2022 Nonprofit OpCon

Upcoming Events

Conference

June 09, 2022

Conference

2022 Nonprofit OpCon

Hebrew Union College

1 West 4th Street, New York, NY

Thursday

8:00AM - 5:00PM

Streamlining Processes and Operations for New York Nonprofits

Event Description

This event focuses on streamlining processes and operations for nonprofits in New York. How do we make things easier and more pleasant for executive leadership, operations, IT, risk, finance, HR and more? There are new industry standards to consider, and new guidelines around applying for public funds to learn. Bring your organization into the 21st century and abandon old practices that are depleting your valuable resources! It’s a new day in the nonprofit industry; join us as we explore these insights and strategies.

Speakers

Adam M. Doyno

Director of Development, CUNY School of Public Health

Active in fundraising since 2007, Adam is the Founding Executive Director of the CUNY School of Public Health Foundation. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Fundraising Professionals-NYC Chapter and the 125th Street Business Improvement District in Harlem. In 2021 he was honored by NYNMedia Nonprofit as part of their annual 40 Under 40 Class.

Ryan Young

Chief Operating and Financial Officer, Community Change

Ryan Young is the Chief of Operations and Organizational Sustainability at Community Change (Center for Community Change) a national organization founded in 1968 by leaders of the civil rights, labor, and anti-poverty movements as a living memorial to Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Since its founding, Community Change has built the power of people directly affected by injustice—people of color, women, immigrants, people struggling to make ends meet—to envision and fight for a society where all people and communities thrive. At Community Change, Ryan is responsible for the implementation of the organizations’ business plan and long-term sustainability initiatives. Most recently he has been the executive lead on the organizations’ data and technology transformation change effort. Ryan has oversight of internal infrastructure teams, organizational financial management, compliance teams for 501c3, c4, and pac activity, and works closely with the Boards of Directors. Ryan also oversees the organization’s socially screened endowment.

Keith Little

President & CEO, SCO Family of Services

Keith Little was appointed President & CEO of SCO Family of Services on January 1, 2018. In this role, he assumes oversight of the agency’s extensive continuum of residential and community-based child welfare, early childhood, youth development, family support, special needs, and homeless services. Keith joined SCO in September 2017 as Deputy Executive Director. A hands-on leader with over 30 years of experience at state, city, and nonprofit organizations, Mr. Little brings considerable expertise in the provision of mental health, health care, child welfare, and juvenile justice programs. He has been a tireless advocate for children, youth, and families throughout the metropolitan area. Keith joins SCO from his recent position as Executive Director at Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families, where he was credited with building organizational capacity, external collaborations, and financial sustainability. He has held senior organizational and program leadership positions at the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) for two decades. He last served as Associate Commissioner and Deputy Director at OMH, where he was responsible for the direction and oversight of State Operations, including 13 statewide child and adolescent psychiatric centers/units; the coordination of state-local services via regional OMH field offices; and oversight of Division State Operations budget and spending plans. His vast experience includes posts at the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services and the New York City Department of Health. Keith earned an MPA from Baruch College, City University of New York, and a bachelor’s degree from University of Bridgeport. He currently sits on the Boards of Directors of COFCCA and the Collaboration of Children and Families (CCF), the Priority and Strategy Council for the Human Services Council, and is a lead member of the Black Agency Executives.

Michelle Yanche

Executive Director, Good Shepherd Services

Michelle Yanche is the Executive Director of Good Shepherd Services, a leading youth development, education and family service agency that serves over 30,000 individuals each year. Previously, Ms. Yanche served as Good Shepherd Services’ Associate Executive Director for Government and External Relations, overseeing the agency’s work in the areas of compliance and risk management, fundraising and development, government and community relations, public policy and advocacy, and communications and marketing. Ms. Yanche serves on the boards of directors of the New York State Network for Youth Success, the New York State Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families, and the National LGBT Cancer Network. She is a member of Government Affairs Professionals and has served as a member of a number of governmental advisory groups, including the Department of Education’s Middle School Success Advisory Group, the New York City Council Middle School Task Force, the Commission on Economic Opportunity’s Education Workgroup, and the Mayor’s Out-of-School Time Advisory Group. Ms. Yanche received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University and a Master of Public Administration, with a specialization in public finance, from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, where she has also served as an adjunct faculty member.

Lew Zuchman

Executive Director, SCAN-Harbor

Lewis Zuchman serves as Executive Director of SCAN-Harbor, a Harlem, East Harlem and South Bronx based Youth and Family service provider. He joined SCAN-Harbor in 1987; during this time, SCAN-Harbor has grown from a relatively small, child welfare focused agency, to become the largest Youth Service provider in the Harlem, East Harlem and South Bronx communities, serving approximately 7,000 youth and 1,000 adults each year. Lewis Zuchman was an original 1961 Freedom Rider and has received significant recognition for his vital contributions to the 1960’s Civil Rights movement. He serves as a Civil Rights spokesperson for Facing History and Ourselves. He is the Founding President of the Human Services Consortium of East Harlem. Lewis is currently an Adjunct Professor at the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at the City College of New York.

