Speakers

Practitioners and nonprofit leaders from San Diego and beyond will share lessons learned, reflect on what's working right now and provide attendees with renewed energy to approach their work.

Audience seated in a conference room watching a speaker presenting with two large projection screens displaying images and text.

Featured Speakers

Our speakers challenge assumptions, offer fresh perspectives and help us think more clearly about what it means to Build for What’s Next in fundraising.

Cherian Koshy, CFRE, CAP®

Vice President

Kindsight

Cherian Koshy, CFRE, CAP®, is a USA Today bestselling author of Neurogiving and Vice President at Kindsight. He helps nonprofits lead with clarity, compassion, and evidence-based insight and is grateful for every chance to learn alongside the sector he serves.

Dana Snyder

Founder & CEO

Positive Equation

Dana Snyder is the founder of Positive Equation, creator of the Monthly Giving Builder, a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, and the author of The Monthly Giving Mastermind: A Framework to Build, Grow & Sustain Subscriptions for Good.

Kirsten Farrell

Director

The Goodman Center

Kirsten Farrell helps mission-driven organizations communicate with greater impact through storytelling.

Muhi Khwaja, CFRE

Trainer

Fundraising Academy at National University

Muhi Khwaja advances nonprofit and Muslim philanthropy through fundraising leadership and education.

All Speakers

Speakers reflect a range of roles, experiences and perspectives, all grounded in real nonprofit practice.

Sarah Aghassi

Founder

PersicaSage Consulting, LLC

Sarah Aghassi helps organizations align operations, culture, and technology through people-first leadership.

Torrey Albertazzi

Managing Director

Blair Search Partners

Torrey Albertazzi drives nonprofit collaboration, strategy, and organizational growth through partnership leadership.

Daniela Alvarado

Chief Operating Officer

Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA)

Daniela Alvarado strengthens PANA’s impact through nonprofit operations, leadership, and strategy.

Kate Azar

Director of Nonprofit Strategy

PNC Institutional Asset Management

Kate Azar advises mission-driven organizations on strategy, governance, and sustainable nonprofit growth.

Hannah Berger, MPA, CFRE

President

The Philanthropy Coach, LLC

Hannah Berger helps fundraisers transform mindset, confidence, and fundraising results.

Trevor Blair

Chief Executive Officer

Blair Search Partners

Trevor Blair helps nonprofits build strong leadership teams through executive search and workforce strategy.

Jared Blakeley

Senior Director of Development

KPBS

Jared Blakeley advances KPBS’ mission through major donor relationships and strategic philanthropy.

Karen Boyd, Ph.D.

Economist

Policy & Innovation Center

Karen Boyd helps mission-driven organizations align ethical AI strategy with the future of work.

Jen Carnig

President

Spitfire Strategies

Jen Carnig leads strategic communications campaigns advancing racial, economic, and climate justice.

Helen Cheng

Attorney

Withers Bergman LLP

Helen advises individuals and nonprofits on charitable planning, estate law, and philanthropy.

Brittany Clifton

Senior Account Director

Feathr

Brittany Clifton helps nonprofits grow impact through strategic digital marketing and fundraising.

Laurie Coskey, Ed.D.

Vice Chancellor, Development and Entrepreneurship

San Diego Community College District

Dr. Rabbi Laurie Coskey is a visionary San Diego leader who has advanced social justice, education, philanthropy, and community empowerment through decades of transformative civic and nonprofit leadership.

Tamara Y. Craver

President & CEO

Monarch School Project

Tamara Y. Craver is a nonprofit leader with 25+ years advancing education equity, youth development, community wellness through strategic innovation.

Margaux Dinerman

Major Gift Officer/Philanthropy Director

KPBS

Margaux Dinerman connects philanthropy, arts, and nonprofit leadership to advance KPBS’ mission.

Kirsten Farrell

Director

The Goodman Center

Kirsten Farrell helps mission-driven organizations communicate with greater impact through storytelling.

Lisa Gonzalez

Market Insights Manager

Bloomerang

Lisa Gonzalez helps nonprofits strengthen donor relationships through practical, insight-driven guidance.

Sharyn Goodson, CFRE

Senior Vice President of Philanthropy

Jewish Community Foundation

Sharyn Goodson strengthens philanthropy through cross-sector leadership, strategy, and nonprofit capacity building.

Kristen Grimm

Founder and Strategist

Spitfire Strategies

Kristen Grimm helps organizations drive social change through strategic communications and storytelling.

Tonya Jackman Hampton, Ed.D.

CEO/Founder, Speaker, Author and Executive Coach

Sequel Consulting Group

Dr. Tonya Jackman Hampton empowers leaders through executive coaching, culture strategy, and innovation.

Ernesta Johnson

Senior Director of Development & Community Affairs

Neighborhood House Association

Ernesta I. Johnson is a dedicated nonprofit leader who has advanced opportunity and community well-being across San Diego County through her work in fundraising and service.

