Plenary Speakers
Jeffrey C. Hall, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Lowell Observatory
Jeffrey C. Hall has been Executive Director of Lowell Observatory since 2010. Initially joining the Observatory as a postdoctoral research fellow in 1992, Hall specialized in stellar astrophysics and the study of the Sun and sun-like stars.
Under his guidance in progressively more responsible roles over his tenure, Lowell Observatory achieved notable milestones. In 2015, the institution successfully constructed and commissioned the groundbreaking $53M Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT).
Following on that ambitious project, Hall has led the Observatory team through the development of the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center (ADC), raising an additional $53M to complete the construction of the state-of-the-art facility, set to open in late 2024. Under Jeff's leadership, the Observatory has secured substantial funding through university partnerships, generous donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals, and philanthropic contributions. He has also provided consulting services to a number of organizations, including the Yerkes Future Foundation, the Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association, and numerous non-profit organizations around Flagstaff, in connection with organizational, financial, and capital project challenges they were facing.
Beyond Lowell Observatory, Hall is recognized as an inaugural Fellow of the American Astronomical Society and has chaired key committees, including the standing committee on Light Pollution, Radio Interference, and Space Debris. Additionally, he holds the prestigious position of Chair of the Solar Observatory Council for the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy. In his personal life, Jeff finds joy in music, serving as an assistant organist at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Flagstaff. He also enjoys reading, gaming, and participating in triathlons. Hall resides in Flagstaff with his wife, Schenley. They have three grown sons, Jonathan, Benjamin, and Nicholas.
Executive Director, Lowell Observatory
Jeffrey C. Hall has been Executive Director of Lowell Observatory since 2010. Initially joining the Observatory as a postdoctoral research fellow in 1992, Hall specialized in stellar astrophysics and the study of the Sun and sun-like stars.
Under his guidance in progressively more responsible roles over his tenure, Lowell Observatory achieved notable milestones. In 2015, the institution successfully constructed and commissioned the groundbreaking $53M Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT).
Following on that ambitious project, Hall has led the Observatory team through the development of the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center (ADC), raising an additional $53M to complete the construction of the state-of-the-art facility, set to open in late 2024. Under Jeff's leadership, the Observatory has secured substantial funding through university partnerships, generous donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals, and philanthropic contributions. He has also provided consulting services to a number of organizations, including the Yerkes Future Foundation, the Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association, and numerous non-profit organizations around Flagstaff, in connection with organizational, financial, and capital project challenges they were facing.
Beyond Lowell Observatory, Hall is recognized as an inaugural Fellow of the American Astronomical Society and has chaired key committees, including the standing committee on Light Pollution, Radio Interference, and Space Debris. Additionally, he holds the prestigious position of Chair of the Solar Observatory Council for the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy. In his personal life, Jeff finds joy in music, serving as an assistant organist at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Flagstaff. He also enjoys reading, gaming, and participating in triathlons. Hall resides in Flagstaff with his wife, Schenley. They have three grown sons, Jonathan, Benjamin, and Nicholas.
Chad Barger, CFRE
Founder, Productive Fundraising
Chad specializes in teaching the latest research-based fundraising tactics and making them approachable for small, community-based nonprofit organizations. He is the host of a popular free monthly webinar series and a bit of a personal productivity nerd and loves to share tips to help busy professionals work more efficiently and effectively.
On his website, productivefundraising.com, Chad curates top notch fundraising toolkits designed to fast track implementation of fundraising best practices. He is a highly rated nonprofit fundraising speaker, master trainer and coach. Chad and the lovely Mrs. Barger are busy raising two tween boys in "the sweetest place on earth," Hershey, PA. He's an adventurous eater, avid hiker, trail maintainer, scout leader, world traveler and arts lover.
web: productivefundraising.com - Twitter/Instagram: @fundraiserchad
Founder, Productive Fundraising
Chad specializes in teaching the latest research-based fundraising tactics and making them approachable for small, community-based nonprofit organizations. He is the host of a popular free monthly webinar series and a bit of a personal productivity nerd and loves to share tips to help busy professionals work more efficiently and effectively.