John Eusanio, CPA, CGMA

Partner and Not-For Profit Practice Leader, Citrin Cooperman

John Eusanio is a partner in Citrin Cooperman's New York City office and practice leader of the firm's Not-For-Profit Practice. He has nearly 20 years of public accounting experience providing auditing and accounting services to clients in the not-for-profit, education, and health care sectors. Prior to joining Citrin Cooperman, John was an audit partner at CohnReznick. In addition, John has significant “Big 4” experience, where he also completed a three-year national rotation within KPMG in which he assisted engagement teams serving various governmental and not-for-profit clients. John has experience providing financial statement audit services to a wide variety of entities, including social service organizations, foundations, associations, state and local governmental agencies, colleges and universities, health care providers, community and teaching hospitals, long-term care facilities, academic medical centers, and other 501(c)(3) organizations. He also advises clients on accounting and auditing matters relating to Uniform Guidance audits, employee benefit plans, tax-exempt bond offerings, and cost report certifications. John is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA), and the New York Society of Association Executives (NYSAE). John earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting at Dowling College. He is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York, a Chartered Global Management Accountant, and the firm’s representative for the Governmental Audit Quality Center (GAQC). John contributes to regular communications and e-alerts for the Not- For-Profit Practice. He also facilitates technical trainings to boards, client management, and internal staff on various not-for-profit technical matters and governance considerations. In addition, John routinely attends not-for-profit conferences and participates as either a presenter, sponsor, or participant in roundtable and panel discussions.

Claas Ehlers

CEO, Family Promise

Claas Ehlers is the Chief Executive Officer of Family Promise, the national nonprofit leader on the issue of family homelessness. Born in New York State, he lived in multiple household settings in his first six years, impressing on him the critical need for stability for children and families. A graduate of New York University, Claas worked in video production, publishing, business development, and advertising while also teaching English as an adjunct professor at two local community colleges. From his work with low-income students, he saw first-hand the struggle of families to change their economic circumstances. In 2002, he was able to align his passion for social justice with his career, joining Family Promise to lead a project to diversify the faith groups involved in its programs. In 2003 he accepted the role of Director of Affiliate Development and later Affiliate Services, and in January of 2016 became the second CEO in the organization’s 28-year history. Claas frequently presents on the issues of family homelessness, poverty, and volunteer engagement and serves on advisory committees for Overlook Hospital, The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and Sesame Street in Communities. Outside of work, Claas’s interests include running, hiking, the New York Mets, music, and cooking. He lives in Mountainside, NJ with his wife, Ellen Pluta, a professor at Stern School of Business at NYU and has three children: Arabella, Luke, and Colette.

Arva Rice

President & CEO, New York Urban League, Inc.

Arva Rice is a passionate community leader who has dedicated herself to creating pathways to success for young people with a focus on girls and women. Arva currently serves as President & CEO of the New York Urban League. The New York Urban League is leading the way underserved African-Americans are educated, employed and empowered across the 5 boroughs. For the past 100 years we’ve inspired, influenced and ignited over 1 million black people to achieve their highest aspirations. Arva is a member of the Women’s Forum, Greater New York Chapter of The Links Incorporated, a Commissioner for the NYC Equal Employment Practices Commission and Trustee at First Corinthians Baptist Church. Arva is a 2013-2014 Annie Casey Fellow, a national fellowship for government and nonprofit leaders focused on supporting innovation solutions for children. Arva graduated from the Northwestern University. She currently lives in Harlem.

Surjit Chana

Chairman of the Board, Care for the Homeless

Surjit Chana is a Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellow and Board Vice Chairman of Care for the Homeless and a Board Director of the University of Surrey Foundation. Surjit has over 35 years’ experience in the private and social sectors. Surjit has deep general management, marketing & communications, operations, sales/fundraising, strategy, CSR, governance, technology and digital skills. His prior roles include Chief Operating Officer, IBM Digital, Chief Marketing, Communications and CSR Officer, IBM Europe and Executive Vice President of a nonprofit Women's World Banking. Surjit was a member of IBM's Global Senior Leadership Team for 10 years. His 2017 Harvard Fellowship focused on advanced leadership skills to address societal challenges and impact of technology on leadership skills. His fellowship project is focused on defining solutions to reduce inter-generational poverty and improve gender equality. Surjit was born in India, grew up in the UK and now lives in New York. He is a Physics graduate from the University of Surrey and holds patents for his work on transaction processing systems and expert systems / artificial intelligence.

Amy West

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, AHRC NYC

Amy graduated Summa Cum Laude from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. She is actively involved in Hunter College’s Mentoring Program, Secretary of the Financial Managers Association and is a member of the New York State Society of CPAs Not-For-Profit Committee. In addition, she serves on the AICPA Not-For-Profit Industry Conference Steering Committee and NYSARC’s Financial Sustainability and CFO Committees. Amy also served on the Financial Committee of Human Services Council’s “New York Nonprofits in the Aftermath of FEGS: A Call to Action” project.

Yolanda Robano-Gross

Chief Executive Officer, Options for Community Living, Inc.

Yolanda Robano-Gross joined Options for Community Living (Options) as Executive Director in 2014 with more than twenty years of prior executive level experience within the health care industry. She was formerly the VP of Developmental Disabilities Residential Services at FEGS Health and Human Services, a not-for-profit agency with programs throughout metropolitan New York. In addition to her experience at FEGS, she served as Director of Developmental Disabilities Services at PSCH, a comprehensive human services agency. Her additional prior experience includes Adjunct Field Instructor Liaison for SUNY Stony Brook University, Operations Director for Global Healthcare Staffing and Director of Quality Assurance for the Beacon Group. She earned a Master’s in Health Care Administration from Hofstra University, Master’s in Social Work from Yeshiva University and Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Marist College. She additionally holds a certificate in Executive Education, Non-Profit Leadership from The Fordham Center for Non-Profit Leaders and is currently enrolled in the Not-for-Profit Management in a Changing World, certificate program at Hofstra University. Yolanda also serves as an executive board member and secretary for the Advanced Health Network (AHN) and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.

