Bri Gerzevske is a veteran fundraiser with nearly 15 years of experience in the faith-based and social-service sectors. Today she runs the fundraising shop at St. Patrick Center, a ministry of Catholic Charities of St. Louis, which serves those who are experiencing homelessness or near-homelessness. By leveraging joy and belonging this year, she led her team through a record-breaking year-end campaign. Her constant refrain to the community: ending homelessness requires every heart and every hand, and we can only achieve this goal when we make change together.

Lasha Murray is the Owner and Founder of The Unapologetic Leadership Coach, a coaching firm specializing in soft skills training and career development. With a focus on leadership development, the firm helps organizations retain top talent by equipping Leaders with essential interpersonal skills. The Unapologetic Leadership Coach empowers professionals to cultivate effective communication, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking abilities through personalized coaching programs. By prioritizing these vital soft skills, the firm enables organizations to foster a culture of growth, collaboration, and success, ultimately enhancing employee engagement and retention.

Leanne Baumel, CFRE is the Chief Development Officer at Casa de Esperanza in Houston, TX where she leads a team responsible for the agency’s fundraising, volunteer management, and communications functions.  Leanne has over 20 years of experience in fundraising and volunteer management including over 11 years at Casa de Esperanza. As a people-focused leader, Leanne strives to cultivate the next generation of fundraisers to inspire impact on the Houston area and beyond.

Paul Johnson, Founder and President of Creative Fundraising Advisors, brings over 30 years of fundraising expertise to the table. Since 2014, he has led CFA in supporting a diverse array of prestigious clients, including the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Lincoln Center Theater, and the The Music Center of Los Angeles County and St. John's College in Santa Fe and Annapolis. Before CFA, Paul was a Senior Consultant with Alexander Haas, and held significant development roles at renowned institutions like Columbia University, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Paul's strategic leadership has been pivotal in numerous transformative fundraising campaigns across the United States.

Phelosha Collaros is the Vice President for Board Governance and Strategic Outcomes for St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Phelosha holds a key role in the oversight and implementation of the college’s governance structure, ensuring effective communication and policy management with the Board of Visitors and Governors. Additionally, she is responsible for building strong connections with individuals and organizations who seek educational opportunities and share our passion for lifelong learning. Before joining St. John’s College as the Vice President for Advancement/Development and Alumni Relations, Phelosha was the Foundation Director for the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. A Certified Quality Improvement Associate, she holds degrees in business and public administration from Walden University.

Raiya Sankari-Diaz is a results-driven Senior Global HR Leader with extensive experience driving transformative people strategies across Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and government organizations. She specializes in talent management, strategic planning, and cultural transformation, with a focus on inclusion, psychological safety, and retention. Raiya has led impactful HR initiatives at Kimberly Clark, Mutual of Omaha, and the City of Green Bay, empowering teams to achieve sustainable growth. A trusted advisor and board participant, she aligns HR strategies with organizational goals, fostering inclusive, high-performing workplaces where employees thrive. Raiya’s people-centric leadership inspires healthy, engaged, and equitable workplace cultures.