Speakers
Fifth Annual NSFA National Conference
Chicago: April 7-9, 2010
Funding & Support”
| Keynote Speakers | |
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Don Shalvey, Ed.D. Deputy Director Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Speaker Topic: "Foundations: Difference Maker’s In the Interest of Youth" Foundations, whether large or small, national or local, tightly focused or wide spread aims, are essential to advancing the dreams, hopes and ambitions of youth and educators. Foundations can inspire grantees to create, invent and bring to life, solutions that benefit schools and society. How does the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation advance the number of college ready graduates in this country? How does a foundation determine its focus and impact? These and other questions will be focus of Don Shalvey’s remarks as he illustrates the differences foundations make.
Bio: Don Shalvey leads grant making for states, districts and networks throughout the United States. Prior to joining the foundation, Don was the founder and CEO of Aspire Public Schools and has spent the past 40 years in public education where he is widely recognized as a leader in public school reform and the charter school movement. In 1992, Don served as the Superintendent of San Carlos School District, where he sponsored the first charter school in California. In 1998, Don and entrepreneur Reed Hastings, co-founded Californians for Public School Excellence, a grass-roots organization that led to the passage of the Charter Schools Act of 1998, which lifted the cap on the number of charter schools in the state. Don earned a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership/Administration from the University of Southern California, a Masters of Education in Counseling and Guidance from Gonzaga University and a B.A. from LaSalle College. |
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Bob Thacker Senior VP of Marketing/Advertising, OfficeMax
Speaker Topic: "A Day Made Better" Program
Bio: Bob Thacker joined OfficeMax in late 2005, bringing a strong background in marketing and brand development. Bob gave voice to this strategy with, “Don’t Make Ads, Make News!”, a directive that generated highly successful, highly efficient marketing campaigns.
Bob’s career prior to joining OfficeMax includes being President/CEO of BBDO Minneapolis, and as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Sears. In the retail industry, Bob is renowned as the man who brought Michael Graves to Target. As Vice President of Marketing for Target (1989-98) Bob was responsible for launching the Target brand in new markets and successfully achieved tremendous brand reception. Bob’s work with Michael Graves Design Group started the wave of new partnerships with other companies and properties which were marketed exclusively at Target, and brought Target to a new level of consumer loyalty and national recognition as one of the true passion brands in American retailing Bob’s awards include the American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal as Minnesota’s Man of the Year in 2001. He was twice selected by Advertising Age as one of the Top 100 marketers in the Nation. Bob has also been elected to the Retail Hall of Fame, and also selected by Advertising Age as one of 24 top media authorities in the industry. Bob has lectured extensively in the United States, Europe, Australia and Africa. Recently he was profiled in BusinessWeek and other business publications.
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| Pre-Conference Speakers | |
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Dave Sternberg Fudraising Professional Partner, Loring Sternberg & Associates
Speaker Topic: "Increasing Alumni and Donor Support for your K-12 Foundation"
Bio: Dave has been a fundraising professional since obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree from The Ohio State University in 1991. A member of the faculty at The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University’s Fund Raising School – where he teaches and conducts customized training programs both nationally and internationally.
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Suzanne Mineck Planned Giving Consultant, The Stelter Company
Speaker Topic: "Starting a Planned Giving Program for your Foundation"
In this session, planned giving consultant, Suzanne Mineck, will share the essential components you need to run and grow a successful gift planning program. Participants will discuss the following:
· Resources needed to set up a program
· Marketing best practices
· How to find and prioritize gift planning prospects
· Donor cultivation and stewardship strategies
· Setting realistic goals and managing expectations
Bio: Suzanne Mineck is a planned giving consultant for The Stelter Company, a leading source for gift planning marketing for the nonprofit community. With more than 15 years of experience in fundraising, she is a recognized expert on what it takes to run a successful development office. Suzanne shares with national audiences proven strategies on the subjects of planned giving, marketing and attracting major gifts. She facilitates planned giving seminars and works one-on-one consulting and providing strategic planning for organizations ranging widely in size, mission and sophistication.
Before joining The Stelter Company, Suzanne was the senior director of gift planning for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. At St. Jude, she managed the Major Gifts and Foundation departments, determining strategic direction and overseeing major prospect research, development and marketing. She has also held positions with the American Cancer Society, the University of Iowa, the University of Memphis and Hutchison School.
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Millie Christner & Laurie Cromwell Foundation Innovation, Founders and Principal Consultants
Speaker Topic: "Stuck? Moving Your Foundation from Simply Existing to Thriving All non-profits transition through stages that either propel them forward or pull them back. By utilizing researched-based best practices, higher education advancement techniques, and outcomes-based initiatives, you can help establish a perpetual partner organization that will benefit your district for years to come. This session will explore the key steps necessary to develop a successfull and sustainable education foundation:
Bios: Laurie Cromwell began working in the non-profit field in 1984. In 1999, Ms. Cromwell was elected as trustee of a local school district and served as President for three years. During this time, she was appointed President of a dormant education foundation and was an instrumental partner in its revitalization. Success was realized in less than six months. Ms. Cromwell’s experience as a lead administrator in a non-profit organization, current owner of a for-profit corporation, former trustee and Foundation President bring a unique prospective of philanthropic issues. Ms. Cromwell was elected Citizen of the Year in 2002 and serves as a founding board member for a local Chamber of Commerce. In 2008, Ms. Cromwell was appointed to by the City Council to serve on the Economic Development Corporation and currently serves a President. Dr. Milli Christner is a seasoned development professional with more than 15 years experience in nonprofit administration and K-12 philanthropy. Dr. Christner has served as the Executive Director of Fort Bend ISD, Round Rock ISD and Hays CISD Education Foundations and the Galveston Arts Center. She also gained university advancement experience serving as Associate Director of Corporate Relations for the Engineering Foundation at the University of Texas. She is currently acting as co-principal investigator for a research study that will benchmark the work, scope and impact of local education foundations. As an educator, administrator, development officer, and researcher, Dr. Christner brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in nonprofit governance, K12 philanthropy and school/community engagement.
