Conference Speakers

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

JESS BACKOFEN
Executive Director, University Hospital Foundation

Jessica Backofen is a results-driven nonprofit leader with more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy and health equity. She currently serves as Executive Director of the University Hospital Foundation, where she partners with the CEO and Board to strengthen fundraising capacity, increase unrestricted revenue, and lead capital campaign planning. Previously, she held senior roles with JDRF International, Friends of the Children, and the American Cancer Society, consistently driving revenue growth and community impact.

LAURA FREDRICKS
Author, Speaker, Consultant, Trainer

Laura Fredricks, JD, a proud Rutgers alum and “Jersey Girl,” trains and coaches individuals, businesses, and nonprofits on How to ASK. She has raised more than $1 billion for clients, drawing on successful careers in law and philanthropy. Her “Five Laws on Asking” and six books have guided hundreds of global executives, boards, fundraisers, and philanthropists to achieve their goals simply by asking. Her latest, Hard Asks Made Easy: How to Get Exactly What You Want, is Amazon’s #1 book for Business Mentoring and Coaching.

 

Before launching her consulting career, Laura served as Assistant Vice President at Temple University during its $300 million campaign and Vice President of Philanthropy at Pace University during its $100 million campaign after 9/11. She has received AFP NYC’s Ralph E. Chamberlain Award for leadership in fundraising and the New York Nonprofit Network’s 50 Over 50 Award for excellence in media and philanthropy.

LORI FUNICELLO
Founder & Philanthropic Adviser, IMPACT Philanthropic Partners

Lori Funicello, CFRE, is Director of Planned Giving at the Kean University Foundation, leading efforts to secure and steward legacy and principal gifts that strengthen the university’s mission. A development professional with more than two decades of experience, she has held senior fundraising roles in higher education and healthcare. Lori earned degrees from SUNY New Paltz and Teachers College, Columbia University, and serves on the board of the New Jersey Council of Charitable Gift Planners.

JEFF GRANDY, M.ED.
Vice President of Client Development, Catapult Fundraising

Jeff Grandy, M.Ed, brings over 15 years of nonprofit leadership and fundraising strategy experience. He currently serves as Vice President of Client Development at Catapult Fundraising, where he supports organizations across the Greater Gulf Coast in building sustainable fundraising infrastructures. Jeff currently serves as the Immediate Past President of AFP Texas Coastal Bend and is a current member of the Planned Giving Council of San Antonio. He is deeply committed to ethical fundraising and embedding IDEA principles into philanthropic practice.

MARCY HEIM
President, The Artful Asker 

Marcy Heim lives to inspire generosity and transformation! She’s a resilient, risk-taker who knows her mind and knows her stuff when it comes to building success in your fundraising... and your life! A donor-centric major giving expert, Marcy also holds AFP Master Teacher, CFRE, and Professional Life Coach (PLCC - UW Madison) credentials. She’s received numerous awards including the prestigious CASE Crystal Apple and AFP Outstanding Fundraising Professional.  Her book, Empowering Your Board to Serve as Effective Development Ambassadors, is a go-to resource for non-profit boards and staff alike. For over twenty years she led her team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison through three successful campaigns including the $1.8 Billion Create-the-Future Campaign. For the past decade, she has empowered her clients to transform their major giving results through authentic, artful giving relationships and Ask for Anything Artfully with her 3-sentence tool. Her talks are peppered with original tunes you won’t be able to get out of your head! SHINE ON with Marcy!

DANIEL HENKEL
Founder, Ironclad Leadership Institute

Daniel Henkel is the founder of the Ironclad Leadership Institute and an active federal law enforcement officer. A U.S. Navy veteran, former union president, and lifelong public servant, he forged his leadership style in the furnace of crisis, conflict, and change. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration and is completing a Doctorate in Executive Leadership.

JACQUELINE HOUSE, MBA, CFRE
VP Communications, & Community Engagement, Safe Children Coalition

Jacqueline House, CFRE, is Vice President of Communications and Community Engagement at Safe Children Coalition in Sarasota, FL. With two decades in fundraising, marketing, and communications, she has served organizations including Girl Scouts, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Goodwill, and Women in Distress. Jacqueline has rebuilt development and marketing departments, led a capital campaign, and authored House Rules for New Leaders and Managers. She also owns YourFundraisingCoach.org, a boutique coaching firm helping nonprofits launch and sustain annual campaigns. She holds a B.A. in Communications from UCF and an MBA from Hodges University.

GARY LAERMER
Senior Consultant, DBD Group

Gary Laermer, Senior Consultant, DBD Group, is an experienced nonprofit and fundraising professional who brings a unique perspective from leading organizations and collaborating with campaign consultants. He understands what nonprofit leaders need from a trusted advisor and partner. Gary has developed campaigns securing transformational gifts up to eight figures. He has held senior roles with YMCAs, the Boy Scouts of America, two major New York medical centers, and Pace University.

