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

Kelly Nowlin

Kelly D. Nowlin

NCFP Chair | Principal, KDN Philanthropy Consulting | NCFP Fellow (2018–2021)

NCFP Board Member Ashley Blanchard

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

Sam Bonsey

Co-Founder and Executive Director, The ImPact | Vice Chair, Keller Enterprises

Kara Carlisle, McKnight Foundation

Kara Inae Carlisle

Vice President of Programs, McKnight Foundation

David Daniels

David Daniels

CEO, Bainum Family Foundation

Stephanie Ellis-Smith

Owner and CEO, Phila Engaged Giving

Kimberly Myers Hewlett

President, Myers Family Foundation; Director, Flora Family Foundation

Erin Hogan

Managing Director, Philanthropic Market Executive, Bank of America Private Bank

Jaimie Mayer

Board Chair, Nathan Cummings Foundation

Gilbert Miller

Board Chair, Bradley-Turner Foundation; Trustee, Beloco Foundation

Elizabeth Carlock Phillips

Elizabeth Carlock Phillips

Executive Director, Phillips Foundation

Anthony Richardson

President, The George Gund Foundation

Vasser Seydel

Vasser Seydel

Director, Turner Foundation; Chairperson, Turner Foundation 3rd Generation Board

Kimberly Dasher Tripp

Kimberly Dasher Tripp

Founder, Strategy for Scale

June Wilson headshot

June L. Wilson

Executive Director, Compton Foundation | NCFP Fellow (2018–2021)

Our Fellows

Ginny Esposito

Virginia M. Esposito

Senior Fellow and Founding President

David Weitnauer

President, R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation | NCFP Distinguished Fellow

Dimple Abichandani

Board Member, Solidaire Network | NCFP Fellow (2022-2024)

Photo of Erin Borla

Erin Borla

Executive Director & Trustee, Roundhouse Foundation | NCFP Fellow (2022-2024)

CC Gardner Gleser

C’Ardiss “CC” Gardner Gleser

Board Member, Andrus Family Fund and Charlotte Martin Foundation | NCFP Fellow (2022-2024)

Dilnaz Waraich

President, WF Fund | NCFP Fellow (2022-2024)

Alice Buhl

Alice Buhl

Senior Fellow (2004-2019)

Katherine Lorenz

President, The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation; NCFP Fellow (2015-2018)

Mary Mountcastle

Mary Mountcastle

Trustee, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation | NCFP Distinguished Fellow (2018–2021)

Kelly Nowlin

Kelly D. Nowlin

NCFP Chair | Principal, KDN Philanthropy Consulting | NCFP Fellow (2018–2021)

Susan Packard Orr

Distinguished Fellow (2014–2018)

Doug Bitonti Stewart

Doug Bitonti Stewart

Executive Director, Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, NCFP Fellow (2015–2018)

June Wilson headshot

June L. Wilson

Executive Director, Compton Foundation | NCFP Fellow (2018–2021)

Our Staff

Nick Tedesco headshot

Nicholas A. Tedesco

President and CEO

Emerald Adeyemi

Senior Director, Growth and Engagement

Miki Akimoto headshot

Miki Akimoto

Chief Impact Officer

Cassie Bean

Director, Programs

Britt Benavidez

Manager, Programs

Jason Born

Senior Director, Knowledge

Jen Crino headshot

Jen Crino

Senior Manager, Programs

Maureen M. Esposito

Manager, Member Services

Diana Heath headshot

Diana Tyler Heath

Chief Operating Officer

Shannon Jeffries

Shannon Jeffries

Manager, Partnership Development

Sally Jones headshot

Sally Jones

Senior Advisor

Molly Lyons headshot

Molly Lyons

Senior Director, Communications

Maggie McGoldrick headshot

Maggie McGoldrick

Senior Manager, Marketing

Frances Monroe headshot

Frances Monroe

Senior Manager, Data Analysis and Systems

Mumtaz Sadique

Executive Assistant

Miata Sannoh headshot

Miata Sannoh

Manager, Membership

Noelle Santaniello

Executive Assistant to Nick Tedesco

Madeleine Shakotko

Madeleine Shakotko

Senior Manager, Finance and Operations

Sokol Shtylla headshot

Sokol Shtylla

Senior Director, Programs

Daria Teutonico

Director, Programs

Christy Vickers headshot

Christy Vickers

Associate, Marketing and Communications

Program Consultants

Elaine Gast Fawcett

Elaine Gast Fawcett

Contributing Editor, NCFP

Headshot of Tony Macklin

Tony Macklin

Senior Program Consultant

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.

2022 National Forum Advisory Committees

2022 National Forum Planning Committee

The 2022 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 family philanthropy.

The 2022 National Forum Planning  Committee is co-chaired by Allison Magee of the Zellerbach Family Foudnation and Kimberly Myers Hewlett of the Flora Family Foundation and the Myers Family Foundation.  Additional Planning Committee members include:

  • Theodore Avery, The Durfee Foundation
  • Faiza Bukhari, Walter & Elise Haas Fund
  • Liz Dozier, Chicago Beyond
  • Shawn Escoffery, Roy and Patricia Disney Family Foundation
  • Audrey Jacobs, The Sarafina Group, Inc.
  • Diane Kaplan, Rasmuson Foundation
  • Dwayne Marsh, Northern California Grantmakers
  • Julia Matsudaira, Jordan Park
  • Tess McNair, C.E. and S. Foundation
  • Elizabeth Newton, Crown Family Philanthropies
  • Judi Powell, Silicon Valley Community Foundation
  • Phuong Quach, Northern California Grantmakers
  • Kate Seng, GHR Foundation
  • Kathleen Simpson, The Russell Family Foundation
  • A. Sparks, Masto Foundation
  • Kathy Tenhula, Frechette Family Foundation
  • Kimberly Dasher Tripp, Strategy for Scale
  • Christy Uchida, The Brinson Foundation
  • Ellie Frey Zagel, Frey Foundation

2022 National Forum Host Committee

The 2022 National Forum Host Committee is comprised of family foundations and donors that actively fund in the Bay Area 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 2022 National Forum Host Committee is chaired by Cathy Cha of the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund and Kimberly Myers Hewlett of the Flora Family Foundation and the Myers Family Foundation.  Additional Host Committee members include:

  • Dimple Abichandani, General Service Foundation
  • Tegan Acton, Wildcard Giving
  • Berit Ashla, Fremont Group
  • Anne Marie Burgoyne, Emerson Collective
  • Carmela Castellano-Garcia, Castellano Family Foundation
  • Sophie Fanelli, Stuart Foundation
  • Carla Fredericks, The Christensen Fund
  • Crystal Hayling, The Libra Foundation
  • Chris Helfrich, Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation
  • Stacie Ma’a, Gerbode Foundation
  • Missy Narula, Crankstart Foundation
  • David Orr, The David & Lucile Packard Foundation
  • Carolyn Wall Sakata, Baszucki Family Foundation
  • Lisa Sobrato Sonsini, Sobrato Family Foundation
  • A. Sparks, Masto Foundation
  • Nicole Systrom, Sutro Energy Group

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