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Please join us on March 24, 2021 from 12:00 PM EST - 1:15 PM EST for Maximizing Support Across Spectrums: a panel discussing maximizing support from the perspectives of a small non-profit, a large non-profit, a donor, and a corporation via Zoom (link available upon ticket purchase).

Panelists include:


Kim Garner, Executive Assistant, Mainline Information Systems, Inc.

For over 24 years, Kim has been the Executive Assistant to Rick Kearney, who is the Chairman and Founder of Mainline Information Systems, Inc. The Tallahassee-based company has more than 400 employees and is a trusted IT solution provider to thousands of customers, including nationally recognized brands.
In addition to managing Rick’s demanding meeting and travel schedule, Kim also supports Mainline’s C-level executives and legal department. She is responsible for the corporate sponsorships and donations and oversees the employee award and special incentive program.

Outside of her Mainline duties, Kim administers the day-to-day operations and financial accounting for Rick’s aviation businesses, as well as his many nonprofit entities. She serves as Vice President and Board Member of The Beatitude Foundation, Inc., a private nonprofit organization that provides support to the community’s most needy: people experiencing homelessness, hunger, and abuse.

Kim personally contributes her time and money to many local charities, especially those that serve young girls by preparing them for life after high school. She is a valued resource to local fundraising professionals and is often sought out for advice and to help make connections.

Furthering her community involvement, Kim was elected by the citizens of St. Marks, Florida to serve on Seat 1 of the St. Marks City Commission. She proudly served from 2017 to 2020 and was instrumental to improving the City’s policies, procedures, and ordinances. Kim recognized the need for her community to connect, so she spearheaded outdoor movie nights, as well as founded the St. Marks Christmas Jubilee, which continues to this day.

Kim is a native Floridian and was born and raised in the historic town of Monticello, Florida. She currently resides in St. Marks, Florida with her husband of over 30 years. She has 2 grown children and enjoys boating, fishing, and spending quality time with her family.


Colette Podgorski, Senior Director of Development, College of Social Work, Florida State University

Treasurer, Colette Podgorski, is currently the Senior Director of Development for University Wide Initiatives and College of Social Work at Florida State University (FSU). Colette received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, N.C. Colette has worked in development for non-profits and higher education for over 15 years. Colette has also worked as a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters (Tallahassee, FL), Florida Medial Association (Tallahassee, FL) and Abuse Prevention Council (Shelby, NC). Colette was honored with Tallahassee Network of Young Professionals' "20 under 40" Golden A.C.E. Award for 2016 in the category of Non-Profit leadership and the 2018 Fundraiser of the Year from Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Big Bend Chapter.  She served on the AFP’s Big Bend board from 2011- 2016 and was the 2015 AFP Big Bend President. One of the primary initiatives during Colette’s term as AFP president was to work closely with other organizations to create a community-wide giving campaign, #BigBendGivesBack centered on #GivingTuesday which is still active and successful. Colette believes philanthropy changes lives and being a development professional is invaluable and humbling because we are given the opportunity to create the “magic” for donors and as a result, they feel good about the philanthropic work they do to make a difference. Colette’s other passions include working out, spending time with her son and cheering on the Seminoles.


Rebecca Kelly-Manders, Founder, REfire Culinary

Rebecca Kelly-Manders is a classically trained chef and has been a professional in the food service industry since 1997. In 2011, she opened the award-winning food truck Street Chefs, and currently, Chef Kelly-Manders is the founder and director of the REfire culinary training program as well as the Food Service Director for the Big Bend Homeless Coalition. She is a 2014 25 Women You Need To Know honoree, the Oasis 2017 Trailblazer award winner, the 2019 Small Business Development Council Community Champion Award winner, the 2019 New Leaders Council Askew Non-Profit Leader Award winner, as well as a devout NY Mets fan and a connoisseur of hamburgers.


Sherrill Ragans, Donor & AFP Big Bend Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy Awardee 2020

Sherrill Williams Ragans came to Florida State University in 1959 after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history from Tift College-now known as Tift College of Mercer University-and a master’s in student personnel from the University of Southern Mississippi.  She spent almost her entire professional career at Florida State University beginning her tenor as a hall director at FSU, later serving as director of Housing and as assistant vice president for Student Affairs.  She retired in 2003 as Associate Vice President for Student Affairs.