Eleanor "Ellie" Hume

Director, Your Part-Time Controller, LLC

Ellie Hume is the Director and market leader in charge of YPTC’s New York metropolitan-area practice and helped establish their NYC office in 2012. Ms. Hume has been working with non-profit and governmental organizations to build stronger accounting departments for almost 20 years and enjoys digging in, cleaning things up and finding the most efficient processes to cut down on overhead costs. She takes pride in helping non-profits achieve their missions through better accounting practices. Ms. Hume began her career in Washington, DC with the Department of the Navy, where she took an active role helping multiple agencies implement procedures and systems in an effort to comply with public audit standards. Prior to joining YPTC, she worked for a few non-profit organizations in controllership/CFO roles, gaining a full understanding of the many hats non-profit staff often have to wear. Ellie is a CPA and member of the New York State Society of CPAs and the AICPA and serves on the NYSSCPA Not-for-Profit Organizations Committee. She holds an M.B.A. from George Mason University and a B.S. in Business Administration and Accounting from Shepherd University. When she’s not working, Ellie enjoys cooking and spending time with family.

Sharon Cody

Nonprofit Market Manager, Labyrinth, Inc and Harbor Compliance

Ms. Cody is the Nonprofit Partnership Manager at Labyrinth, Inc. and Harbor Compliance, a leading provider of nonprofit compliance solutions. She has more than 30 years of experience as an attorney, charitable fundraiser, foundation executive, donor, and nonprofit board member. She writes and speaks frequently on fundraising compliance best practices for tax exempt organizations. Sharon formerly led the philanthropic fundraising team of a public media organization, served as the executive director at a children’s health foundation, and spent 11 years in private law practice. She received her bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and her Juris Doctor from Penn State Dickinson School of Law.

Roberta Katz

Founder, Roberta Katz Consulting

Roberta Katz is the founder of Roberta Katz Consulting, a nonprofit consulting business that provides nonprofit organizations with the advice, guidance and tools that have proven to be effective in building and maintaining strong finance departments. Prior to starting her consulting business, Roberta held key senior financial management positions in several major nonprofit organizations for 15 years and experienced the day-to-day challenges faced by their finance departments. She successfully implemented innovative and practical solutions resulting in streamlined processes and operational and procedural efficiencies that she now provides to nonprofits as a consultant. Roberta spent the early part of her career as an auditor for a Big Four accounting firm and as a tax manager for a mid-sized CPA firm. Roberta earned an M.B.A in Accounting from CUNY, Bernard M. Baruch Graduate School and a B.A. in Mathematics from Stern College for Women. Roberta has had articles published in The CPA Journal, The NonProfit Times, LinkedIn and has produced webinars addressing critical issues faced by nonprofit finance departments.

Greg Cornell-Casey

Owner, Producer, ArchiteX Inc.

Greg first became involved in the technical management of live events in 2008, and quickly began managing various technical elements of high-profile shows all over the world. He has dedicated himself to increasing quality and value for his customers by creating proprietary systems, air-tight planning and communications frameworks, and employing a roster of industry leaders to ensure the highest quality execution. When he takes off the headset, Greg spends his free time mostly in the woods; backpacking, biking, or kayaking.

Linda Santinoceto

Executive Director for the Nonprofit Sector, TriNet

Linda Santinoceto has over 20 years in business leadership expertise. During her career she built a reputation for operational excellence, innovative strategic thinking and working with the highest level of integrity and a deep and passionate commitment to people first. As Executive Director for the Nonprofit Sector at TriNet, Linda is responsible for national industry GTM, Alliances and Business Development. Prior to joining TriNet, Linda served as CEO of Junior Achievement NorCal. Under her leadership, JA NorCal underwent a three-year period of hypergrowth including merging four area operations into JA Northern CA and growing her Board of Directors to 55 contributing c-level executives. She was recognized as becoming a top 10 Junior Achievement operations and a Top 100 Women in Business by the San Francisco Business Times. She currently serves on the Grant Selection Committee for Impact 100, whose mission is to unite women to make a difference in our communities. Linda also serves on TriNet’s Corporate Philanthropic Committee.

Jodi Warren Esq.

Partner, Capell Barnett Matalon & Schoenfeld

Jodi Warren’s practice primarily includes Real Estate, Corporate and Commercial Transactions, and Religious and Charitable Organizations. Jodi represents and advises clients in all aspects of the development, construction, finance, acquisition, and divestiture of assets. She routinely represents religious and not-for-profit corporations on complex real estate transactions including long-term leases, purchase and sales of properties, joint ventures and development projects. She serves as counsel to numerous denominational governing bodies as well as individual congregations and nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining the firm, Jodi worked as an attorney at a leading international law firm, where she represented and counseled publicly held corporations, partnerships and private equity clients on complex real estate transactions (including financing, construction, and leasing), commercial lending and project finance. She earned her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude and order of the coif, from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where she was an associate editor of the Cardozo Law Review. Jodi received her B.A. from Pennsylvania State University where she graduated with highest distinctions. She is regularly recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and is a member of the New York State Bar Association and is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey.

