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.
Marjorie D. Parker serves as the CEO and President of JobsFirstNYC. She has more than 25 years of experience overseeing adult and youth services initiatives and consulting for nonprofit organizations. She also serves as the current Board Chair of Reconnect NYC and a Board Member at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, CUNY. Marjorie holds a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University, a master’s in public administration from New York University, a Certificate in Executive Education from the Senior Leaders Program at Columbia Business School, and a Certificate in Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management from Harvard Business School.
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.
Rebecca White brings two-plus decades of nonprofit leadership experience as an executive director, program director, board member, and fundraiser to her consulting work. She has led change, launched successful programs, and raised millions. Today, she equips nonprofit leaders to lead well, leave well, and manage transition with confidence.
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.
