AFP/DC Election Candidate Biographies

Officers:

Nancy L. Withbroe, CFRE, (AFP/DC PRESIDENT) is Manager of Consulting Services for CDR Fundraising Group, a company that delivers creative, integrated fundraising services -- from direct response and mission marketing to major gift program development and organizational consulting. Nancy consults with nonprofits such as the Human Rights Campaign and The Marrow Foundation on major gifts, grant seeking, and strategic fundraising planning and implementation. Prior to joining CDR Fundraising Group, Nancy operated her own firm, Withbroe Development Consulting, for eight years. She served on the staffs of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital and TLC-The Treatment and Learning Centers as a fundraiser, program manager and volunteer manager. As a trainer, Nancy has presented at educational events hosted by AFP/DC, AFP/MD, Maryland Nonprofits, the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Capital Planned Giving Council. An active volunteer with AFP/DC, Nancy co-chaired the first two Bridge to Integrated Marketing and Fundraising Conferences. She chaired the education committee for Fundraising Day Washington 2005 and served on the sponsorship committee for National Capital Philanthropy Day in 2006 and 2007. A classically trained singer and lay leader at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, Nancy lives in Takoma Park with her husband and two sons.

Grace Hong (AFP/DC IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT) is Director of Development at Children's National Medical Center. Her prior positions include Director of Annual Giving at Washington Hospital Center Foundation, and Development Associate at the Levine School of Music. Grace has been an active volunteer with AFP/DC since 1998, and was co-chair of Fundraising Day Washington 2005. She has served on numerous AFP DC committees including Bridge to Integrated Marketing and Fundraising Conference 2006-2007, National Capital Philanthropy Day 2002-2007, Fundraising Days Washington 2001-2005, AFP/DC Leadership/Nominating Committee in 2004 and 2006-2008. She has served on AFP International Task Forces including AFP Leadership Task Force and Professional Advancement. Grace is also an active pianist and volunteer in the Washington DC area.

Nancy Kelly Racette, CFRE, (AFP/DC PRESIDENT - ELECT) is currently Principal and Chief Operating Officer of Development Resources, inc., a full service consulting firm specializing in helping organizations to manage and address resource generation, vision, leadership and staffing issues. Nancy has worked in the non-profit world for over 20 years, serving in leadership positions at Girl Scouts and the American Red Cross before forming DRi. As principal and COO for DRi, Nancy has provided strategic counsel for such organizations as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, AARP, and World Monuments Fund. She is a graduate of Boston University's School of Public Communications and has attended the Executive Management Program at Harvard University. She is a long time AFP volunteer, and has served on the International Committee on Directorship, the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy Board and is the current Treasurer for AFP in the Washington, DC metro area.

Michelle Powers Keegan (AFP/DC SECRETARY) is Director of Development at the historic Fords Theatre where she is responsible for all fundraising activities including the $50 million Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Campaign the largest and most comprehensive renovation effort in the Theatre's long history. She has over 10 years experience in fundraising and special events and was previously head of Major Gifts at the national headquarters of Volunteers of America, and Individual Giving for the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). She came to Washington from New York City where she worked for the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University and the famous Village Gate jazz club. Ms. Keegan also consulted with several arts organizations in New York including The Ensemble Studio Theatre and New York Performance Works; and worked as a Special Assistant to one of NYC's top wedding and event planners, Marcy Blum. She is originally from Portland, Maine, holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Southern Maine, and is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She is also an accomplished professional actress and singer. She is lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband Michael.

David Whitehead (AFP/DC TREASURER) is senior vice president and chief development officer for AARP and AARP Foundation. He is responsible for all fundraising efforts that support charitable, advocacy and programmatic initiatives that help improve the quality of life for all of us as we age, particularly those that are in danger of having insufficient resources in the second half of life. Prior to joining AARP, David was the chief development officer for Special Olympics, Inc. the largest organization in the world supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. Prior to Special Olympics, Mr. Whitehead worked for The Nature Conservancy as its director of philanthropy and chief fundraising officer. He was responsible for leading The Campaign for Conservation, a five-year effort that raised over $1.4 billion, the largest campaign for conservation in history and considered to be the first billion dollar effort undertaken by a non-educational institution (NonProfit Times, April 2000). He currently serves as a board member of the Washington D.C. Metro Area Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Providence Players, a community theatre company.

