
NCFP Fellows Mary Mountcastle (left) and June Wilson (right) talk with Russell Family Foundation Board Member Sarah Cavanaugh at the 2015 National Forum on Family Philanthropy in Seattle.
Meet the Team
We provide the resources, expertise and support families need to transform their values into effective giving that makes a lasting impact on the communities they serve. Together, we make great things happen.
Our Board

Ashley Blanchard
NCFP Vice Chair | Head of Philanthropic Services, Lansberg Gersick Advisors; Trustee, Hill-Snowdon Foundation

Michael Meadows
NCFP Treasurer | President and CEO, Meadows Family Consulting Group, LLC | Director, The Meadows Foundation | Trustee, Mike. A. Myers Foundation
Our Fellows

C’Ardiss “CC” Gardner Gleser
Board Member, Andrus Family Fund and Charlotte Martin Foundation | NCFP Fellow (2022-2024)

Doug Bitonti Stewart
Executive Director, Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, NCFP Fellow (2015–2018)
Program Consultants
Our Advisory Committees
In addition to our formal Board of Directors, the National Center for Family Philanthropy also relies upon the guidance and perspectives of a variety of advisory groups. Thank you to our committee members who share their valuable insights.
Ambassador Member Committee
Ambassador Member Committee
This committee is made up of members across the country who are committed to being stewards of the NCFP network and identifying ways in which NCFP can best serve giving families. Committee members include:
- Virg Gentilcore, Director of Family Philanthropy, Bainum Family Foundation
- Brittany Killam, Junior Board Member, Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation
- Sara Lerner, Foundation Manager, Blanket Fort Foundation
- Mamie Nicholson, President, Self Family Foundation
- Ann Utterback, Board Member, J.F. Maddox Foundation
- Kim Wright, Executive Director, Stolte Family Foundation
- Ellie Frey Zagel, Vice Chair, Frey Foundation
Community Foundations Family Philanthropy Network Advisory Committee
Community Foundations Family Philanthropy Network
The Community Foundations Family Philanthropy Network aims to enhance the effectiveness of families working with community foundations as a core giving partner. Drawing from the insights and experience of a national Advisory Committee and other respected leaders, the network’s purpose is to enhance practices among community foundation staff and other advisors working with philanthropic families. Committee members include:
- Jennifer Curry, Director of Giving Strategies, The Oregon Community Foundation (chair)
- Judy Altenberg, Director of Donor Funds and Legacy Giving, Rose Community Foundation
- Michelle Beisker, Senior Vice President of Development, Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
- Robert M. Fockler, President, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
- Nicole Kyauk, Director of Philanthropic Services, San Francisco Foundation
- John Oddy, Vice President for Donor Relations, The New York Community Trust
- Abbe Temkin, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Chicago Community Trust
Many thanks to the Community Foundations Family Philanthropy Network’s founding chair Alicia Philipp, former president of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.
2020 Trends in Family Philanthropy Advisory Committee
2020 Trends in Family Philanthropy Advisory Committee
The Trends in Family Philanthropy Advisory Committee is tasked with guiding this national research initiative to identify emerging issues, changes in funding priorities, innovative approaches to giving and decision-making, and anticipated giving patterns among philanthropic families nationally.
- Ellie Frey Zagel, Trustee, Frey Foundation and Chair, 2019 Trends in Family Philanthropy Advisory Committee
- Ana Marie Argilagos, President, Hispanics in Philanthropy
- Susan Taylor Batten, President and CEO, Association of Black Foundation Executives
- Ashley Blanchard, Board Member, Hill-Snowdon Foundation and Principal, Blanchard Consulting
- Christopher Cardona, Program Officer, Philanthropy, Ford Foundation
- Armando Castellano, Board Member, Castellano Family Foundation
- Kelly Chopus, Chief Executive Officer, Robins Foundation
- Claire Costello, Managing Director, Philanthropic Solutions Group, Bank of America Private Bank
- Stephanie Gillis, Senior Advisor, Impact-Driven Philanthropy Initiative, Raikes Foundation