Ron Innocent

Director of Project Management, Denham Wolf

Ron has been a key member of Denham Wolf’s project management team since 2007. Drawing upon his extensive background in facilities planning, design and construction, Ron brings a sophisticated understanding of all aspects of the project management process to the firm and its clients. As Director of Project Management, Ron leads the Project Management team’s key initiatives, pilots new business development efforts, and provides guidance to the firm’s Project Managers. His leadership and commitment to seamless delivery of quality services allow him to advance the team’s expertise in implementing major construction projects. Ron’s expertise and commitment to community-driven projects are exemplified by his work with Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI). On behalf of CCCADI, he successfully implemented the acquisition and redevelopment of a former city firehouse into an interdisciplinary cultural center. The expansion involved managing the acquisition of City-owned property, gaining public approvals for the redevelopment plan, funding from public and private sources, and achieving LEED Gold certification. Located in East Harlem on 125th Street, the firehouse is both a City and National landmark. Ron implemented the same level of management excellence for Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, where the organization opened the Diane L. Max Health Center. This new 14,000 square foot community healthcare center in Long Island City is PPGNY’s first facility in Queens and will be utilized as a prototype for PPGNY’s other health centers around the five boroughs. Ron’s project portfolio also includes the Brownsville Multiservice Family Health Center, and the Chinese American Planning Council. Prior to joining Denham Wolf, Ron served as Project Manager for Partners Healthcare at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital (BWH) in Boston, Massachusetts. Ron is an active board member of Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy.

Richard Mirliss

Managing Member & Consulting Practice Leader, CohnReznick Real Estate LLC

Rich Mirliss is a Principal and Consulting Practice Leader of both CohnReznick Real Estate LLC and operations consulting group Consilium Partners. He brings over 20 years of operations planning, real estate, portfolio management, and banking experience to Consilium. Rich helped re-launch both CohnReznick Real Estate LLC and Consilium Partners in 2018 with the intention of better integrating the areas of finance, taxation, technology, operations, and real estate consulting to enhance decision-making processes and provide greater optionality for clients. He has helped build CohnReznick Real Estate and Consilium Partners into national consultancies serving the real estate and operational needs of clients within various industries. Rich has been responsible for the portfolio management, operations, and strategic planning for some of the world’s leading corporations. His extensive analytical background in both real estate and financial services has enabled him to develop a robust process and perspective in advising clients and creating strategic operational solutions. Prior to joining Consilium Partners, Rich ran multi-faceted international advisory teams at both Colliers International and Newmark Knight Frank. Before that, he was a Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Citigroup, where he was responsible for the sourcing and structuring of synergistic new business opportunities and vetting partnership options for the Consumer Bank.

Stephen Powers

Co-Founder, OPEN Impact Real Estate

Stephen is an experienced real estate professional who has spent the past 15 years of his career exclusively working on behalf on nonprofit organizations, providing consulting and transaction services to leading institutions in New York City and across the country. He has successfully completed more than 8 million square feet of transactions for nonprofits, always with a keen eye towards ensuring that the organization’s real estate strategy is in complete support of its critical mission. Stephen has particular expertise in securing off-market real estate solutions for the Social Service and Education nonprofit sectors requiring ground-up construction and adaptive reuse. Additionally, he is an expert at implementing holistic dispositions and acquisitions processes. Prior to founding OPEN, Stephen was a partner in Transwestern’s New York office and the national leader of the firm’s Nonprofit Advisory Group, which gained national recognition for helping nonprofits of all sizes minimize occupancy costs and capitalize on the tremendous savings uniquely available to tax-exempt organizations. He also served on Transwestern’s board of directors. Previously, he was a senior manager for Denham Wolf Real Estate Services. Stephen is a frequent public speaker at thought leadership conferences for the nonprofit sector, including the Rooftops Conference, Teach For America, Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York and Lawyers Alliance for New York. In 2020, he was honored by Crain’s New York Business with inclusion on its “Notable in Real Estate” list. Stephen earned his bachelor’s degree from Washington University’s Olin School of Business and his master’s degree in Real Estate Development from New York University’s Schack Institute of Real Estate.

Mark Rubinstein

President/Investment Advisor Representative, Incline Pension Consulting

Mark Rubinstein has worked in the financial services industry for more than thirty years, dedicating much of his work to the not-for-profit industry. He is a past winner of MetLIfe’s prestigious Financial Services Representative of the Year award, and in 2011, he was inducted into the MetLife Resources Hall of Fame. MetLife has also awarded him with several high-level recognitions, including two Leaders Conference, ten Platinum Club, and ten Chairman’s Council qualifications. In July 2016, he was a part of the sale of all MetLIfe FSR’s to Mass Mutual. In July of 2017 he left Mass Mutual and joined Global Retirement Partners doing business as Incline Pension Consulting . Mark is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF). He has also earned the Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF) designation from the American College and is a Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT).

Alexander K. Buchholz

Partner, PKF O’Connor Davies

Alexander Buchholz is a Partner at PKF O’Connor Davies with over 15 years experience in public accounting, including with a “Big Four” accounting firm. Alex is responsible for the development of the audit approach, supervision of staff, and the establishment and maintenance of the engagement budget. Additionally, he is responsible for the coordination of staff and management so that the audit is performed on a timely basis with as little intrusion to client operations as possible. His expertise is in Single Audits, internal control/compliance audits and specialized cost reporting. His industry experience is in healthcare and not-for- profit entities, including skilled nursing facilities, social service agencies, charter schools, diagnostic and treatment centers, home care service entities, adult homes and other long-term care facilities, special needs entities, and cemeteries. Alex is also an adjunct professor at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York in the Department of Accounting where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in accounting and auditing. He also teaches at the School of Professional Studies of the City University of New York for the Online Business Management Department, Mercy College and Lehman College. He conducts internal training seminars for the Firm and frequently speaks at outside organizations and associations. He is also a former member of the Firm’s continuing professional education (CPE) committee, with special emphasis on Single Audit training. Alex has written many articles on accounting and auditing topics for a variety of professional publications.

