Director
Fundraising Force

Stephen Mally, CFRE, FFIA, brings more than 35 years of fundraising and non-profit consulting experience. Having served as a fundraiser in the United States, he transitioned to consulting in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America in 2008. Stephen is the CEO and Director of FundraisingForce, a consulting firm based in Sydney, Australia and Rancho Mirage, CA. As a consultant, he has worked with hundreds of schools, universities, and charities, gaining a vast amount of exposure to diverse organizations and fundraising programs.

Stephen acquired his CFRE credential in 2012. and was named a Fellow of the Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA) in 2017. In addition to CFRE, he serves on the board of Pink Elephants Support Network. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin.

Vice President, Community & Legacy Giving
WWF-Canada

As an Olympic athlete, Scott Sandison, CFRE, knows what it takes to succeed and has transferred his dedication for achievement on the playing field to making a difference beyond it. Whether it’s through philanthropy, sport, or partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, he drives positive change through a holistic approach to problem-solving that is both innovative and effective.

After two decades in the nonprofit sector, Scott has experienced a wide range of activities within the industry. In his most recent role of Vice President, Community & Legacy Giving for WWF-Canada, he is responsible for leading the data-driven national strategy for fundraising and focuses on fostering relationships with donors. By approaching every challenge and relationship with the same inquisitive and open-minded lens, Scott has made a habit of following his passions and going above and beyond expectations.

Scott obtained his CFRE credential in 2017, his MBA from Queens University in 2021, and founded RealPath to help charities understand supporter motivations and improve donor connection to the cause, leading to an increase in lifetime giving.

Managing Director
Carter, Advancing Philanthropy Worldwide

Michelle Hamilton, CFRE, has experienced success in all areas of fundraising through leadership roles with the National MS Society, Houston Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic, Arts Council of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, Crisis Assistance Ministry, and Charlotte Symphony.

Before joining Carter as Managing Director in 2021, she served as VP of Development for the Charlotte Symphony (CSO) and served as Interim CEO. During her tenure with the CSO, she led efforts that grew the endowment by $4M, and individual giving by 25%. At Carter, Michelle provides counsel on capital campaigns, major gifts, governance, and fundraising strategy.

Michelle is an AFP Charlotte Board Member and Past President, and was named Outstanding Fundraising Professional in 2013. She also serves on the Board of Tosco Music, and is a founding member of Fair Play Music Equity Initiative, both in Charlotte.

Vice President for Advancement
Keuka College

Rich Basler, CAP®, CFRE, is currently the Vice President for Advancement at Keuka College in Keuka Park, New York, where he leads dynamic teams in development and alumni relations. Prior to joining Keuka College, he was the Executive Director of Advancement Operations at St. Lawrence University.

Rich received his CFRE certification in 2019 and became a CFRE Ambassador in 2020. Since that time, he has mentored dozens of aspiring CFREs. In 2022, Rich also earned the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation from the American College of Financial Services. Rich most recently served on the Board of Directors of The Orchestra of Northern New York and six years on the Board of Trustees of Kinnara, one of Atlanta’s premier professional chamber choirs, most recently as Vice President.

Rich has a degree in Music Performance (viola) from Mansfield University and lives in Canton, New York, with his husband D. Jason Bishop, a conductor and composer.

CEO and CoFounder, Illumeworks
Principal Consultant, GoMavi

Honored among the Top 40 Over 40 national nonprofit executives in 2022 by NonprofitPRO, Deniz Taşdemiroğlu Conger, MPA, CFRE, has 25+ years of direct experience leading nonprofits and collaborating with Boards and teams through successful campaigns, and helping organizations raise over US$500M in philanthropic commitments.

Deniz has been a CFRE since 2015. Her experience includes work at Henry Ford Health System, Oregon Health & Science University, and Pacific Northwest College of Art, and she also worked in federal government agencies and constituent relations for a U.S. Senator and recently served as interim head of school and executive director roles. She is the founder of illumeworks, a social impact tech startup launching in 2023, to build nonprofit capacity and a collaborative community of nonprofits and consultants to problem-solve for our world’s biggest challenges.

Deniz's interests in community building, cultural engagement, and volunteering started early in her life as a first-generation Turkish American growing up in a cultural community of Metro Detroit. Deniz is a University of Michigan and Oakland University alumna with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science, environmental policy, and public and government administration.

Director of Development
Memorial Medical Center Foundation

With over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, Josué E. Hernández, MA, CFRE, currently serves as Director of Development at Memorial Medical Center Foundation, the philanthropic arm of MemorialCare’s Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. Here, he has led the development and launch of the hospital’s first branded grateful patient program in recent history, demonstrating his innovative and forward-thinking approach to philanthropy.

In a previous role at Huntington Hospital, Josué spearheaded a successful employee giving program where he exceeded the ambitious goal of 20% participation—nearly triple the usual average. He also launched a year-end matching challenge grant that raised more than $600,000 for Huntington’s Heart and Vascular Center, surpassing all previous records.

Josué earned his CFRE credential in 2021, a Master of Arts in Leadership in 2015, and is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was named one of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy’s (AHP) 40 Under 40 in 2022, and a Blackbaud Diversity Scholar by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Josué is actively involved with several professional organizations, including Southern California Association for Healthcare Development (SCAHD) where he chairs the Marketing and Communications Committee, and AHP.