Brooks Kenny (AFP/DC VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS) serves as President of Promoting Public Causes, Inc.™ (PPC) — a consulting firm that has provided communications and marketing expertise and training to organizations whose programs and services benefit society since 1991. She has implemented cause marketing programs for such companies as Fannie Mae and Wyeth as well as developed communications and branding approaches for nonprofit organizations such as Capital Hospice, the National Family Caregivers Association, the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, the Washington Hospital Center, and more. Brooks believes that her work at PPC is an extension of her passion for Doing Good Works™, and as a result, volunteers her time in the community. She has chaired National Capital Philanthropy Day, is a member of the Council of Advisors of a local nonprofit, which provides affordable housing to families, and serves on the Center for Nonprofit Advancement's Washington Post Awards Committee for Excellence in Nonprofit Management.

Valerie T. Broadie (AFP/DC VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION) is a development professional with 24 years experience. Broadie has worked for a variety of non-profit organizations including the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Maryland College Park, Howard and Morgan State Universities, Penn Medical Center and Children's National Medical Center (CNMC). In 2005 Broadie established her own consulting company, Valerie T. Broadie Fundraising Counsel. She joined Campbell & Company in 2007 as a Senior Consultant in their Washington, DC office. Broadie's consulting clients have included Catholic Charities Foundation, America's Promise, Trinity's Foundation for Children with Special Needs, the National Health Museum, Kingsbury Center, the National Audubon Society, Communities In Schools, and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Broadie has served as a board member, speaker and volunteer for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), National Capital Gift Planning Council and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Duke Law School, Broadie also serves as a life member of the Law School's Board of Visitors.

Marshall H. Ginn, CFRE, (AFP/DC VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP) is a consultant with more than 20 years of experience in the field of nonprofit fundraising. Marshall is the founder and principal of Capital Development Strategies, a consulting firm based in Arlington. His firm's clients include local, regional and national organizations. In 2001, Marshall co-chaired Fundraising Days Washington and was the sole conference chair in 2002. He has served on the Board of AFP/DC since 2003. Over the years he has served on numerous AFP/DC committees and task forces, and he is currently the vice president for education. He is active with the Association of Philanthropic Counsel (APC) – a nationwide network of consulting firms – and serves on its executive committee. Marshall is also a member of the Selection Committee for The Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. Marshall regularly speaks on fundraising, nonprofit management, board development and stewardship as an invited trainer for local and national clients, as well as at George Mason University, the DC Public Private Partnership Conference, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, the Performance Institute, and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. He is a 1986 graduate of the University of Virginia. Marshall lives in Arlington with Jim, his partner of 18 years, and their golden retriever Jackson.

Lynn M. Croneberger, CFRE, (AFP/DC VICE PRESIDENT OF RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT) is the vice president of Development at Reading Is Fundamental. Croneberger has extensive experience in the field of Development and has used her expertise for numerous nonprofit organizations. Prior to RIF, Lynn served as the chief development officer for Mary's Center in Washington, D.C. In Florida, she was executive director for the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation and Memorial Foundation; the director of development with the United Way of Broward County; and the executive director of the American Heart Association. Croneberger also worked in development for the Memphis, Tenn., chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In 2004, Ms. Croneberger won the Fort Lauderdale AFP Chapter's, NPD Outstanding Fundraising Executive of the year award. Ms. Croneberger actively served the Fort Lauderdale/Broward Chapter of AFP in several capacities for several years as newsletter editor, VP of Communications, 2003 National Philanthropy Day chair and President in 2005. Currently she serves on the Board of the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and chaired the National Capital Philanthropy Day in November 2007.

Board of Directors Nominees:

Jaye M. Lopez has over a decade of not-for-profit experience working in various development capacities. Born and raised in suburban Los Angeles, Jaye graduated from the University of Southern California, double majoring in English and Gender Studies. After graduating, Jaye worked for a magazine in advertising sales, before moving on to work in corporate relations and major gifts for the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. While there, Jaye was responsible for developing and implanting strategies to increase first year major donor retention rates and outreaching to area businesses and professional. Jaye moved to Washington, DC, joining the staff of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) in the spring of 1999 as a fundraising event manager. While there, Jaye managing over 55 events annually, including gala dinner, amateur golf tournaments and theater benefits. Jaye joined the staff of the American Constitution Society (ACS) in June 2004, heading up their membership program. Since arriving at ACS, Jaye has helped develop and implement a major gifts program, a recurring gifts program and a new online payment system. In addition to overseeing all aspects of membership renewal, direct mail and online giving, he also manages logistics for ACS's annual 900 person convention in Washington, DC.