On his website, productivefundraising.com, Chad curates top notch fundraising toolkits designed to fast track implementation of fundraising best practices. He is a highly rated nonprofit fundraising speaker, master trainer and coach. Chad and the lovely Mrs. Barger are busy raising two tween boys in "the sweetest place on earth," Hershey, PA. He's an adventurous eater, avid hiker, trail maintainer, scout leader, world traveler and arts lover.
web: productivefundraising.com - Twitter/Instagram: @fundraiserchad
Alice Ferris, MBA, CFRE, ACFRE
Founding Partner, GoalBusters Consulting
Alice L. Ferris is the founder of GoalBusters, providing hands-on, comprehensive leadership for small fundraising teams. For more than 30 years, Alice has worked extensively in fundraising for small nonprofits in many charitable areas, including public media, rural healthcare, education, and science.
Alice thrives in finding creative solutions for the fundraising challenges of small organizations, as well as teaching and training about practical and realistic tactics. As counsel, Alice is in the trenches, serving as Director of Development for KAWC Colorado River Public Media and Border Radio in Yuma, Arizona, since 2006. Alice is also recognized for her on-air presence on public television and radio pledge drives and national PBS fundraisers such as Downton Abbey and The Civil War. She was the 90th professional to achieve the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) credential, was the 21st recipient of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Founders’ Medallion, recognizing extraordinary service to the sector, and is a three-time honoree as AFP-Northern Arizona Fundraising Professional of the Year. In addition, Alice teaches for the Masters in Nonprofit Leadership at the University of Denver, serves on the University of Wisconsin Communication Arts Partners (CAPS) Board as the Internships Co-chair, is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) Ambassador, and represents GoalBusters as an Associate Member of Rogare, the international fundraising think tank. She is also a Working Genius Certified Trainer.
When not fundraising, Alice hosts epic Chinese New Year parties, is a slow runner, and is a retired competition ballroom dancer.
web: goalbusters.net - Instagram: @aliceferris
Founding Partner, GoalBusters Consulting
Alice L. Ferris is the founder of GoalBusters, providing hands-on, comprehensive leadership for small fundraising teams. For more than 30 years, Alice has worked extensively in fundraising for small nonprofits in many charitable areas, including public media, rural healthcare, education, and science.
Alice thrives in finding creative solutions for the fundraising challenges of small organizations, as well as teaching and training about practical and realistic tactics. As counsel, Alice is in the trenches, serving as Director of Development for KAWC Colorado River Public Media and Border Radio in Yuma, Arizona, since 2006. Alice is also recognized for her on-air presence on public television and radio pledge drives and national PBS fundraisers such as Downton Abbey and The Civil War. She was the 90th professional to achieve the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) credential, was the 21st recipient of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Founders’ Medallion, recognizing extraordinary service to the sector, and is a three-time honoree as AFP-Northern Arizona Fundraising Professional of the Year. In addition, Alice teaches for the Masters in Nonprofit Leadership at the University of Denver, serves on the University of Wisconsin Communication Arts Partners (CAPS) Board as the Internships Co-chair, is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) Ambassador, and represents GoalBusters as an Associate Member of Rogare, the international fundraising think tank. She is also a Working Genius Certified Trainer.
When not fundraising, Alice hosts epic Chinese New Year parties, is a slow runner, and is a retired competition ballroom dancer.
web: goalbusters.net - Instagram: @aliceferris
Presentation and Workshop speakers
Lisa Actor
Chief Philanthropy Officer, Lowell Observatory
In her 37 years as a professional fundraiser, Lisa Actor has led development teams of four to twenty members, raising over $250 million. She has been the Executive Director of a small nonprofit and the Associate Vice President of a private university.
Lisa is currently the Chief Philanthropy Officer at Lowell Observatory where she successfully led a $53.6 million capital campaign for a new astronomy discovery center. Lisa credits her success to the principles of servant leadership – listening, appreciation, humility, trust, and caring – applied to fundraising. Ask less. Raise more.
Chief Philanthropy Officer, Lowell Observatory
In her 37 years as a professional fundraiser, Lisa Actor has led development teams of four to twenty members, raising over $250 million. She has been the Executive Director of a small nonprofit and the Associate Vice President of a private university.
