Andrea Sok
For nearly 20 years, I’ve helped nonprofits and small businesses tell their stories, reach the right audiences, and make the most of every dollar. I’m a communicator, connector, and brand builder who thrives in “do more with less” environments. I am a UWW alum who now works with local United Ways, nonprofits, and small businesses as a Fractional CMO/CCO.
Ann Fox
Ann held senior major gift positions at local and national levels. She provided major gift leadership at United Way Worldwide. In addition, she has served in executive fund raising positions nationally at the American Red Cross and Planned Parenthood. Currently Ann is consulting a local United Way’s endowment campaign and recently joined the UW NEXT Board of Directors.
Annie Davies
Barb Wentworth
I was on staff at my local United Way for 30 years. Began by creating a countywide volunteer center and overtime took part in every aspect of the organization from community impact, including outcomes evaluation to fundraising to redesigning our business practices. Ultimately, I was president in CEO before retiring in 2020.
Benton Clark
Over 40 years of United Way experience with 20 years as Chief Financial Officer. Experience included areas: Financial Accounting and Reporting - Facilities Management -Pension Plans - Endowments.
Bob Ferriday
Until retirement, Bob was the Chief Financial Officer for the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and continued on a part-time basis leading their planned giving program. He serves as Treasurer for UW NEXT and a as volunteer planned giving mentor and consultant. Bob is deeply involved in helping to redesign UW NEXT’s mentoring and consulting services.
Bonita Duncan
CEO Emeritus of United Way of Hunterdon County, Bonita has passionately and selflessly served Hunterdon County’s families and nonprofit communities for over 25 years. Most recently she is the Chief Experience Officer and has launched Bonita Duncan Consulting providing strategic and capacity building services for nonprofit organizations and their boards. Bonita leads the National United Way Interim Executives Roundtable advancing a national community of trained interim leaders to foster leadership solutions for local United Ways and the nonprofits they support through purposeful engagement, methodical approaches, profound processes and transformative impact. Bonita is a member of UW NEXT serving on the Engage & Exchange Committee and has been a mentor to several UW CEOs. She is a founding member of Impact100 Hunterdon, serves on the Business & Government Committee for the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce, the Partnership for Health and the Hunterdon County Latino Coalition.
Carla Crossno
Carla served as a senior marketing and development executive for United Way of Dade County (Miami) and directed a feasibility study for their $300 million endowment campaign. She was also responsible for organizing the United Way NEXT Major Gift and Planned Giving Alumni 2021 Zoom Reunion. Carla is the Principal with Hatched consulting firm serving non-profit organizations.
Chuck Gordon
Chuck directed a highly successful major gift and planned giving program at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley including successful completion of a $30 million endowment campaign. Today he serves as President and CEO of the New Kensington Group, providing strategic planning, fundraising, board/governance and executive search consulting assistance to nonprofits and foundations. He has held executive positions in several national nonprofit organizations and has served as a member of a UW NEXT planned giving consulting team.
Cicely Strickland-Ruiz
Cicely Strickland-Ruiz serves as the inaugural Chief Strategy Officer at the United Way of Broward County, bringing over two decades of leadership experience in the nonprofit and human service sectors. She oversees the Resource Development Team, Marketing & Communications Team, and Internal Strategic Planning, driving strategies that enhance revenue streams, optimize business practices, training, development and strengthen organizational effectiveness—all with the overarching mission of transforming lives and creating meaningful community impact. A native of Rochester, NY, Strickland-Ruiz earned her M.S. in Strategic Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan University. Driven by her passion for student learning, her career initially led her to education before transitioning to a social work agency dedicated to children's rights. This pivotal experience shaped her deep understanding of the essential role nonprofits and foundations play in improving the lives of those they are entrusted to serve. Before relocating to South Florida, she was the first to serve in the role of Chief Operating Officer at the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, where she played a key role in advancing strategic initiatives and fostering long-term organizational growth. Her team of twenty fundraising and marketing professionals raised $30 million annually through corporate partnerships and individual philanthropy. Beyond her professional achievements, Strickland-Ruiz remains deeply committed to community engagement. She serves on various boards and committees focused on child welfare, women’s empowerment, arts, and education. Her professional affiliations include the Florida Philanthropic Network, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, United Way Women United, the North Broward County (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and Leadership Broward.
DJ Hampton II, JD
DJ has been very successful directing major gifts and planned giving programs for United Way at local and national levels. He served in executive fundraising positions with national nonprofit organizations. He is the President of ALoday Consulting and Lead Strategist and Partner for Turnkey for Good Consulting. DJ accepted the role of President and Chief Executive Officer at Trident United Way in Charleston, SC in April 2023.