Dayna Kuhar is the Director of Leadership Giving for Inova Health System Foundation and has held this position for the past three years. In this position, she cultivates, secures donations, and stewards $25,000 plus major gift donors. She has over sixteen years of successful development experience with special events, major and planned giving. She has worked at both national and local non-profit organizations including The Salvation Army, American Diabetes Association, and Volunteers of America. This past year Dayna coached a Leadership Fairfax team that organized a program day on mental health in Fairfax County. She is also a board member of Art Enables, a non-profit arts organization that works with mentally and developmentally challenged adults to create and sell art. Dayna brings enthusiasm and passion to the development profession and her development skills will be an asset to the AFP/DC board. She would like to strengthen an already successful chapter and help our members strive for excellence in their profession.

Barbara Ramundo is Executive Vice President in DHR International's Nonprofit Practice Group. DHR is a leading, privately-held provider of executive search solutions including executive search, management assessment, and succession planning services. Previously, Ms. Ramundo was Vice President of a boutique-style executive search firm devoted exclusively to serving the nonprofit sector. Before entering the search industry, she spent over 20 years in nonprofit management, fundraising/development, and nonprofit consulting. As a nonprofit professional, Ms. Ramundo held positions as Executive Director, Director of Development, Planned Giving Officer, and Program Director. As a nonprofit consultant, she provided services including grant writing, funding research, writing (direct mail and corporate solicitation letters, brochures, newsletters) capital campaign fundraising, and strategic planning. As an educator, Ms. Ramundo was as a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing in Pennsylvania and Virginia. As the Assistant Handicap Affirmative Action Manager with the U.S. Department of Navy, she worked to integrate deaf students into the work environment, acting as an interpreter, sign language instructor, and trainer. Ms. Ramundo holds a B.A. (University of Maryland) and a M.Ed. in Deaf Education (McDaniel College). She serves as board treasurer for Harmony Montessori Center and is a member of the Human Resource Association, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and the Planned Giving Roundtable. She volunteers with Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation, Beaumont Hospital's Pediatric Cancer Survivor Scholarship Program and AFP/DC's Diversity Committee.

Michael Wojcik, CFRE, is a fundraising professional and community volunteer. A Senior Major Gift Officer for the American Red Cross, he helps passionate donors realize their philanthropic interests. He previously managed corporate and foundation fundraising for the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago and held several other fundraising positions prior. A native Chicagoan, Michael moved to Washington DC on New Year's Day 2007. Now settled, he is growing connected to this community. In Chicago Michael served on the AFP Board. He co-chaired the corporate and foundation track of the 2006 Midwest Conference on Philanthropy and served in the 2007 AFP Awards Luncheon Committee. Michael is the immediate past co-chair of The Chicago Community Trust's Young Leaders Fund. He helped establish the Chicago Associates Board President's Council and is a past board member with Help Ease Local Poverty (HELP) a nonprofit organization that partners with top Chicago restaurants to prepare and serve hot meals to homeless individuals and families weekly. Michael holds a masters degree from the DePaul University School of Public Service and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive. He looks forward to once again serving AFP members.

Neil Alpert is the Director of Institutional Relations at the Washington National Opera (WNO). WNO is considered to be one of the top five opera companies in the United States and is headed by General Director Plácido Domingo. In his role, Neil is responsible for overseeing the department which raises funds for the opera from the corporate, foundation, government and international communities. Prior to joining WNO, Neil was the National Campaign Director at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). As the National Campaign Director Neil oversaw a regional staff of 115 housed in 18 offices throughout the United States and Israel. In this capacity Neil was responsible for ensuring that AIPAC reached its fundraising goals, which in FY07 were roughly $60 million. During Neil's time at AIPAC, the group exceeded its fundraising goals by more than 14%. Neil has served in a number of other fundraising roles ranging from the Red Cross to the American Cancer Society. Neil is involved with a number of charities; including being on the host committee for the largest fundraising event of the DC Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the board of the Miss DC as well as various local charities.