Director of Development
King's College

Phillip Rothwell, MBA, CFRE, has worked in fundraising for 18 years: First, in higher education at the University of Warwick and London Business School; then, leading development in independent schools, including the Warwick Schools Foundation and King’s College, Taunton. He has served as a trustee of the Institute for Development Professionals in Education (IDPE) and as a Governor at a state academy school.

Phillip gained his CFRE in 2015, has served as the UK CFRE Ambassador, and is a regular speaker and contributor on best practices in the UK fundraising sector. He holds a BA in Theology and Religion from the University of Durham and an MBA from Durham University Business School.

President & CEO
Irving Schools Foundation

Since 2012, Crystal Scanio, CFRE, CEFL, has served as President and CEO of the Irving Schools Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting students and teachers in Irving ISD.

Prior to her work in education philanthropy, Crystal held leadership roles in the financial and insurance industries. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business from Texas Tech University and a Certificate in Financial Planning from Southern Methodist University. She earned her CFRE in 2017 and Certified Education Foundation Leader (CEFL) in 2018.

Deeply committed to community service, Crystal currently serves on the Irving Police Academy Advisory Board, the Medical City Las Colinas Hospital Board, and is the President of the National Association of Education Foundations. Recognized for her leadership and service, she has received honors such as Latino Leaders Magazine’s “Top 25 Young Latino Leaders in DFW,” the National Diversity Ambassador Award from Nissan Americas, and the “Hometown Hero” Award from Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne

Crystal grew up around the world, an upbringing that shaped her global perspective and instilled a deep appreciation for diverse cultures. Along the way, she learned several languages, including Arabic, Spanish, Russian, and Bahasa Indonesian. Today, she brings that global outlook to her work while remaining deeply committed to making a local impact.

President & CEO
Association of Fundraising Professionals

A respected leader in the nonprofit sector, H. Art Taylor brings decades of experience in philanthropy, governance, and nonprofit accountability. He most recently served for 23 years as president and CEO of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, where he championed charity transparency and ethical fundraising practices, spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives in donor trust and technology, and established himself as a leading voice in nonprofit leadership.

Art's career reflects a deep commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector. Under his leadership at the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, he expanded charity evaluations, introduced the Accredited Charity Seal as a symbol of trustworthiness, and launched innovative tools such as AskGive.org and GiveSafely.io to empower donors and enhance charitable giving. His dedication to fostering collaboration among nonprofits has led to the creation of vital resources like the Give.org Donor Trust Report and Advancing Collaboration, shaping best practices in the sector. Art has also shared his expertise as a lecturer at Columbia University and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.  

Beyond his leadership in nonprofit accountability, Art has played a critical role in advancing ethical fundraising practices, donor trust, and nonprofit impact. He is the creator and host of The Heart of Giving Podcast, a nationally recognized show that explores the transformative power of generosity and service, featuring conversations with philanthropic leaders, donors, and change-makers. He also co-authored The Overhead Myth letters, challenging misconceptions about nonprofit efficiency, and collaborated with GuideStar and Independent Sector to create Charting Impact, a framework to help charities communicate their effectiveness. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, he has testified before Congress, contributed to numerous media outlets, and served on boards for organizations such as Franklin & Marshall College, the Salvation Army National Advisory Board, and the Mobile Giving Foundation.

Partner
Brakeley Fundraising Consultants

Of her more than 25 years in fundraising, Astrid Von Soosten, CFRE, has worked as a frontline fundraiser on both sides of the Atlantic, working initially for a private school and later as Senior Development Director for the University of California. For many years, she has specialized in major donor fundraising and strategy development. She obtained her initial CFRE certification in 2008, and is trained as a Somatic Coach, offering leadership coaching and training to executives in the for- and non-profit sectors.

Astrid is currently a partner at Brakeley Fundraising Consultants GmbH in Munich, Germany, as well as a leadership coach at Week53 Executive Leadership Development. Previously, she served as a board member at Deutscher Fundraising Verband and the European Fundraising Association’s board. In addition to her current mandate at CFRE, she is also a board member of the Resource Alliance.

Her education includes a master’s degree in Chinese Studies (sinology) from the Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität München, as well as a certificate in Modern and Classical Literature/Chinese Studies from Fudan University.

Executive Director, Strategic Philanthropy
Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation

Judy Zhu, CFRE, is a visionary leader with over 16 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, specializing in strategic philanthropy and community engagement. In her current role as Executive Director of Strategic Philanthropy at the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, she leads transformative healthcare initiatives and cultivates impactful donor relationships.

With a robust background in senior leadership roles across healthcare and higher education charities, Judy has a proven record of driving significant philanthropic success. As a first-generation immigrant from China, Judy brings a profound commitment to diversity and equity, leveraging her extensive experience and bilingual abilities to navigate and bridge cultural differences effectively.

Certified as CFRE since 2020 and recognized as a CFRE Ambassador in Canada, Judy holds an MBA from the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University. Her expertise was recently highlighted through her presentation at the AHP Convene Canada conference.

Judy also serves as Vice-President of Partnership Initiatives on the AFP Greater Vancouver Chapter Board. Her leadership continues to inspire and mobilize donors and community partners to support meaningful causes.