Engagement (after previously serving as an Educational Leadership Consultant), Alicia started her successful fundraising career in community non-profit and higher education fundraising. She is a graduate of the University of Hartford with a Bachelor of Music: vocal performance.
Erin Fisher: CEO, The Leadership & Training Studio
Erin Fischer is the owner and CEO of The Leadership and Training Studio, a leadership development company that focuses on bringing true, funny, and highly engaging components to keynotes instead of boring Power Points! She hates long intros, so here is the short version, she’s written two published books, she’s spoken in 46 states, she has keynoted in front of 35,000 people over the past 15 years, written hundreds of leadership programs for her Fraternal clients, and she is only good at four things in this world. One is being an aunt to all her nieces and nephews, and one is being a human GPS. (Ask her about the other two!) What you really need to know is she is fascinated by human dynamics and has studied confidence, grit and resiliency to help folks work better together.
Sean FitzGerald, CFRE: Director of Development, Delta Upsilon Educational Foundation | Foundation staff size: 3-5
Sean FitzGerald (he/him) has spent the past 8+ years dedicated to philanthropy, most recently as Director of Advancement for Delta Upsilon Educational Foundation, of which he is a member. Prior experience includes raising funds toward medical research and higher education. Threading the needle between a donor’s “why” and a mission’s needs through effective communication is his specialty.
Will Foran: Chief Operating Officer, North American Interfraternity Conference
Will has worked with fraternity leaders for 20 years in various professional and volunteer roles. At the NIC, he has served as Director of Education and Leadership Development, Vice President of Education, Vice President of University Relations and Senior Vice President of Campus Operations. In his current role, Will works with the NIC Campus Support Team focused on supporting IFCs, student leaders, alumni and campus partners to elevate fraternity communities. Will is a founding member of his chapter of Phi Mu Delta fraternity, initiated at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Allison Foster, CFRE: Director of Donor Relations, Alpha Chi Omega Foundation | Foundation staff size: 5-10
Allison J. Foster serves as a Director of Donor Relations with the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. She has an extensive background in higher education and the fraternal world as her career is focused on work on campuses and within fraternal staff teams for both the Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity and Foundation. Allison believes in the power of relationships and the impact they can have on the forward movement of organizations. Allison holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from Stetson University and a Master of Arts in Education, Concentration: Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Connecticut. She is a Florida native and is currently living in Salt Lake City, Utah, enjoying the mountains and the outdoors.
