Ask The Experts 2025 Speakers & Sessions

This event has been approved for 5.5 points of CFRE credit.

BREAKFAST KEYNOTE (8:45 - 10:15 a.m.) 
Speaker: Tyrone M. Freeman, Ph.D. 
Dr. Tyrone Freeman explores the rich legacy of African American philanthropy through the lens of Madam C.J. Walker—America’s first self-made female millionaire and a visionary donor and activist. Drawing from his acclaimed book Madam C.J. Walker’s Gospel of Giving, Dr. Freeman challenges traditional definitions of philanthropy and examines how race, gender, and power have shaped philanthropic history. Participants will reflect on how fundraisers can build more inclusive narratives of giving, elevate community-based generosity, and lead with equity and cultural humility in donor engagement.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.) 

Option #1
Changing the Story: Success from the Inside Out 
Speaker: Marianita Snodgrass, ACC, former nonprofit board member and accomplished fundraiser 
Fundraisers are masterful external storytellers—crafting compelling narratives about mission, impact, and possibility. But when it comes to the stories we tell ourselves and each other, especially amid today’s uncertainty, we often default to fear, fatigue, or famine. These inner narratives—such as “we’re alone in this,” “no one’s pulling their weight,” or “it’s all on me”—fuel dynamics like scapegoating, stonewalling, collusion, avoidance, and the erosion of trust and accountability. This interactive session helps fundraisers rewrite these internal scripts—both personally and within their teams. The goal in this session is to shift the dialogue from survival mode to sustainable leadership. Through story reframing, coaching tools, and reflective practices, participants will learn how to challenge toxic assumptions, name what’s true, and build a culture rooted in purpose, ownership, and possibility.

Option #2
Influencers for Impact: Turn Visibility Into Year-End Donations 
Speakers: Ali Flanders Dodson, Anna Johnston and Jordan Matranga, Kids’ Meals Inc. 
Join Kids’ Meals Inc. for an engaging workshop exploring how mission-driven organizations can collaborate with digital influencers to boost visibility and drive meaningful fundraising results. We’ll walk through a real case study from Kids’ Meals’ successful year-end campaign, highlighting how social media partnerships generated thousands of new impressions, unlocked new donors, and fueled powerful storytelling. Learn how to identify aligned influencers, manage collaborations authentically, and translate visibility into action. Whether you’re new to influencer engagement or looking to refine your strategy, this session will equip you with practical tools, inspiring examples, and key takeaways you can use right away. Don’t miss this opportunity to rethink your digital reach and spark new possibilities for your year-end fundraising.

Option #3
Game On! Live Auction Strategies to Hit a Home Run and Score More Profits at Your Next Fundraiser! 
Speakers: Marty Murad and Claire Murad, Murad Auctions 
Claire and Marty will present as a team of auctioneers, each with a unique perspective and presentation style. They will present strategies for success in fundraising using a live auction with a focus on increasing profits in new and exciting ways and an emphasis on Live Auction Games to Score More Profits!

Live Auction strategies for success to be covered will include:

• Creating a Successful Playing Field
• Top Hitter Live Auction Items and how to get them donated.
• Don’t just get a base hit, but Double and Triple sales of Live Auction Items
• Home Run Giving Moments
• Get More Fan Participation

Option #4
Wake Up the Sleeping Donors in Your CRM: Unlocking Major Gifts Through Stewardship
Speakers: Jeff Grandy, M.Ed, Catapult Fundraising and Christine Ann Stevens, MBA, CFRE, SHRM-CP, LA Opera
Mid-level donors are an underleveraged but vital donor segment, often overlooked in nonprofit strategies to cultivate major gift pipelines. This session addresses a critical challenge: how to unlock their untapped potential and transform their philanthropic contributions to drive sustainable growth. Attendees will learn how to leverage CRM data and analytics for donor segmentation, identify high-potential prospects, and implement personalized engagement strategies tailored to diverse donor motivations and preferences.

The session also highlights inclusive practices, emphasizing how organizations can ensure all donors feel valued and connected to the mission. Real-world case studies and interactive discussions will demonstrate successful stewardship tactics, including exclusive events, meaningful recognition, and targeted communication, to deepen donor loyalty and inspire increased giving. Attendees will actively engage with examples and develop actionable insights to enhance their stewardship practices. By the end of the session, participants will have the tools to build stronger donor relationships, catalyze mid-level donors’ journeys to becoming major contributors, and amplify their organization’s mission-driven impact. 