Dan Dunne
A former United Way CEO, Dan championed the United Way of Central Alabama’s highly respected planned giving program. Upon retirement, he has taken on multiple UW NEXT planned giving mentoring and consulting roles. He has also been hosting planned giving office hours over the past several years. In addition, he has created a named endowment fund.
Denise Fleckenstein
Denise began her non-profit career at Matrix Human Services. She went on to revitalize planned giving programs at the University of Detroit Mercy, Cranbrook Educational Community and the Beaumont Hospital Foundation. Denise came to United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2010 to establish and grow a planned giving program and served on the United Way Worldwide Major Gift and Planned Giving Council for 12 years.
Ed John
Ed served over 43 years as a fund raising professional. For 33 years of those years, Ed served with United Ways at the local and national level, mostly in major gifts and planned giving. Ed retired as a partner in a major and planned giving consulting firm. Until retirement, Ed was licensed as a certified financial planner and held certifications in wealth and retirement management.
Eve Powell
Eve has over twenty years of successful experience in planned giving, major gift development, and relationship management. She worked for United Ways in Atlanta, Dallas and Denver and other institutions including Georgetown University, the Baylor Medical Center Foundation and the Women’s Foundation of Colorado. Eve recently joined Columns Fundraising consulting firm.
Janet Clarkson Davis
Janet has over 27 years’ service to the nonprofit sector including major gift and planned giving experience with United Way at the local and national level. She is the founding principal in the firm Clarkson Davis, capital campaign and resource development consultants. Currently, she is serving as Development Director for Ogunquit Playhouse.
Jeffrey L. Stec, J.D.
Jeffrey started his career in law at a big firm before practicing family law with a focus on reuniting parents with children taken by protective services. His courtroom experiences inspired him to take his advocacy work to United Way of Greater Cincinnati where he was the director of planned giving for six years. For the past 20 years Jeffrey has been facilitating community engagement and strategic planning for governments and nonprofit institutions with an emphasis in the educational sector, while also teaching continuing legal education courses in empathy-based persuasion. He has recently written a book on how local governments and institutions can rehumanize our public debate one conversation at a time.
JoKeitha Seabrook
JoKeitha Seabrook is a senior consultant and community engagement leader with over a decade of experience working at the intersection of nonprofit, government, and community-based systems. She is the Owner of 3FG Consulting, where she supports organizations in strengthening operations, building sustainable strategies, and designing solutions that improve outcomes for the communities they serve. JoKeitha began her career in the banking industry before transitioning into local government, where she discovered her passion for community engagement and systems-level change. She later spent nearly ten years at United Way of Greenville County, advancing to Associate Vice President of Community Impact, where she led strategic initiatives, managed cross-sector partnerships, and oversaw program investments aligned with education, financial stability, and equitable communities. She currently serves as the Greenville Site Director and Lab Faculty for College Unbound, where she works directly with adult learners, providing coaching, mentorship, and support as they navigate their educational and professional journeys. Throughout her career, JoKeitha has been recognized for her ability to bring people together, translate complex challenges into actionable strategies, and lead with both clarity and compassion. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and is a trained facilitator in the Harwood Model for Community Engagement.
Joyce Wilbur
Joyce served United Ways in several roles for over 30 years on the local, national and worldwide levels. She specialized in relationship management with major investors including the staffing for the founding of the United Way Worldwide Leadership Council (major donors) and the national Women’s Leadership Council, and oversaw the support provided to local United Ways in major, planned and principal giving.
Karsten Halusa
After graduating from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Music, Karsten found his way to United Way of America (now United Way Worldwide) as a temp in 1998 and was hired in 1999. His work focused on prospect management/research, resource development operations, and various functions in IT working with donor data. In 2022, after being with United Way for nearly 23 years, he began working for Carnegie Institution for Science as its Associate Director of Advancement Services.
Keith Barsuhn
Keith served as President and CEO of United Ways in Canton, Ohio; Greensboro, NC; and Orange County, NY: and held senior positions for United Ways in Atlanta, GA and Columbus, OH. He also served as interim CEO for United Way NEXT. Keith is part of the planning team to redesign and revamp the planned giving mentoring effort for UW NEXT.
Kim Scheeler
Spent 18 years in the UW field starting as a campaign staffer in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. From there, I moved to Houston as a Campaign Manager then Baltimore as the Campaign Director. I added responsibilities for marketing, finance, administration and strategic planning in Baltimore before leaving to become the CEO of the United Way in Tampa, Florida. I spent 6 years in that role, leading the UW to a 60% increase in fundraising and initiating the merger of the Tampa and St. Petersburg United Ways. I left the United Way to become the CEO of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce, leading that organization for 7 years. I was then recruited to move to Richmond, Virginia to lead the Chamber there and served in that role for 12 years before retiring in January of 2020.