Meredith Johnston

Vice President of Development

Family Health Centers of San Diego

Meredith Johnston builds high-impact philanthropy programs through strategic fundraising leadership.

Muhi Khwaja, CFRE

Trainer

Fundraising Academy at National University

Muhi Khwaja advances nonprofit and Muslim philanthropy through fundraising leadership and education.

Alex Kim

Chief Development Officer

KPBS

Alex Kim leads KPBS philanthropy and community engagement to strengthen public media impact.

Cherian Koshy, CFRE, CAP®

Vice President

Kindsight

Ingrid de Llamas, CFRE, IAP

President

Association of Fundraising Professionals San Diego

Ingrid de Llamas, CFRE, IAP is a retired fundraising leader who has raised more than $100 million for nonprofits and now serves as president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals San Diego.

John Loughlin

Board Member

Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA)

John brings decades of global tech leadership to advancing innovation and immigrant inclusion.

Rachel Lozano Castro

Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development

Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA)

Rachel Lozano Castro advances equity and opportunity through community partnerships and immigrant-led development.

Chris McGurn

Director, Planned Giving Solutions

PNC Bank

Chris is Director of PNC’s Planned Giving Solutions group, where he leads planned giving administration and investment services, and is a nationally recognized charitable gift planning leader.

Wendy McKinney, CFRE

President and CEO

Actuate Solutions, LLC

Wendy McKinney inspires mission-driven leadership through fundraising, service, and community impact.

Margie Newman Tsay

Founding Partner

Intesa Communications Group

Margie Newman Tsay helps leaders build trusted reputations and navigate high-stakes communications.

Gail Perry, MBA, CFRE

Founder

Gail Perry Group

Gail Perry, MBA, CFRE, is an internationally recognized fundraising consultant and one of America's foremost philanthropy experts.

Mary Petersen

Founder

Hey Fundraiser

Mary Petersen helps nonprofits secure transformational major gifts through practical fundraising coaching.

Vicki Pugh, CFRE, CAP®

Faculty Member

The Fund Raising School

Vicki Pugh helps nonprofits build strong cultures of philanthropy through strategic fundraising leadership.

Kathleen Quinn

Mindset Coach and Creator of the Power of Aligned Philanthropy

Kathleen A Quinn, LLC

Kathleen Quinn helps leaders align purpose, philanthropy, and fulfillment through mindset coaching.

Dave Raley

Founder

Imago Consulting

Dave Raley helps nonprofits drive growth through innovation and sustainable giving strategies.

Ramla Sahid

Founder and Executive Director

Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA)

Ramla Sahid advances refugee and immigrant justice through community-driven advocacy and leadership.

Mark Saville

Interim President + CEO

Laguna College of Art + Design

Mark Saville advances arts education through transformational fundraising and institutional leadership.

Amy Sexton Stanislavski, CFRE

Founder

The RD Pro Coach

Amy Sexton Stanislavski coaches nonprofit leaders to build stronger fundraising teams and sustainable growth.

Julie Siebel, Ph.D.

Executive Vice President

CCS Fundraising

Julie Siebel helps nonprofits strengthen philanthropy, culture, and engagement through strategic leadership.

Judi Smith

President

GivingSMITH

Judi Smith guides nonprofits in strategic philanthropy and planned giving with decades of expertise.

Dana Snyder

Founder & CEO

Positive Equation

Linda Spuck

Principal

Linda Spuck Consulting

Linda Spuck helps nonprofits and donors maximize impact through strategic philanthropy and legacy giving.

A.J. Steinberg, CFRE

Principal

Queen Bee Fundraising

A.J. Steinberg helps nonprofits raise millions through strategic events and donor engagement.

Kate Sudduth

Founder & Consultant

Sudduth Consulting, LLC

Kate Sudduth helps nonprofits strengthen strategy, secure funding, and build sustainable growth.

Richard Tollefson

Founder & President

The Phoenix Philanthropy Group

Richard Tollefson helps nonprofits worldwide achieve transformational philanthropic growth and impact.

Kerry Toolan, CSPG

Principal

All Points Ahead Inc.

Kerry Toolan helps nonprofit leaders navigate growth, fundraising, and burnout with clarity and resilience.

Javan Van Gronigen

Founder and Creative Director

Fifty & Fifty and Donately

Javan Van Gronigen helps nonprofits grow impact through digital innovation, branding, and fundraising.

Frank Velásquez Jr.

Founder

4 Da Hood

Frank Velásquez Jr. advances equity through storytelling, leadership, and courageous community-building.

Kristin Wiggins

Vice President of Development

Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank

Kristin Wiggins is a seasoned nonprofit leader who advances community impact through strategic philanthropy, donor engagement, and mission-driven fundraising leadership.