Lissa Mariel Southerland

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Rising Ground

Lissa Mariel Southerland leads the organization’s global network operations, with responsibility for operations, strategic planning, and visionary leadership as Rising Ground’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (www.risingground.org). In her previous role with Union Settlement, Lissa held the position of Chief Operating Officer with oversight of the organization’s full operations. She also has held roles at Community Healthcare Network, she served as Senior Regional Director of Operations. Southerland was responsible for the company's operations in their Manhattan health centers, as well as network-wide programs such development and expansion efforts into high-growth, emerging markets, and global expansion of programs such as the highly successful Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program, Geriatric RN, and Veterans programs. Before joining Community Healthcare Network in 2009, Southerland served as Director, Patient Administrative Services for Callen Lorde Health Center, one of the country’s premiere Federally Qualified Health Centers, where she was instrumental in growing one of their agency most integral departments, Patient Administrative Services which included oversight of their day-to-day patient operations, provider development, and call center network for the organization. While at Callen Lorde, Southerland led the company’s Patient Administrative Services division and prior to that served as Corporate Director, Marketing & Public Relations at Six Flags, Inc where she led communications efforts for all 21 parks domestically and internationally for the popular theme park organization. She also held senior positions as Publicity Director at Penguin Group, Inc. in the publishing sector. Lissa was previously chosen as 2016’s New York Non-Profit Media’s Top 40 under 40 Non-Profit Leader to Watch and currently sits on the Advisory Board for Citi-Bike/Lyft. Lissa is a womenprenuer and owns a mommy brand called Chief Mommy Officer, and a popular online store for families, which encourages moms to live their best lives with balance, while still accomplishing all of their goals. Southerland holds a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Georgia State University.

Rick Goerg

Vice President & CFO, The Children’s Village

Rick Goerg oversees Finance, Accounting, and Operations. Rick has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He has worked for several large for-profit corporations including Merck Drugs and CSX Railroad before moving into the nonprofit world. Outside of work, he is very active working with kids, including umpiring softball.

Mac Lillard,

CPA, CFE, CISA, CRISC, CITP, Risk & Advisory Services, Manager, GRF CPAs & Advisors

Mac Lillard, CPA, CFE, CISA, CRISC, CITP is a Risk & Advisory Services Manager with GRF CPAs & Advisors. He performs a variety of client services, helping organizations to streamline processes and increase efficiency, improve internal controls, implement enterprise risk management to assist in the risk assessment and strategic planning processes, and enhance their cybersecurity posture. Additionally, he sits on committees for multiple nonprofit organizations in order to volunteer his time and expertise to help local charities improve their operations. He has been with the firm since graduating from Clemson University in 2014. Mr. Lillard ensures that his engagements are completed in a timely and efficient manner. He holds various designations through professional organizations that allow him to provide his clients with added value and a holistic experience on all his engagements. Mac Lillard continues his education by speaking at and attending professional seminars related to auditing (internal and external), enterprise risk management, fraud examinations, and information systems control and security. He is also the Associate Vice President of Programs for the Washington, DC Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Lisa Stein

Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, StoryCorps

Lisa Stein joined StoryCorps in September 2019. In her role, she oversees the Finance, Human Resources, Legal, and Office Operations departments as well as the Corporate Sponsorship/Custom Service (fee for service) departments. She has over 20 years’ experience in various local and national organizations that share a common mission to empower people disenfranchised due to poverty, race, disability, or other barriers, and assist them to achieve greater self-sufficiency. Prior to StoryCorps, Lisa has held various programmatic, financial and operational leadership roles at organizations such as LISC, STRIVE, and Seedco. She is a graduate of Brandeis University and earned her M.B.A. with a certificate in nonprofit and public management at Boston University.

Hanna Rubin

Director of Registration and Fundraising Section, New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau

Hanna Rubin is the Director of the Registration and Fundraising Section of the Attorney General’s Charities Bureau. The Section receives and reviews more than 50,000 required financial filings annually from charities operating in New York State. Rubin has created a customer service program to facilitate communication with the non-profit sector and with the public, an online registration program for charities and has launched an online annual filing program for charities’ financial filings. Online annual filing for charities will be required in September 2022. Rubin is a 2013 graduate of New York Law School. In 2014, she was hired by the New York City Comptroller’s Audit Bureau, and served for two years as Special Assistant to the Deputy Comptroller for Audit and Attorney to the Audit Bureau, which generates more than 60 audits of city agencies a year. She moved to the NYS Attorney General’s Charities Bureau in 2016. Prior to earning her JD, Rubin was Deputy Editorial Director of DanceMedia, an arts-related media company, and had a career in publishing.

Robyn Dietz

Head of Talent Management & Human Resources, CHILDREN’S AID

Robyn oversees human resources and talent management at Children’s Aid, ensuring organizational values are embedded in agency-wide practices; fostering inclusivity and equity; and encouraging employees to reach their full potential. Robyn has more than 30 years of human resources experience in both the private and nonprofit sector. Before joining Children’s Aid, Robyn most recently served as senior director at SunGard, and has held senior leadership roles at Sherman & Sterling LLP, MetLife, and Citibank. Robyn holds a Certificate in Organization Development from the William Alanson White Institute and earned a Master of Social Work from New York University and a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College.