Kitty Hsu Dana
A boundary spanner and catalyst for systemic change, Kitty Hsu Dana designed and led Cities of Opportunity as Senior Health Policy Advisor at the National League of Cities. Participating city officials advanced policies and practices to improve factors that affect health, equity and opportunity in their communities. As Vice President of Community Impact, Health at United Way Worldwide, she created UWW’s first-ever health portfolio and positioned United Ways as must-have partners in health by integrating strategies across Education, Economic Mobility and Health. Earlier Kitty served in executive leadership at the American Public Health Association, American Friends Service Committee, Planned Parenthood of Maryland, and the Helix Health System/MedStar Health. Kitty’s lasting commitment to public health includes Board Officer on Prevention Institute’s Board of Directors and on the Board of Advisors of Healthy Places by Design. An active member of Concerned Citizens Defending Democracy, she works on voter rights, fair elections and inclusive democracy. Appointed to the WAMU Community Council, Kitty strengthens the local public radio station’s ties with communities in the greater Washington DC region. Kitty holds a B.A. in Sociology from Princeton University and an M.B.A. in Health Services Management from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Kristi Long
Kristi spent 40 years in the UW system, with Untied Ways in Omaha, Poughkeepsie, Cleveland, and Salt Lake City, serving the last 20 years of her career as President & CEO of United Way of Lake County. She greatly enjoyed building and working with Board of Directors as well as developing staff. In her last 5 year she was the Illinois State211 chair, bringing state funding to support full statewide coverage of the 211 service.
Kristi Shepard
A 25-year staff member at United Way of Dane County in Madison WI, Kristi Shepard has led all aspects of the organization’s leadership giving programs. As Director of Foundation & Gift Planning, she is the lead staff for the United Way of Dane County Foundation and coordinates planned giving activities. Within the Resource Development Department, she manages longstanding relationships with major givers, Tocqueville Society members and 25+ year Loyal Contributors. Kristi also co-staffs United Way READI, a retiree membership group focused on community volunteering. She has represented Dane County on numerous United Way Worldwide councils. Kristi previously worked at Wisconsin Public Radio in individual and corporate support. Kristi is past president and a current member of the Wisconsin Association of Charitable Gift Planners and is a longtime member of and past president of the Greater Madison Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is active in many community organizations including the King Coalition of Madison & Dane County and Friends of the Cottage Grove Community Library. Kristi is a proud alumna of Drake University with a BA in Broadcast News. If she could be doing anything, she’d be watching a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game!
Kyle B. Rahn
Former LUW CEO, CDO and now Interim CEO.
Lindsay Fox
Lindsay S. Fox is a strategic consultant and former President and CEO of United Way Fresno and Madera Counties. With more than 25 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, she now works with organizations across the country on strategy, leadership development, governance, and organizational effectiveness through her firm, The Sojourner Group. Lindsay enjoys mentoring emerging and mid-career leaders who are navigating growth, complex organizational dynamics, or stepping into greater leadership responsibility. Her approach is practical, candid, and supportive, helping leaders clarify their goals, strengthen their decision-making, and build the confidence and skills needed to lead effectively in mission-driven organizations. She brings deep experience from the United Way network and a passion for helping others translate their vision and values into meaningful impact in their communities.
Liz Thornton
Former (retired) CFO/Controller at United Way of Columbia Willamette. Numerous non profit accounting roles throughout my career.
Melissa Reabold
Since joining the United Way network in 2008, I have served as VP of Resource Development and later as CEO of two local United Ways. Before that, I worked with the American Red Cross and began my fundraising career as Director of Development for a healthcare foundation. Over the past decade, my focus has shifted primarily to operations and governance; however, I continue to enjoy fundraising, especially when it leads to meaningful connections.
Monica Estabrooke
Monica has extensive major gift and planned giving experience with United Way at the local and national levels. She is also a former United Way NEXT Board Member. Monica provided leadership to design and implement UW NEXT’s first planned giving mentoring and consulting efforts.
Ned Montgomery
Ned has held high level professional positions in the private sector to include being chairman and CEO of Mellon Bank (East). He held various high-level volunteer positions with the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania to include campaign chair. Upon retirement, he became part of the United Way’s staff focusing on resource development and major gifts. Ned is known as the consummate major gift fund raiser for numerous prestigious organizations in Philadelphia and a popular speaker on major gifts at United Way conferences.
Paul DeBassio
After 13 years in the for-profit sector, moved to UW Mass Bay as CDO. 15 years as local UW CDO and 5 years as EVP, Chief Investor Relations Officer at UWW. Have continued with contract work helping UWs with Executive Leadership Coaching, Volunteer/Board management and Resource Generation Growth Strategies & Implementation. Strong focus on cross-functional alignment as a key success factor to UW growth.