Lisa is currently the Chief Philanthropy Officer at Lowell Observatory where she successfully led a $53.6 million capital campaign for a new astronomy discovery center. Lisa credits her success to the principles of servant leadership – listening, appreciation, humility, trust, and caring – applied to fundraising. Ask less. Raise more.
Josh Hirsch, MS
Josh Hirsch is the Director of Brand Strategy for Barlele and Digital Media Manager for The Fund Raising School at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. He has worked in the nonprofit sector since 2006 with a focus on educational philanthropy for both public charter and independent private schools.
Josh has an extensive background in social media, digital communications, and marketing along with experience in grant research and writing, individual giving, special event planning, stewardship, and cultivation of donors. He is the Florida Caucus Representative for the Association of Fundraising Professionals First Coast Chapter and Past-President of the Palm Beach County Chapter. Josh is also a member of the AFPeeps, the social media vanguard for the AFP International Conference and other AFP initiatives.
Josh educates on digital communications and has had numerous articles published in professional journals. Josh received a Master of Science in Family, Youth and Community Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Florida. He has a Certificate in Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy from Bay Path University and is a Certified Social Media Strategist by the National Institute for Social Media.
Annagreta Jacobson, GPC
Consultant/Grant Specialist, GoalBusters Consulting
Annagreta Jacobson has more than 20 years of research and writing experience, serving various organizations, including Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff Family YMCA, Northern Arizona Food Bank, and Mountain Charter School.
Contributing to the success of GoalBusters clients since 2010, Annagreta’s research and proposal development experience also includes a variety of education, social service, science, and public media projects. Annagreta started resource development work in Seattle, Washington, at the United Way of King County and the Swedish Medical Center Foundation. Later, while pursuing a Masters in Not-for-Profit Leadership, Annagreta served as an annual giving manager and major gifts officer for Seattle University within the Albers School of Business and Economics. The joy of writing project proposals to secure student scholarship and professorship endowments led Annagreta to pursue grant writing beyond the university arena.
Since 2004, Annagreta and her family have enjoyed living in the Flagstaff community, raising two kids, and pursuing life interests, including residential architectural drafting, hiking, skiing, and teaching yoga. She earned the Grant Professional Certified credential in 2022.
Consultant/Grant Specialist, GoalBusters Consulting
Annagreta Jacobson has more than 20 years of research and writing experience, serving various organizations, including Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff Family YMCA, Northern Arizona Food Bank, and Mountain Charter School.
Contributing to the success of GoalBusters clients since 2010, Annagreta’s research and proposal development experience also includes a variety of education, social service, science, and public media projects. Annagreta started resource development work in Seattle, Washington, at the United Way of King County and the Swedish Medical Center Foundation. Later, while pursuing a Masters in Not-for-Profit Leadership, Annagreta served as an annual giving manager and major gifts officer for Seattle University within the Albers School of Business and Economics. The joy of writing project proposals to secure student scholarship and professorship endowments led Annagreta to pursue grant writing beyond the university arena.
Since 2004, Annagreta and her family have enjoyed living in the Flagstaff community, raising two kids, and pursuing life interests, including residential architectural drafting, hiking, skiing, and teaching yoga. She earned the Grant Professional Certified credential in 2022.
Robin A. Kasel, CFRE
Founder, Cornerstone Consulting Solutions
Robin has more than 20 years of experience in sales, project and account management and professional fundraising. She started in promotional merchandising working with clients such as Target, Kohls, Kimberly-Clark and Sam’s Club before transitioning into the professional fundraising industry with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA Aviation Foundation) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Robin has extensive, practical experience in annual fund management, strategy and fund development, capital campaigns, board management, event planning and major gift fundraising. With a degree in Psychology, she understands what drives people to make the decisions they do and what causes them to give.
Robin has been a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) since 2014 and has received her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2020. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin and chairs their Gala committee, and the Canary Fund of Green Bay that focuses on granting change-makers in Northeast Wisconsin who work to address unmet needs in our communities. She also recently joined the Development Committee of the Women’s Fund of the Fox Valley. When not fundraising, Robin enjoys spending time with her family and training in the martial arts with her two children.