Meghan Lynch

Director of U.S. Vision Programs, Helen Keller International

In her 15+ year career, Meghan has worked effectively across the public and nonprofit sectors to improve access to services and care for our most vulnerable., collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders to deliver impactful and practical results. As Director of U.S. Vision Programs at Helen Keller International, Meghan oversees strategies to address needs, bridge gaps, and create access to vision care for low-income students and other vulnerable populations in the United States. She directs the management, operations, and business development of the organization's work in CA, MN, NJ, NY, & TX, cultivating relationships with strategic partners to build community, raise funds, and improve care. Meghan joined Helen Keller Intl in 2015 after more than ten years in the public sector, where service-centered leadership drove her success in protecting and expanding those health and human service programs crucial to underserved communities. Additionally, Meghan has eight years of experience as an Adjunct Professor, having taught an array of public health and management courses. She holds a BA from Smith College and an MPH from Tulane University.

Elsa Pereira

Managing Director, Operations, Grand Street Settlement

Elsa Pereira is a multidisciplinary real estate development professional with the entrepreneurial spirit of an urban planner and the results-oriented focus of a business strategist. She oversees the Capital Projects, Finance, IT, and Facilities Departments, and generally ensures the smooth business operations of the organization. While living in Abu Dhabi from 2013 to 2015, she led development strategy initiatives for international public and private clients interested in accessing the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region. For five years prior, she served as Director of Retail Development and Strategy for Williams Jackson Ewing (WJE), a premier retail development and leasing company that specializes in landmark urban projects where she spearheaded consulting efforts for all of the firm’s New York City assignments; most notably the firm’s headline property, Grand Central Terminal, and was part of a leasing team that assembled a collection of the industry’s most sought after luxury retailers and chefs. Before moving to New York, she worked on economic development plans and market studies for a leading environmental permitting firm and a boutique economic development consulting firm, and also spent time working abroad in Amsterdam and Prague. Elsa has a Master’s degrees in Urban Planning and Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. She is a dual citizen of the US and the EU, and speak fluent English, Dutch, and French.

Rita Kurniawan

Director of Housing and Real Estate, Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc.

Rita Kurniawan is an experienced Real Estate professional with over 14 years of experience in property operations, real estate financial management, and capital projects. She is currently the Director of Housing and Real Estate, responsible for overseeing Chinese-American Planning Council's affordable housing and real estate portfolio. Rita ensures effective strategic, operational, and fiscal management of wholly-owned subsidiaries and rental properties. Prior to joining Chinese-American Planning Council, she served as a managing agent to a portfolio of buildings in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.

Carlos Alegria, CPA

Senior Manager, BDO FMA

Carlos has more than 20 years of experience in finance, accounting, auditing, reporting, legal affairs, capacity development and strategic planning. His background spans not-for-profit and for-profit media & technology, social services, social justice, financial services, and real estate. In his work leading finance and operations, he brings commitment and an entrepreneurial drive to improving processes, guiding and mentoring professional staff, executive coaching and building cross-functional relationships. Carlos began his career at KPMG where he rose to Audit, and Consulting Manager followed by 12 years at CBS Broadcasting. As VP of Finance at CBS, his accomplishments included the turnaround of CBS Operations and Engineering from $16M deficit to $20M surplus, and firming up FP&A, financial modelling, and controls. Later, as Senior VP of Corporate Planning & Development for Sizmek (Digital Generation), Carlos analyzed and structured $14M in operations synergies and $60M in new acquisitions. Following Sizmek, he developed start-up businesses, and provided fiscal management and strategic planning for not-for-profits. Carlos joined BDO FMA to focus his advisory and fiscal management work on helping people and organizations transform and thrive, with emphasis in not-for-profit social services & social justice, and media & technology.

Pamela Mattel, LCSW

President/CEO, CBC/Coordinated Behavioral Care

Pamela Mattel, LCSW, is a highly qualified senior leader with 38 years of nonprofit experience, 15 years in executive positions advancing high quality whole healthcare integration and innovation in behavioral healthcare, primary healthcare and housing. Ms. Mattel’s leadership and management has consistently delivered on the promise of quality integrated care, multiplying reach and ensuring financial sustainability. Ms. Mattel is continually reimagining health care and social services by actively supporting collaboration, incorporating design approaches, leveraging key performance indicators for value based projects and measuring overall impact. She has consistently secured innovative models and programs for complex organizations inclusive of certified community behavioral health clinics, care transitions, technology enabled care and opioid collective impact responses. She has been an active participant in the New York State Medicaid Redesign including DSRIP, numerous health related board memberships and regional efforts. Ms. Mattel’s mission to inspire and empower change in pursuit of equitable whole person care has been her north star. She graduated from Columbia University with a Master’s Degree in Social Work and holds certificates in several post-graduate programs.

Alan Mitchell

Executive Director, HealthEfficient

Alan Mitchell is the Executive Director of HealthEfficient, a mission-driven, not-for-profit organization based in New York that provides services to community health centers and other healthcare providers nationwide. Alan has many years of experience in the non-profit and technology sectors, including more than 12 years in healthcare. As HealthEfficient’s Executive Director, Alan oversees all programs, partnerships, and operations. Since Alan joined HealthEfficient in 2016, the organization’s membership has doubled and its budget has tripled. HealthEfficient manages two major federally-funded healthcare projects, both funded by HRSA: first, a Health Center Controlled Network that supports health centers in improving clinical quality and population health through the use of Health Information Technology and data; and second, HealthEfficient’s Network for Oral Health Integration, a 5-year project to integrate oral health into primary care in 30 community health centers in 3 states and Washington, DC. Before joining HealthEfficient, Alan worked for eight years at Primary Care Development Corporation to enhance the performance of primary care practices, particularly in medically underserved areas. As a director on PCDC’s Performance Improvement Team, he led efforts to develop and spread innovative approaches to primary care and population health. Earlier in his career, Alan was a software consultant and high school teacher in New York City. He is a graduate of the College of William & Mary in Virginia and the Health Care Executive Program at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management.