- Jacob Harold, Executive Vice President, Candid
- Gillian Howell, Managing Director, Philanthropic Consulting & Advisory Executive, Bank of America Private Bank
- Barbara Kibbe, Director, Effectiveness, S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation
- Katherine Lorenz, President, The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation and Board Chair, National Center for Family Philanthropy
- Paul Maurer, Board Member, Maurer Family Foundation, Inc.
- John Mullaney, Executive Director, The Nord Family Foundation
- Robert Reid, Chief Executive Officer, JF Maddox Foundation
- Diana Spencer, Executive Director, William G. McGowan Charitable Fund
- Diana Tyler Heath, Senior Director, Families & Individuals Practice, Arabella Advisors
- Anne Wallestad, President & CEO, BoardSource
- June Wilson, Executive Director Emeritus, Quixote Foundation
2019 National Forum Advisory Committees
2019 National Forum Planning Committee
The 2019 National Forum Planning Committee is comprised of prominent and well-respected leaders in the field, including donors, family foundation board members, and CEOs who have practiced and/or supported the advancement of effective and ethical family philanthropy.
The 2019 National Forum Advisory Committee is co-chaired by Doug Bitonti Stewart of the Max and Marjorie Fisher Foundation and A. Sparks of the Masto Foundation. Additional Planning Committee members include:
- Julie Berrey, Director, John and Wauna Harman Foundation
- Barrett Coker Krise, Senior Philanthropic Officer, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
- David Daniels, Chief Operating Officer, Bainum Family Foundation
- Reginald Jones, President and CEO, Jacobs Family Foundation
- Barbara Kibbe, Director, Effectiveness, S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation
- Gilbert Miller, Chairman, Bradley-Turner Foundation
- Mary Mountcastle, Trustee, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, Inc.
- Kelly Nowlin, Trustee, Surdna Foundation
- Jim Parsons, President, The Brinson Foundation
- Sharmila Thakkar, Advisor, SRT Advising & Consulting LLC
- Patrick Troska, President, The Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota
- Urvashi Vaid, CEO, The Vaid Group LLC
- June Wilson, Executive Director Emeritus, Quixote Foundation
- Ellie Frey Zagel, Trustee, Frey Foundation
2019 National Forum Host Committee
The 2019 National Forum Host Committee is comprised of family foundations and donors that actively fund in the Chicago metro region and who wish to support NCFP in its efforts to incorporate local artists, community leaders, and funders into the Forum programming and networking activities. The 2019 National Forum Host Committee is chaired by Jim Parsons, CEO of The Brinson Foundation. Additional Host Committee members include:
- Clare Butterfield, Executive Director, Christopher Family Foundation
- David Farren, Executive Director, Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
- Patricia Ford, Executive Director, Steans Family Foundation
- Dinaz Mansuri, Executive Director, Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation
- Elizabeth Newton, Director of Family Engagement, Crown Family Philanthropies
- Mary Pounder, Program Officer, Comer Family Foundation
- Mary Ann Roeser, Executive Director, The Duchossois Family Foundation
- Sara Slaughter, Executive Director, W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation
- Christy Uchida, Senior Program Officer, The Brinson Foundation
2019 National Forum Local Partners Committee
The 2019 National Forum Local Partners Committee is comprised of local philanthropic networks and philanthropic advisory firms that work with multiple families in the greater Chicago region. Local Partners Committee members include:
- Laura Coy, Director of Community Engagement, William Blair & Company
- Abbe Temkin, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, The Chicago Community Trust
- Dawn Melchiorre, Vice President, Member Engagement, Forefront
- Ruth Easterling, Managing Director, Family Office Exchange
- Betsy Brill, President, Mollie Bunis, Managing Director Philanthropic Services, Strategic Philanthropy, Ltd.
- Bruce Boyd, Principal, Kate McAdams, Managing Director, Arabella Advisors
- Sarah Berg, Senior Philanthropy Advisor, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
- Tara D’Agostino, Director, Tax, KPMG
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