In November 2021, Robin earned her black belt in karate. 尊敬 Sonkei
Founder, Cornerstone Consulting Solutions
Robin has more than 20 years of experience in sales, project and account management and professional fundraising. She started in promotional merchandising working with clients such as Target, Kohls, Kimberly-Clark and Sam’s Club before transitioning into the professional fundraising industry with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA Aviation Foundation) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Robin has extensive, practical experience in annual fund management, strategy and fund development, capital campaigns, board management, event planning and major gift fundraising. With a degree in Psychology, she understands what drives people to make the decisions they do and what causes them to give.
Robin has been a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) since 2014 and has received her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2020. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin and chairs their Gala committee, and the Canary Fund of Green Bay that focuses on granting change-makers in Northeast Wisconsin who work to address unmet needs in our communities. She also recently joined the Development Committee of the Women’s Fund of the Fox Valley. When not fundraising, Robin enjoys spending time with her family and training in the martial arts with her two children.
In November 2021, Robin earned her black belt in karate. 尊敬 Sonkei
Ben Mohler, M.A., CFRE, ACFRE
Chief Executive & Principal Consultant, GivingThree
Ben Mohler, MA, CFRE, ACFRE is the chief executive and principal consultant of GivingThree. Prior to this he served in key advancement roles for Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Eastern Kentucky University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Cedarville University, and University of Texas at Austin. He completed the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota philanthropy and development graduate program and has obtained his CFRE and ACFRE.
He has served two full terms as a member of the ACFRE Credentialing Board. He currently serves on the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy Journal Advisory Council and the boards of both AFP Global and United Way of Kentucky.
Chief Executive & Principal Consultant, GivingThree
Ben Mohler, MA, CFRE, ACFRE is the chief executive and principal consultant of GivingThree. Prior to this he served in key advancement roles for Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Eastern Kentucky University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Cedarville University, and University of Texas at Austin. He completed the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota philanthropy and development graduate program and has obtained his CFRE and ACFRE.
He has served two full terms as a member of the ACFRE Credentialing Board. He currently serves on the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy Journal Advisory Council and the boards of both AFP Global and United Way of Kentucky.
J.C. Patrick, Marketing & Fundraising Consultant
Founder, JC Patrick Consulting
J.C. has over 30 years of development experience and an extensive background in marketing. JC has worked with GoalBusters clients since 2014. She specializes in corporate and individual giving programs, writing donor communications, program analysis, social media, generational trends, fundraising for public broadcasting, and marketing plan designs.
JC spent ten years as the Station Development Manager for NPR, working with 800+ member stations in all areas of corporate fundraising, with a focus on online sponsorship and generational marketing. She held two positions at Houston Public Radio – Director of Corporate Support and Director of Marketing and Development, where she and her team were the recipients of national awards in marketing, underwriting, and overall development. JC began her career in commercial television production, then moved into advertising before coming to fundraising. She is a frequent presenter at industry conferences and workshops.
JC holds a BA in Radio/TV from the University of Houston and is a graduate of the Honors College. She successfully earned RAB’s title of Certified Digital Marketing Consultant and is currently working toward her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential. JC lives on ten mountaintop acres in rural Arkansas with her family and pets. She spends her free time writing her blog, making and selling jewelry, and collecting all manner of interesting antiques.
Founder, JC Patrick Consulting
J.C. has over 30 years of development experience and an extensive background in marketing. JC has worked with GoalBusters clients since 2014. She specializes in corporate and individual giving programs, writing donor communications, program analysis, social media, generational trends, fundraising for public broadcasting, and marketing plan designs.
JC spent ten years as the Station Development Manager for NPR, working with 800+ member stations in all areas of corporate fundraising, with a focus on online sponsorship and generational marketing. She held two positions at Houston Public Radio – Director of Corporate Support and Director of Marketing and Development, where she and her team were the recipients of national awards in marketing, underwriting, and overall development. JC began her career in commercial television production, then moved into advertising before coming to fundraising. She is a frequent presenter at industry conferences and workshops.