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Alan C. Zacharias, ABD MBA CFRE & Salvatore F. Polizzotto Gonser Gerber Tinker Stuhr LLP, Consultant
Speaker Topic: "Board Building: Roles, Responsibilities, Recruitment and Training" This session will address elements vital to building and strengthening the role of the K-12 Foundation Board. Topics include: defining the responsibilities of Board members and leadership; governance and committee structure; recruiting, training and retaining superb Board talent; and the Board’s role in strategic planning, annual giving, campaigns, major and planned gifts, and building endowment. The interactive format will allow participants to discover practical applications from proven and new ideas. Bios: Alan C. Zacharias, MBA CFRE is a consultant with GGTS, and works with a variety of non-profit organizations to build strong boards, advancement programs, and enhance long-term financial success. Prior to joining GGTS, Alan spent almost 20 years in higher education advancement at the vice presidential level in California, Illinois, and Missouri. Alan completed his undergraduate degree at Murray State University, his MBA at Dominican University, and is a PhD. Candidate at the University of Missouri. Salvatore Polizzotto has been a Partner with GGTS since 1984. Sal has previously served as a teacher, chief development officer and Board member of several institutions. A frequent speaker and, through GGTS, a sponsor of the Association of Governing Boards. His work often involves education, training, and leadership development for Board of Trustees. Sal serves his alma mater as Chair of the Committee on Trustees and has served on the Board since 1991. |
| Conference Speakers | |
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Kenneth Arndt, PhD Superintendent, Community Unit School District #300
Speaker Topic: "Why a K-12 Foundation Has Helped My District" Learn from a practicing superintendent of a large and very diverse public school district located in the Chicago northwest suburbs why the D300 Foundation for Educational Excellence has proven to be an effective and highly respected organization. Gain practical advice on some of the lessons learned, successes and mistakes to avoid. Lastly discover how resources obtained by the D300 Foundation has enhanced, enriched and supplemented learning activities for thousands of students.
Bio: Kenneth M. Arndt began as the Community Unit School District 300 superintendent in April 2001 leading the District through the principles of collaboration and transformational leadership. Prior to District 300, Dr. Arndt was superintendent of School in Decatur, Illinois, from 1990 to 2001. During that time, the Decatur News Herald recognized him as a “Top Leader of Today and Tomorrow.” In 2005 he was recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education as an administrator for, “Those Who Excel.” District 300 Schools currently has over 20,000 students within 28 schools. Dr. Arndt earned his PhD. In Administration from the University of Toledo. |
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Brett Pawlowski President, DeHavilland Associates
Speaker Topic" "Business/Education Partnerships 101: Essential Steps to Building Great Programs" This presentation will take participants step by step through the process of building a strong and sustainable partnership-driven education program. Topics include getting started: partnership principles; the asset inventory; program design; measurement and evaluation; and sustainability.
Bio: Brett Pawlowski, president of DeHavilland Associates, has helped dozens of clients create effective education outreach initiatives; he has also launched industry initiatives including the K-12 Partnership Report, Business/Education Partnership Forum, the Effective Education Partnerships Conference, and a collection of resources including white papers, guides, and survey reports on the subject of community/school partnerships. |
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Lynne Grasz President/CEO, Grasz Communications
Speaker Topic: "Principles of Successful Marketing" Practical advice to reach multiple audiences through effective public relations and marketing strategies in an evolving technological revolution. Will discuss trends, opportunities, use of case studies and time for Q&A. Bring your project and ideas for brainstorming.
Bio: National PR for International Quilt Study Center and Museum, generating over $1,000,000 worth of publicty and over a million impressions. National PR and bookings for Columbia Journalism Review. National PR and editorial coordination for 12-book children's series, University of Nebraska Press. |
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Randall Hallett Executive Director of Development, Nebraska Medical Center
Speaker Topic: "Key Legal and Organizational Decisions for Non-Profits" While relationships are the hallmark of success in fundraising, infrastructure and legalities are the underpinning of compliance and good practice. Over the past couple of years, the IRS and state agencies have made large changes to reporting requirements which has led to questions by executives and board members. In four (4) major areas, this presentation will address issues that will help foundation execs and board members be prepared for these challenges and staying out of trouble.
Bio: Professionally, Randall currently oversees the philanthropic endeavors of The Nebraska Medical Center, a $1 billion dollar, 5000 employee organization serving the health care needs of Omaha, Nebraska, the country and around the world; Previously, he spent 12 years in private secondary education fundraising overseeing all aspects of fundraising including capital campaigns of $40 million and $25 million respectively. Randall also has been a TV and radio announcer for men's and women's college basketball as well as being a former press box announcer for the Kansas City Chiefs. Educationally, Randall is completing his doctorate in educational leadership and public policy at the University of Saint Thomas studing public secondary fundraising. He received his juris doctorate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He also has completed a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Randall is a graduate from the University of Nebraska-Omaha with a bachelors in Business. He is accredited with his CFRE
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Darrell Slabaugh Board Chair, Texas School Foundation Association, Consultant
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