2009 Governor's Nonprofit Leadership Conference: Speakers
General Information I Speakers I Pre-Conference I Agenda I Seminars I Exhibitors
Keynote Speakers
Andrew Wolk
Widely recognized as a leading social innovator and a pioneering teacher of social entrepreneurship, Andrew founded Root Cause in 2004 and continues to lead its overall strategic direction. He has consulted to dozens of organizations. Recently, he authored the book Business Planning for Enduring Social Impact. He also wrote a chapter in the Small Business Administration's annual report to the President of the United States on social entrepreneurship and government. Andrew designed and taught one of the first courses on social entrepreneurship in the country. Currently, he is a senior lecturer in social entrepreneurship at MIT, and was recently appointed a Gleitsman Visiting Practitioner in Social Innovation at David Gergen's Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University. Andrew writes the blog "Andrew Wolk: Advancing Social Innovation."
Robert Egger
Robert Egger is President of the DC Central Kitchen, where unemployed people learn marketable culinary skills while converting donated food into balanced meals. Robert's book, Begging for Change, received the 2005 McAdam Prize for "Best Nonprofit Management Book" by the Alliance for Nonprofit Management. He has been on The NonProfit Times' "50 Most Powerful and Influential Nonprofit Leaders" list every year since 2006. He also received the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington's 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2004 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year award. Robert co-convened the first Nonprofit Congress in 2006, founded the V3 Campaign and serves on the Boards of the Food Systems Leadership Institute and Street Sense. Robert writes the blog "Robert Egger's Piece of Mind."
Conference Speakers
Cheryl Black has 23 years of experience working in multiple roles at nonprofits, including operations and financial administration. She has served as Executive Director of the Austin Humane Society and Director of Finance and Administration at the Austin Museum of Art. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Kearney and a State of Nebraska CPA certificate.
Erin Brackney is Manager of Research, Learning and Evaluation at OneStar Foundation, where she coordinates the development and implementation of OneStar's research and evaluation to build the capacity of the nonprofit sector in Texas. Erin's experience includes policy work in both national and state level arenas, social work practice in a variety of clinical settings, capacity building support, training and more.
June Bradham is founder, owner and President of Corporate DevelopMint, a fundraising and strategic planning consulting firm with over 20 years serving the nonprofit world. The firm has grown from a one-person operation to a major presence in fundraising consulting that now counsels clients from coast to coast. June's first book, The Truth About What Nonprofit Boards Want, was released in May 2009.
William A. Brown is an Associate Professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. He is Program Director for the Certificate in Nonprofit Management and teaches graduate courses in Program Evaluation and Nonprofit Management. William received his bachelor's degree from Northeastern University, and his master's degree and doctorate from Claremont Graduate University.
Candyss Bryant has more than 10 years of experience in nonprofit development and management as both a professional and volunteer. Currently, she serves as the coordinator of Austin Community College's Center for Community-Based and Nonprofit Organizations and the President of Georgia's ROCA Resources, Inc. She is also a consultant for Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations.
Chris Bugbee serves as Vice President of Social Impact and Innovation for OneStar Foundation, with oversight over capacity building programs and the Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative. Chris holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural development from Texas A&M University and a master's degree in public service and administration from the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M.
Brad Carter is Executive Director of Connecting Caring Communities, a faith-based comprehensive community initiative in Abilene that is replicated after the model of Community Renewal International. Brad previously served in student development and inner-city ministry. He was named Public Citizen of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers/Texas Chapter, Abilene branch, in 2008.
Gary Eagleton has worked with economically disadvantaged families and students since 1976. His work experience includes Harris County Comprehensive Employment and Training Administration, Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, Goose Creek ISD, Communities In Schools and Project GRAD USA. He is co-founder and President of EagleKing Interventions, and serves on several boards.
Nell Edgington is President of Social Velocity, a social innovation company that helps nonprofits and social businesses grow their programs and generate revenue. Nell has over 13 years of experience innovating in the social sector and has won national fundraising awards. She has a master's degree in business administration in marketing from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University.
Brenda King pursues her life's purpose grounded in the mission of her business, EagleKing Interventions, which inspires passion for growth by creating a climate for change. Brenda shares her expertise within nonprofit sector organizations, boards, government entities and more. She holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from Texas State University and master's degree in social work from the University of Houston.
Rose Mary Fry has 35 years of experience in the education, nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Her current position is Executive Director of the Texas Nonprofit Management Assistance Network, which she founded. Previously, she was Executive Director of the Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas in San Antonio, the oldest resource center in Texas.
Ronnie Hagerty is Assistant Vice President of Community Relations for United Way of Greater Houston. She is responsible for community outreach initiatives, including the Management Assistance Program, Information and Referral Services, Project Blueprint, the United Way Community Resource Center and Gifts In Kind.