Alexandros Hatzakis

Associate Executive Director (AED), FPWA

Alexandros Hatzakis is the Associate Executive Director (AED) at FPWA. As AED, he is responsible for building a strong team, fostering a dynamic organizational culture, and strengthening our programs, policy and advocacy work, and member and community engagement. He oversees and manages the development, implementation, administration, and evaluation of key operations areas, including daily operations, strategic planning, business advancement, human capital management and development, physical plant, and infrastructure. Prior to working at FPWA, Alexandros was the Director of Income at United Way of New York City where he oversaw and managed a $6 million portfolio of program and policy initiatives aimed at assisting families in meeting their basic needs, tackling household insecurity, and working towards economic stability. He formerly served as the Development and Information Systems Manager at The Financial Clinic, overseeing the implementation and integration of fundraising and operational and client data systems. He has also conducted research and policy analysis for the State of Delaware’s Division of Corporations. Alexandros received his Bachelor’s degree from Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Baruch, his Master of Public Administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and is a Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP). He serves as Chair and member of New York City’s Procurement Policy Board.

Randi Corey

Manager of Special Events and Partnership Development, 501(c) Services

Randi has been in the nonprofit arena for more than 30 years starting with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Northeastern NY Chapter. She joined the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and held the title of Executive Director, opening two chapters (Upstate NY and Eastern North Carolina.). As NC State Director for the March of Dimes she was responsible for 7 offices, 56 staff and a $6 million annual budget. Her most recent nonprofit position was with the Hydrocephalus Association as the National Director of Special Events, leading a volunteer driven fundraising program. She is currently the Manager of Special Events and Partnership Development with 501(c) Services – an organization helping nonprofits save time and money for 40 years.

Gary Bagley

Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and Baruch College of The City University of New York

Gary has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and a strong commitment to equity & inclusion, leadership development, civic engagement, and education. Gary contributed his vision and leadership to helping build New York Cares into one of the leading nonprofit organizations in the greater New York City area, serving hundreds of nonprofits and schools and contributing to the well-being of New York City communities. During his tenure, New York Cares more than tripled its service delivery – executing more than 20,000 projects and filling 150,000 volunteer positions annually. Gary transformed New York Cares from an organization that was volunteer-centered to one that is community-centered by embedding principals of equity and social justice in the work of the organization and in his approach to leadership. In the face of COVID-19, Gary led New York Cares in expanding its hunger programming fifteen-fold (delivering over 50 million meals since March 2020) and the launch of a phone banking system to make over 80,000 tech support calls to students in transitional housing as well as wellness checks to isolated seniors and veterans. After Hurricane Sandy, Gary oversaw the launch of programs serving homeowners, nonprofits, and schools in the impacted areas, and as a result, successfully filled 25,000 volunteer positions. Gary's leadership has been recognized by The New York Times Company Nonprofit Excellence Award for Overall Management Excellence, and the Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation. Gary was named a Notable in Nonprofits and Philanthropy by Crain’s New York and one of the CSR Responsible 100 by City & State (an award given to 100 individuals from diverse sectors who demonstrate outstanding social responsibility and community leadership). Before joining New York Cares, Gary taught curriculum-integrated arts programs to all ages of students and then held positions as Program Director of Young Audiences New York, where he designed and implemented 12,000 arts-in-education programs in 250 schools each year. He also contributed to TADA! as a teacher for 7 years and as Director of Education for 4 years. Gary co-authored the "Volunteer Engagement and Management" chapter in the latest edition of the textbook, Nonprofit Management 101. He is an appointee to the State Commission on National and Community Service and serves on the Board of Directors of the National Urban Fellows, an organization that develops people of color and women to be leaders and change agents in the public and nonprofit sectors, with a strong commitment to social justice and equity. He has also served on the Board of Directors of Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. Gary is an Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and Baruch College of The City University of New York. His teaching focuses on the strategic management of nonprofit organizations. He holds academic degrees from both Baruch College (M.P.A.) and Ithaca College.

Joshua Peskay

vCIO / Cybersecurity, RoundTable Technology

Joshua Peskay has spent nearly three decades helping nonprofit organizations make better use of technology in service of their missions. He is driven to help improve cybersecurity in the nonprofit sector and frequently works with at-risk organizations to address digital security challenges. He is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and regularly presents and teaches on topics such as nonprofit technology strategy, cybersecurity, project and change management. Also, he frequently collaborates with a potato.

Andy Widholm, SHRM-CP

Vice President of Sales, ExtensisHR

Andy Widholm, SHRM-CP, is an accomplished PEO executive with a proven track record of sales, leadership, and business development. In his current role as Vice President of Sales at ExtensisHR, he is responsible for leading a high-performing sales team, managing new and established broker relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and growing top line revenue. He has over two decades of experience, with a specific focus on HR solutions including PEO, HRO, ASO, retirement plan services, employee benefits, payroll, risk management, and Section 125 plans.

Brian Lynch

Regional Director, Mid-Atlantic, Pentegra

Brian likes helping others solve issues. Any good business is created to solve a problem for someone. He feels lucky to work in an industry where there is so much that can be done to help make the plans better and save a lot of headaches for clients. Brian has spent the last few years with Franklin Templeton Investments as a Strategic Account Manager. In this role, he worked with large recordkeeping and broker/dealer clients to bring fresh perspectives about how they could best help serve their plan clients better. Prior to that he was a Client Advisor with J.P Morgan, and Regional Sales Manager at Alliance Bernstein. Brian earned his BA Degree in Economics from University of Maryland. His professional licenses include FINRA Series 7, 63 & 24.