Option #5
Who Wants to Be a CEO? 
Speaker: Christina J. Allen, JD, FamilyTime Crisis & Counseling Center 
In this interactive educational session, aspiring leaders will gain tools to assess their readiness for stepping into the executive leadership role of a nonprofit organization.  Strategies for addressing gaps in skill sets and perceived deficiencies will be discussed.  Participants will learn the tough questions they need to ask themselves (and possibly even others) to decide if it is the right time and if they are prepared to pursue the executive leadership role.  

This session, while open to anyone, has been identified as part of an Advanced Professionals (15 years + of fundraising) education track. 

LUNCH KEYNOTE: Roots of Generosity: Why We Give and What It Means (12:15 - 1:00 p.m.)
Moderator: Khambrel Marshall 
Speakers: Frances Castaneda Dyess, Houston East End Chamber of Commerce; Donna Cole, Cole Chemical; and Victor Kendall, Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund 
Philanthropy is a shared value across all communities, yet cultural traditions, historical experiences, and social contexts shape how different racial and ethnic groups engage in giving. This educational session will explore the rich, diverse traditions of charitable giving across various racial communities, with an emphasis on understanding motivations, barriers, and opportunities for engagement.

Participants will gain insights into how race and culture influence philanthropic behaviors, and how nonprofits can build more inclusive and equitable fundraising practices. This session aims to deepen appreciation for the diversity of giving and foster stronger, more authentic relationships with donors of all backgrounds.  

BREAKOUT SESSIONS (1:15 - 2:15 p.m.) 

Option #1
Funding Forward: Grantmakers Weigh In on the Shifting Nonprofit Landscape
Speakers: Rhonda Horn and Andrea Romero, Sterling 
Panelists: Ann Ziker, The Brown Foundation; Ryan Dolibois, Sarofim Foundation; and Bee Dickson, Hildebrand Foundation
The world is in flux, and nonprofits are feeling the effects of the environment we’re living in, some much more directly than others. As we all learn to navigate these uncertain times, many nonprofits are eager to understand the perspectives of major grantmakers who provide tremendous support to organizations across the community.

Given how events have unfolded in recent months, it’s impossible to know exactly what the sector will be facing in June, as fundraising professionals gather for this conference. But we do know that access to the insights, ideas, and perspectives of funders is always valuable for nonprofit fundraisers. Our plan is to ask the panel timely and relevant questions to illuminate the attitudes and positions of several of the most generous and influential funders in the community. The Sterling team will set the stage for the panel discussion with a brief overview of key findings from our 2024 survey of the nonprofit community. The survey gathered input from nearly 200 unique nonprofits across sectors in four main categories: (1) perceptions about grantmakers, (2) adherence to best practices, (3) fundraising challenges, and (4) financial health and human resources. Audience members will be invited to ask questions during a formal Q&A at the end. 

This session, while open to anyone, has been identified as part of an Advanced Professionals (15 years + of fundraising) education track. 

Option #2
Changemakers Unite: How Two Leaders Leveled Up Marketing & Fundraising 
Speakers: Larissa Potiomkin and Amber Pritchard, Arrow Child & Family Ministries
When Larissa Potiomkin (Chief Development Officer) and Amber Pritchard (Director of Marketing) joined Arrow in 2023 and 2024, the organization’s visibility and fundraising efforts were stuck in the sub-basement. In less than a year, they brought it to the ground floor—and laid the foundation for real growth. Learn how they broke bad habits, shifted perspectives, and began transforming marketing and development from the inside out. The best part? They’re only just getting started.

Option #3
Strategies for Collecting and Using Data: 10 Tips to Prevent Mission Creep 
Speaker: Jessica Davison, United Way of Greater Houston
In the dynamic landscape of nonprofit work, maintaining alignment between data practices and organizational mission is crucial to avoiding mission creep. In this engaging session, we’ll share 10 practical tips for how fundraising professionals can effectively utilize strategies for collecting and using data to stay true to your mission, strengthen donor relationships and enhance the story behind your data.

Option #4
Weathering the Storm: Building Resilience in a Shifting Funding Landscape 
Speakers: Patricia Glass, CNP, and Michelle Kenyon, Flourish 
This session focuses on how nonprofit professionals can respond to funding cuts, donor shifts, and economic uncertainty with clarity and strategy. We will explore practical frameworks for adjusting budgets, diversifying revenue, deepening donor relationships, and leading with resilience. The content is rooted in hands-on experience working with nonprofits of all sizes and is designed to offer immediately actionable ideas. Attendees will leave with clear approaches for program prioritization, collaborative resource sharing, data-informed donor communication, and emotional resilience in leadership. The session is ideal for those looking to stabilize funding, strengthen partnerships, and stay mission-focused during challenging times.