Deltina Hay is a veteran Web developer and publisher. Known as a pioneer of social media and Web 2.0 as they apply to small businesses and the publishing industry, she is the principal owner of Dalton Publishing and the consulting and Web 2.0 development firm Social Media Power. She founded PlumbSocial.com and has authored the book A Survival Guide to Social Media and Web 2.0 Optimization.
Terry Hockenbrough is Executive Director of Imagine Leadership and a consultant with OneStar Foundation. She volunteers with Community Emergency Response Teams, American Red Cross and Collin County Homeland Security. She has presented at many state and national conferences. She has a master's degree in public affairs and is completing a doctorate degree at The University of Texas at Dallas.
Kim Huseman is the District Coordinator and Grant Coordinator for K-12 Service-Learning in Humble ISD. She also is the Social Action Facilitator at Quest High School. Kim is a national service-learning consultant, a member of The Provider's Network, a Generator School Network Advisor, and a member of the National Service-Learning Partnership, where she served on the board of directors for six years. She has been named Humble Area Woman of the Year for her Visionary Leadership, and she believes the community is an invaluable learning tool for students.
Charlotte Keany has a corporate career that includes three major Fortune 500 corporations and spans 26 years. In 2004, she joined the Center for Nonprofit Management as Director of Consulting, where she manages IMPACT, social enterprise and multiple consulting engagements to help nonprofits build stronger organizational capacities.
Kathleen McCleskey founded KM Consulting and Training Connection, which has collaborated with colleagues to write and publish books and develop curriculum. Kathleen has over 20 years of experience serving the nonprofit community. She has been a consultant, trainer, curriculum developer, evaluator and board developer. She is also certified in the Cornerstone Organizational Planning Process.
Ray McLeod serves as Vice President of Client Services and Communications at the Center for Nonprofit Management in Dallas, where he directs the organization's consulting services, education and training, nonprofit job listing services, strategic planning, public relations, membership, market research, geographic expansion efforts and more.
Richard W. Meyer is an attorney practicing in Austin with 30 years' experience with nonprofit organizations. He is Vice President for Public Policy for the Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations and is the Texas liaison to the National Council of Nonprofit Associations. He is a graduate of the School of Architecture and the School of Law, both at The University of Texas at Austin.
Suzanne Norman works for Emma, a Web-based e-mail marketing and communications company that helps small businesses, designers and agencies create, send and track stylish e-mail campaigns. As Emma's Director of Community Relations, she oversees efforts to assist and educate the Emma community. She also promotes and develops Emma's brand and serves as the editor of "Ask Emma," an e-mail newsletter.
Cynthia B. Nunn currently serves as President of the Center for Nonprofit Management. Her past nonprofit leadership roles include President/Chief Professional Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Inc. and Executive Director of Bryan's House. She is a recent graduate of the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program jointly sponsored by the Center for Nonprofit Management and Southern Methodist University.
Armando Rayo has over 12 years of experience in community engagement and volunteerism. He has developed engagement strategies and cultural programming for United Way Capital Area, Hands On Central Texas and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. He is on the Points of Light/Hands On Network's Neighboring Taskforce, writes for GivingCity magazine and was featured in The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
Carole Rylander, a Certified Fund Raising Executive, is Principal of Rylander Associates, a consulting firm that has served nonprofit organizations in funds development, planning and governance since 1998. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 24 years. She was named the 2006 Outstanding Fundraising Executive by the Dallas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Celeste Sauls-Marks serves as Agency Relations Director for Dallas County Government Relations and Disaster Management at the Volunteer Center of North Texas. She is Founder and Leadership Team Leader for the Volunteer Resources Management Roundtable and Editor-In-Chief of Volunteer Management Review. She is also on the Steering Committee of International Volunteer Manager Appreciation Day.
John Spence is Director of Service Learning Texas (formerly the Texas Center for Service-Learning), a statewide initiative of the Region 14 Education Service Center and the Texas Education Agency that seeks to make service learning a common experience for all Texas students. He was a founding member of the State Education Agency K-12 Service-Learning Network and the National Service-Learning Partnership.
Dr. Sherra Theisen has 20 years of experience in higher education. She is currently Chief Executive Officer of Texas Nature Project, which provides sustainable leadership education to Texas college students and which she helped to found. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in philosophy from Boston College, and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
Cheryle N. Yallen, President of CNY Enterprises, is an international trainer and consultant with over 25 years of social service experience. She has worked with nonprofit organizations as a consultant, executive director, board member and volunteer. Cheryle has designed and implemented an array of training, recruitment and fundraising programs, and currently consults with numerous organizations.
Sharon Zambrzycki celebrates life through community service. Sharon has over 20 years of experience as an American Red Cross volunteer, and was a Branch Office Manager during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She served over 10 years at the Texas Department of Human Services as Director of Volunteer and Community Service, and was Regional Director and a volunteer Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
