Shavonn Richardson

Shavonn Richardson, MBA, GPC is the Founder of Think and Ink Grants® and has 18 years of experience as a grant writer, nonprofit leader, and federal grants reviewer. Shavonn served as a nonprofit leader and co-founded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Blue Flowers Org in 2014. She worked as a Corporate Social Responsibility Program Manager for the Bank of America Foundation, where she helped distribute $1.3 million in grants and sponsorships to Atlanta nonprofits each year. Now she gets grants for her clients at Think and Ink Grant Consulting and has successfully leveraged over $25 million in funding.

Lesley Molecke

Lesley has been working on the web since she was in high school and ran her own small web design shop before she could drive. She has extensive experience performing user testing and usability studies, rewriting and improving complex language to appeal to a wide variety of audiences, and helping organizations adopt the right technologies to achieve their goals. Her heart really belongs to nonprofits and small businesses, where she can see the tangible benefits of a healthy web presence: donations, connections, engagements, and sales.

Sima Parekh

A senior business and technology leader who is adept at finding the best solution to complex problems while building and leading teams through major changes and transformations. Experienced at visualizing the end goal, organizing resources, and achieving results. Skilled at driving multiple parallel initiatives, planning and tracking projects against key milestones in fast-paced, ever-changing environments. Proven track record leveraging technology expertise and business acumen to define strategy, embed change and successfully lead implementations with an effective ability to collaborate across all functions of an organization and dispersed teams. 15+ years of Waterfall and Agile methodology experience.

Sheri Chaney Jones

Sheri Chaney Jones is the founder and president of SureImpact. A researcher and expert in social impact measurement, Sheri believes in data, metrics, and accountability. She is a thought leader on public sector evaluation and applied organizational research. She is the author of Impact & Excellence: Data-Driven Strategies for Aligning Mission, Culture, and Performance in Nonprofit and Government Organizations (Jossey Bass, 2014). Sheri is passionate about women’s equity and the advancement of girls. She is the Columbus Chapter President of the National Association of Women Business Owners and a Commissioner for the Columbus.

Owen Demmerly

Owen is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ at Greenspring Advisors that specializes in working with foundations/endowments, individuals, and families. At Greenspring, he is an integral part of the financial planning committee and leads the Baltimore chapter of The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA). He is also the treasurer of a Maryland non-profit called the Starboard Society. Outside of the financial world Owen enjoys spending time with his family, staying active, and playing the guitar.

Christina Cahill

Christina Cahill is a Shareholder at Polsinelli. She focuses on advising on the tax aspects of charitable giving, philanthropy and representation of domestic and international nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations. Christina is a member of the Strategic Nonprofit Solutions team at Polsinelli, which helps nonprofits and other social impact-oriented organizations and individuals solve their most crucial strategic, administrative and development challenges. With deep experience in tax-exempt organization issues and management, state regulatory compliance requirements, and donor advised fund (DAF) legal administration, Christina is passionate about providing a personalized approach to organizations and individuals to allow clients to focus on maximizing philanthropic impact.

Greg McRay

Greg McRay is the founder and CEO of Foundation Group, one of the nation’s top providers of tax and compliance services to nonprofits. Greg and his team have worked with tens of thousands of nonprofits for over 25 years, assisting them with formation of new charities, plus tax, bookkeeping, and compliance services. He is credentialed as an Enrolled Agent, the highest designation of tax specialist recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Greg and company work with charities and nonprofits all across the country and worldwide.

Jessie States

Jessie States, CMP, CMM, is the Vice President of the MPI Academy for Meeting Professionals International, where she leads and advances MPI’s professional development strategy, developing and managing MPI’s portfolio of educational products including live and digital events, educational experiences, professional certificate programs and educational partnerships. Jessie has received the Pacesetter Award from the Events Industry Council, an honor that recognizes emerging leaders and industry supporters. She has also earned spots on the lists of 25 Most Influential People in Meetings and Events (Successful Meetings magazine) and Trendsetters (Meetings Today magazine).

Sherry Truhlar

Sherry Truhlar, CMP, CAI, BAS is President of Red Apple Auctions, a boutique auction firm focused on nonprofit galas. Since leaving her corporate marketing job, she’s worked as a cheeky auctioneer onstage and a trusted resource offstage for anyone seeking to improve the profitability of a fundraising gala. Though her public work has taken her to nearly every state and placed her alongside A-list celebrities, most days she is educating gala planners via her Benefit Auction Ideas series. She’s spoken at many AFP regional conferences and has been covered in The NonProfit Times, Florida’s Sun Sentinel, Town & Country Magazine, The Washington Post Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Vineyard Gazette, and dozens of other resources.

Chrissy Gow

Chrissy Gow is the Director of Marketing at EventMobi, an event management software company founded in 2010 to help Association, corporate and agency event planners deliver engaging in-person, virtual, and hybrid events.