JOIE M. LANGFORD, CFRE
VP Strategic Philanthropy, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey and Founder, SHADES Consulting LLC

Joie M. Langford, CFRE, is a strategic fundraising leader with nearly a decade of experience guiding nonprofits toward sustainable growth. She has raised more than $15 million by cultivating donor relationships, designing data-informed campaigns, and leading high-performing teams. Joie serves as Vice President of Strategic Philanthropy at Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey and is Founder of SHADES Consulting LLC, advancing equity-centered fundraising solutions. She is also an active member of AADO, F3, and WOC.

JENNIFER LUI, CPA, CFA, MBA
VP, Accounting and Operations, Brand K 

Jennifer has diverse experience as an accounting and finance professional. Throughout the course of her career, she has held numerous positions including as an auditor at Arthur Anderson and Vice President at Goldman Sachs. Jennifer most recently served as Chief Administrative Officer for Portfolio BI, an investment management software and services firm. In this role, she oversaw all finance, administrative and human resources functions of the organization. Jennifer is both a CPA and CFA and holds a BS in Accounting and MBA in Finance/Economics from New York University.

LESLIE MARANT, JD, CDE®
Founder & Principal Strategist, The ESP Effect 

Leslie Marant, JD, CDE®, is Founder & Principal Strategist of The ESP Effect, a consulting firm specializing in leadership alignment, equity strategy, and organizational resilience. A strategist, attorney, and certified diversity executive, she previously served as the inaugural Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the Philadelphia Police Department and as Chief Counsel to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Known for her dynamic keynotes and candor, Leslie equips leaders to navigate change with courage and authenticity.

SHAWN MCKAY
Vice President, CCS Fundraising 

Shawn is a Vice President with CCS Fundraising, where he leads transformational capital campaigns, major gift initiatives, and organizational assessments. With nine years at CCS and earlier experience in education and mental health, he partners with nonprofits to design strategies that drive sustainable impact. A graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, Shawn serves on the Advisory Board of Saint Raphael Academy and brings a passion for technology, music, theater, and design to his work.

WILLIAM MILLER
President & CEO, Kean University Foundation

William H. Miller, CFRE, is President and CEO, Kean University Foundation. He is passionate about strengthening nonprofits through fundraising and strategic support. Over his career, he has guided initiatives that have raised more than $1 billion, including major campaigns with CCS, where he served as Executive Director for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh’s $125 million effort, which secured $233 million. Bill has earned multiple awards, including the Robert J. Smythe Award, and is a frequent presenter, author, educator, and advisor to nonprofits worldwide.

PRIYA PACHKAWDE, CPA
Chief Client Officer 

Priya has been instrumental in Brand K’s growth since joining in 2019, enriching client relationships and ensuring exceptional service. She leads teams that deliver timely, accurate financial information and deeply understands client needs. With extensive experience in accounting and financial reporting, she previously served as Director of Finance at The Silverfern Group and began her career as an auditor with Ernst & Young LLP. Priya is a CPA with a B.S. in Business Administration (Accounting) from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

JESSE PARK
President, amplifi

Jesse Park at heart is a marketer and strategist who cares about helping move organizations forward. He has the pleasure of working with a number of leading nonprofits each year, including those involved with battling chronic disease and promoting youth and social services, helping them achieve success and advance their fundraising efforts. As President of amplifi, he has used a data driven approach to improve results and helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars for organizations that make a difference in our communities. 

BILLIEJEAN RING
Master Trainer, BJR Solutions

BillieJean Ring is a leadership and mindset strategist with a passion for helping mission-driven teams thrive without burning out. Drawing from her diverse experience across corporate, nonprofit, and healthcare sectors, BillieJean teaches organizations how to build cultures that retain talent, spark innovation, and keep the heart in fundraising.

She’s presented at national and international conferences including The Business Show London, Southeast Mine Safety & Health Conference, Florida Animal Protection Training Conference, and Hallmark University. Through her company, BJR Solutions, she blends practical tools with powerful storytelling to help professionals reset, refocus, and lead with purpose.

When she’s not speaking or coaching, you’ll find BillieJean creating soul-centered resources that bring light, energy, and strategy to workplaces around the world.



LARA TILLEY-BOUEZ
Senior Vice President, CCS

Lara Tilley-Bouez is Senior Vice President with nearly 20 years of experience across every nonprofit sector. She led transformational change as Director of Advancement at the American School of Paris, spearheading its €10 million campus campaign, and has guided campaigns for 20 Jewish day schools through UJA Federation’s Day School Challenge Fund. A Board Member of AFP New Jersey, Lara is a Northwestern University graduate.




SAMUEL B. YOUNG
Director of Gift Planning, University of Pennsylvania 

Samuel Young began his career practicing law in Texas and New York before transitioning to nonprofits after delivering medical supplies to the Middle East during the Gulf War. He has served as Managing Director of Planned Giving and Strategic Advisor for Compassion & Choices, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest NJ, and held senior development roles at several institutions. Samuel holds a JD, MSW, and dual bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Communications.