Paula Gilberto
Paula's 45-year career in the nonprofit sector includes leadership positions in management, fundraising, strategic planning, program design, community relations and organizational development. She began her career with the American Red Cross-Connecticut Region, holding various management positions with Blood Services and the Chapter. She secured federal funding and philanthropic support for youth workforce programs and collaborated with State agencies on health services curriculum. Paula joined United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut in 1998, serving in senior leadership positions, including President and CEO from 2016 until her retirement in 2022. She established innovative public/private partnerships supporting early childhood education and literacy, community schools, financial education, family economic security and workforce development. Paula also engaged national partners in working with school districts including Boys Town’s “Well-Managed Classroom”; the National Campaign for Grade-Level Reading; and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.  Paula serves on multiple nonprofit boards locally, regionally, statewide and nationally. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and psychology from the University of Bridgeport, and a master’s degree in organizational behavior from the University of Hartford. She is also a Family Strengthening for Success Fellow, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
Regina Manning
I worked in the finance area at a United Way that served a fairly large county northwest of Chicago. The staff was comprised of 3 people. My main responsibilities were recording/projecting donations in Andar, balancing bank statements, producing financial reports from QuickBooks and Andar, and creating Thank You letters.
Rochelle Zeidman
Rochelle is the founder and president of Zeidman & Associates. She is an expert in principal and major donor giving, foundation, and corporate philanthropy. She served as the Executive Director of Individual Giving for NPR, Director of U.S. and International Giving for United Way Worldwide, held progressively senior-level executive positions for 14 years with the American Red Cross, and was the Managing Director, Development, of CFP Board Center for Financial Planning. Rochelle has extensive experience with high level donors creating transformational results.
Roma Bose
Roma is an independent Development professional, with twenty-five years of experience working with state, national and international organizations in the fields of healthcare, artificial intelligence, and community development initiatives. Her expertise includes fundraising and communications strategies that yield high-dollar returns for core-operations, community projects, capital campaigns, and more. During the course of her career, she has led, as well as set up, new non-profit organizations, delivered training in management, governance, project designing, and donor engagement strategies. She thrives in frontline fundraising and non-profit management roles. Roma served for more than 10+ years with United Way Worldwide.
Susan B. Dunn
After a 26-year career at the United Way based in Hartford, CT, the last ten as President and CEO, I have been consulting for nonprofit executives and serving as an interim executive director for nonprofits. I primarily work on governance issues, strategic planning, how to manage, inspire support, and guide volunteers, staff and board members and how to structure staff and volunteers/board members around organizational goals and deliverables.
TD Smyers
My personal leadership has been tested in diverse and challenging leadership environments, including roles in command of Combat Air Crews in a US Navy Maritime Patrol Squadron, consecutive tours as Director of Congressional Affairs/Legislative Liaison and Director of Collaborative Warfare for Navy Aviation at the Pentagon, Commanding Officer at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base - a joint military airfield, CEO at American Red Cross’ North Texas Region, and President & CEO at United Way of Tarrant County. In addition to founding my own coaching practice and consultancy, I served as CEO of Simple Leadership Strategies - a DFW-based management and leadership training company - during two crucial growth years.
Terry Tolan
I served in three local United Ways and then, for fifteen years, served as CEO of United Way of Kentucky. While there I provided training and technical assistance to local United Ways of all sizes, coordinated public policy and advocacy at the state and national level, chaired regional and national conferences, and served on several state boards and commissions representing the United Way network. Since leaving United Way, I served as Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Early Childhood for 5 years and have done consulting to the nonprofit sector for 10 years. I have expertise in finance, strategic planning, measuring programs outcomes, and board development.
Tim Allison
Tim is the Chief Advancement Officer at the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) where he is responsible for the philanthropic initiatives at each of the state’s seven community colleges. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges. In addition, he has successful major and planned giving experience with the University of New Hampshire, the United Way of the Seacoast (Portsmouth, NH) and the United Way of Southern Maine (Portland).
Tom Brown
Tom is a former United Way CEO and in retirement served as planned giving staff with great success in Tocqueville Legacy giving. Tom is also a past member of the UW NEXT board of directors and served on the executive committee as board chair. He has been a planned giving mentor and consultant for many years. In addition, Tom created a named endowment fund.
Wes Wicker
Wes has over 35 years of experience in development for United Way and higher education. He served as Vice President of Major Gifts for the Metro Atlanta United Way and a similar capacity for the United Way of Central Indiana (Indianapolis). Wes chaired United Way of America’s planned giving roundtable and served on the United Way Major Gift Council. Wes is a principal and partner for Columns Fundraising consulting firm.