JC holds a BA in Radio/TV from the University of Houston and is a graduate of the Honors College. She successfully earned RAB’s title of Certified Digital Marketing Consultant and is currently working toward her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential. JC lives on ten mountaintop acres in rural Arkansas with her family and pets. She spends her free time writing her blog, making and selling jewelry, and collecting all manner of interesting antiques.
Dave Tinker, MPA, MISST, CFRE, FAFP
Vice President of Advancement, Achieva and Consultant, GoalBusters
Dave has more than thirty years of fundraising, communications, and nonprofit management experience through his executive fundraising and communications positions with nonprofit organizations including Achieva, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, and Pittsburgh Vision Services. He began his nonprofit career in 1990 at Ketchum, Inc., Fundraising Counsel, and specializes in fundraising at smaller nonprofit organizations, implementing marketing and social media campaigns, technology planning and implementation, finding compelling stories for organizational case statements, and making any campaign more effective and engaging. Dave earned his Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2001 and was named by his peers as one of the first six Distinguished Fellows of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (FAFP) in 2017 - the largest association for fundraising professionals in the world.
web: Achieva - LinkedIn: Dave Tinker - Twitter: @davethecfre
Vice President of Advancement, Achieva and Consultant, GoalBusters
Dave has more than thirty years of fundraising, communications, and nonprofit management experience through his executive fundraising and communications positions with nonprofit organizations including Achieva, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, and Pittsburgh Vision Services. He began his nonprofit career in 1990 at Ketchum, Inc., Fundraising Counsel, and specializes in fundraising at smaller nonprofit organizations, implementing marketing and social media campaigns, technology planning and implementation, finding compelling stories for organizational case statements, and making any campaign more effective and engaging. Dave earned his Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2001 and was named by his peers as one of the first six Distinguished Fellows of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (FAFP) in 2017 - the largest association for fundraising professionals in the world.
web: Achieva - LinkedIn: Dave Tinker - Twitter: @davethecfre
Master of Ceremonies
Jim Anderson, CFRE
Partner, GoalBusters Consulting
Jim Anderson is a "contingency strategist." He evaluates "the now" with attention to existing conditions, potential organizational risks and a determination to charting a path to success. Tactically, he specializes in marketing and branding strategy, crisis communications, social media relevance, DIY multimedia production, direct sales and sponsorship training programs. He's been accused of "printing money" but that's an exaggeration.
Jim frequently supports public media pledge drives with passionate, entertaining and effective on-air appeals coast to coast. Jim is the VP of Education for the AFP Northern Arizona Chapter. He has served as AFP NAZ chapter President three times and has served on the AFP International Communications and Marketing Committee, the Committee on Directorship. He is an AFP Faculty Training Academy graduate. Jim was honored as the 2010 Association of Fundraising Professionals Northern Arizona Fundraising Professional of the Year. Jim speaks Spanish, is an avid photographer, and is a Google verified local guide with more than 107,000,000 views of his 360° photos on Google Maps.
web: goalbusters.net - Twitter/Instagram: @goalbustersjim @goalbusters
Partner, GoalBusters Consulting
Jim Anderson is a "contingency strategist." He evaluates "the now" with attention to existing conditions, potential organizational risks and a determination to charting a path to success. Tactically, he specializes in marketing and branding strategy, crisis communications, social media relevance, DIY multimedia production, direct sales and sponsorship training programs. He's been accused of "printing money" but that's an exaggeration.
Jim frequently supports public media pledge drives with passionate, entertaining and effective on-air appeals coast to coast. Jim is the VP of Education for the AFP Northern Arizona Chapter. He has served as AFP NAZ chapter President three times and has served on the AFP International Communications and Marketing Committee, the Committee on Directorship. He is an AFP Faculty Training Academy graduate. Jim was honored as the 2010 Association of Fundraising Professionals Northern Arizona Fundraising Professional of the Year. Jim speaks Spanish, is an avid photographer, and is a Google verified local guide with more than 107,000,000 views of his 360° photos on Google Maps.
web: goalbusters.net - Twitter/Instagram: @goalbustersjim @goalbusters