Laura has over 40 years of experience in fundraising and philanthropy. Her media and communications background informed her storytelling ability for hundreds of nonprofit clients, with fundraising skills sharpened during The Ohio State University's first billion-dollar campaign. In 2000, Laura founded Benefactor Group, serving nonprofits for 25 years by helping organizations fuel their cause with powerful fundraising, people, and systems. A frequent speaker and published thought leader, Laura's insights have appeared in Advancing Philanthropy, Nonprofit Quarterly, Forbes.com, The New York Times, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy. She authored The Endowment Handbook (Wiley, 2024) and has served with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Giving Institute, and Giving USA Foundation, where she was board chair from 2020-2022.
(Co-Writer) Lisa Novick is a communications executive specializing in philanthropic initiatives in the nonprofit, private and public sectors. She serves as Strategic Advisor at Dog Tag Inc., a nonprofit that helps veterans, spouses, and caregivers transition from military to civilian careers. She is a board member of The ALX Dog Walk.
Megan, who joined Benefactor Group in 2016, leads the firm’s communications practice. She helps nonprofit causes to articulate worthy visions, tell their stories in compelling ways, and create sophisticated materials that inspire supporters to action. Always curious about industry best practices, Megan has written for publications such as Nonprofit Quarterly, serves on the board for the Giving USA Foundation, andchairs the Giving USA Editorial Review Board.
Prior to joining Benefactor Group, Megan served as an editor at a publishing house, as well as worked in financial services. Megan graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University, where she was an Eminence Fellow and a member of the honor society Phi Beta Kappa.
Michael is VP of Nonprofit Success at LifeLegacy. He brings decades of expertise from major gifts and planned giving to development leadership. He’s stewarded million dollar gifts while championing loyal $100 donations. With graduate degrees in business and education, a CFRE certification, and a track record of success, Michael is a trusted expert and passionate advocate for donor relationships. He helps nonprofits craft legacies that honor donor values and drive missions forward, delivering long-term results.
Mike is a fundraising consultant, mentor, and coach dedicated to helping small to midsize nonprofits achieve sustainable growth. He takes the time to understand each organization’s unique needs, collaborating with them to develop custom solutions and innovative strategies that enhance fundraising effectiveness. Mike provides coaching, strategic planning, and campaign support to his clients. With his CFRE certification, he combines expertise and passion to empower nonprofits and help them thrive.
Dr. Orletta Caldwell is a nonprofit strategist, educator, and founder of Beyond Existing Enterprises and The Urban Nonprofit. With over 35 years of experience supporting Black-led organizations, she is the author of You Got Your 501(c)(3) ... Now What? and the forthcoming Legacies of Persistence: The Invisible History of African American Nonprofits. Learn more at beyondexisting.com and urbannonprofit.com.
Patrick is PlannedGiving.Com’s Senior Editor of Content, Communications, and Storytelling. He is also the Executive Editor of GIVING magazine, where he helps bring you powerful, inspirational, and educational stories from the nonprofit sector. An author, editor, and marketing communications professional with deep roots in journalism, Patrick works closely with nonprofits to craft compelling, mission-driven narratives that inform, inspire, and drive action. Learn more at Patrickfodonnell.com.
Dr. James is a professor at Texas Tech University specializing in charitable financial planning. A former college president and planned giving director, he has published extensively on philanthropy. His research is widely recognized, earning him induction into the Charitable Gift Planners' Hall of Fame.
Physician, Philanthropist, Nonprofit Innovator.Dr. Sanjay Bindra is a board-certified Cardiac Electrophysiologist with over two decades of experience diagnosing and treating complex heart rhythm disorders. He holds multiple certifications from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Disease, and Internal Medicine. Dr. Bindra is widely recognized for his leadership in social impact and sustainable philanthropy. He is the President, Co-Founder, and Board Chair of GOSUMEC Foundation USA, a zero-overhead 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports need- and merit-based medical students in India. Under his leadership, the foundation established the first endowment in India for medical education. In 2025, he launched The GIVE Study, a groundbreaking 12-month, real-time study exploring how small, volunteer-run nonprofits can achieve recurring donor growth through behavioral design, trust, and technology—without paid staff or traditional fundraising expenses..
Shama Shams, CFRE, is the founder of Case for Support Consulting, a nonprofit strategist with over 20 years of experience, and a published author. She specializes in fundraising, strategic planning, marketing, and board development. Shama has led million-dollar campaigns, built high-performing teams, and secured transformational gifts for nonprofits of all sizes. She is also the host of the podcast From Passion to Purpose, where she amplifies the voices of nonprofit leaders and changemakers. Shama also teaches at North Seattle College and Edmonds College, on nonprofit board development, storytelling, and fundraising. She presented at various conferences and webinars throughout the country. Through her work, Shama empowers mission-driven organizations to grow sustainably while honoring the communities they serve with dignity, equity, and purpose.
