As fundraising professionals, we know how deeply necessary ethical fundraising practices are to build confidence and trust. That said, we have all encountered circumstances that were questionable at best. Maybe it was an action/behavior taken by a donor, a corner cut by a boss, or a gift received under false pretenses. Join us as a panel of nonprofit leaders share the best ways you can address these sticky and daunting predicaments. Please consider sharing your dilemma or question and we will have an opportunity to gain advice as you pose some of your toughest, and SPOOKY, nonprofit ethical dilemmas.

Click here to submit. Don't be startled, all entries are anonymous, and we ask that you refrain from using names of people/organizations.

Buffet lunch will be served. Register by October 21, 2025.

Panel of Speakers / Presenters

Jane McIntyre Barghothi
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advancement
The University of Tennessee

Jane McIntyre Barghothi is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advancement at the University of Tennessee leading the Regional, Planned, and Corporate Philanthropy teams. Jane brings a wealth of experience and leadership with 25 years in nonprofit and higher education advancement. Jane most recently served as Vice Chancellor of Advancement at Appalachian State University. Under her leadership, App State achieved its largest fundraising year in history. Jane’s expertise in implementing a comprehensive fundraising metric system increased the App State Foundation’s endowment by 50%.  

Previously, Jane was the Executive Director of Development at the University of Georgia and held fundraising roles at the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business and the University of Wyoming. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Appalachian State University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina. A native of Charlotte, NC, Jane enjoys exploring Knoxville and the East Tennessee mountains. 

Adam Cook, CFRE
Chief Development and Marketing Officer
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital (ETCH)

Adam Cook, Certified Fundraising Executive, serves as Chief Development and Marketing Officer at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital (ETCH). His role engages regional partnerships to better serve the needs of ETCH and further support pediatric patients and families. Adam is a seasoned non-profit executive having also led fundraising, marketing, and government relations initiatives across the Carolinas, and several Midwest states in both large health systems and independent organizations for 20 years. His leadership has aided more than 35 healthcare, education, religious, and human services organizations exceed goals and better serve their missions. Originally from Concord, North Carolina, Adam graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Interpersonal and Organizational Communications. To Adam, faith, family, and fitness are top priorities and Knoxville has been the perfect place to practice these core values with his wife, Amy, and two daughters. “Live your values and look for ways to fit them into everything you do. One ideal fit for me is leading strategies that promote organizations like ETCH that serve the health of children and families across the region.”

Adam is an active member of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, a University of Tennessee Chancelor’s Associate, and board member of the Knoxville Public Building Authority and Knoxville Area Urban League.

Rachel Ford
Chief Executive Officer
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra

Rachel Ford has served as CEO of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra since 2007 where she is responsible for overseeing organizational operations, fundraising and strategic direction for the institution. She has led the Orchestra to financial stability with 18 consecutive years of balanced budgets, successfully shepherded the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, and led partnerships that have deepened the Symphony’s community relationships. 

Previously she served as Executive Director for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra in Iowa, as Public Relations Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and in the marketing department at the University Musical Society in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  

Rachel is a graduate of the League of American Orchestras’ Orchestra Management Fellowship Program, having worked with the Kalamazoo, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Fort Worth and Syracuse symphonies. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan.  

Rachel is active with numerous community groups and currently serves as President of Prime Aquatics and is a member of the Boards of The Joy of Music School and Tennesseans for the Arts. She is President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Knoxville, is a member of the Executive Women’s Association and a graduate of Leadership Knoxville. She is a 2013 recipient of a YWCA Tribute to Women award.