Lisa-Renée Brown

Chief Finance Officer/Director of Human Resources, Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter School

Lisa-Renée has over twenty-five years of professional experience in Fortune 500, mid-sized and start-up companies in a variety of operational and financial roles, and is currently the Chief Finance Officer and Director of Human Resources at a 700+ student, 115 employee, K-8 charter school in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. In this role she is responsible for oversight and all aspects of financial management of the nearly $20M school budget. She is an integral part of the three-person management team that focused on student and adult safety, mental health supports and no excuses education standards that lead the school back to a safe re-opening in September 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. Prior to securing this opportunity in education administration, Lisa-Renée was Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer with the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA). She was responsible for overall financial management, managing the team that produced both the annual All Star Weekend events, as well as an annual conference for the 300+ members of the organization. When the organization moved to Chicago, the former Executive Director of the NBRPA invited Ms. Brown to be the Chief Operating Officer of the newly formed Professional Basketball Alumni Association in New York. Ms. Brown also founded LRB PROfessional Services providing strategic and financial management services to start-up and mature businesses after a successful thirteen-year career as a Corporate Commercial Lender in New York City, Rhode Island and Boston. While advancing her professional career, Ms. Brown has been thrilled to use her business acumen to benefit a number of non-profit organizations. One of the early highlights included working with fellow Cornell Alum to found and run a Saturday School in New Jersey focused on multicultural education. The African American Cultural Enrichment Program provided culturally relevant curriculum to kids ranging in age from 6 to 16. Ms. Brown was also thrilled to be invited to participate in the Clinton Foundation’s Urban Enterprise Initiative as a team consultant. Working with a woman-owned architecture firm in Harlem, Ms. Brown helped to identify critical challenges and new opportunities; create solutions and help implement those solutions. She provided leadership in the areas of business operations, financial software evaluation/selection and succession planning as well as strategic input on marketing, client and industry research. She also developed the succession plan outline with the owner. In 2016, she became a Project and onsite Trip Leader for an organization that brings girls, age 13-16, to McCarthy, Alaska for a two-week wilderness adventure including glacier climbing, hiking and rafting. Although COVID forced cancellation of the 2020 trip, 2021 saw the fourth group of girls participate in this once in a lifetime experience. Ms. Brown helps to raise money, select the participants and accompanies the girls on the trip as part of the Brooklyn to Alaska Project. Ms. Brown published a groundbreaking-breaking policy manual series on “Succession Planning for Companies” between 2004 and 2008 in collaboration with Business and National Affairs (BNA), an international publishing company located in New Jersey. She also served as the Project Manager for several other research and benchmarking reports. Ms. Brown earned a Bachelor’s of Science (B.Sc) degree in Communications from Cornell University. Professional affiliations included the Cornell Black Alumni Association, President’s Council of Cornell Women and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Ms. Brown enjoys reading, traveling anywhere and yoga. She lives with her family in Northern New Jersey, where she also cares for her Mom.

Jennifer Krueger

Acting Director of IT, United Women in Faith

Jenn Krueger is an experienced social enterprise professional, working at the intersections of technology, project management, and strategic planning. She is currently the Project Manager at United Methodist Women here in New York city where she focuses on using systems such as project management tools, CRM's, and basic spreadsheets to drive strategic change at this 150+ year old organization. Previously she has worked with Change for Kids, IntroAmerica, and The New York Public Library. Jenn Krueger received an MBA in Marketing and Information Management from Columbia Business School, an M.S. in Library and Information Science from Simmons University, and a BA in Mathematics from Tufts University.

Richard Wang

Group Director - Vice President, Signature Bank

With more than twenty years of commercial banking experience, Richard Wang, Group Director and Vice President, possesses the expertise and creativity necessary to deliver solutions that meet the wide variety of challenges faced by privately-owned businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Richard takes a holistic approach to his relationships, beginning with gaining a comprehensive understanding of a client’s business in order to most effectively support their financial needs. Richard is known for providing exceptional service on a day-to-day basis, and is a true believer in Signature Bank’s client-first culture. Richard and his wife are expecting their first child to arrive this summer.

Jennifer Ratner

EsplanadeFriends

Agenda

8:00am

Registration & Breakfast

Emcee Gary Bagley, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and Baruch College of The City University of New York

8:35am

Streamlining Processes, Operations, Finances & Investments through Strategy

Successful organizations use many different tracks of strategy in developing their mission, from organizational to programmatic. Key to this process is developing a focused, purposeful strategy that incorporates systems, resource allocation, data management, finances, and more. This panel will explain how efficient operations and processes can enhance your nonprofit’s administrative efficiency, streamline monetary functions, and create operational stability so you can focus more of your energy on your mission.

Adam M. Doyno, Director of Development, CUNY School of Public Health (moderator)

Lisa Stein, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, STORYCORPS

Ryan S. Young, Chief Operating and Financial Officer, Community Change

Eleanor "Ellie" Hume, Director, Your Part-Time Controller, LLC

Roberta Katz, Nonprofit Finance Consultant, Roberta Katz Consulting

Carlos Alegria, Senior Manager, BDO FMA

9:20am

Hiring the Best Staff in the New Marketplace: What Works and What Doesn’t

Due to an unprecedented pandemic and a tumultuous economy, now, more than ever, nonprofit leaders must focus on the people of their organization and ensure they are hiring effective employees who can navigate the choppy waters of today. So, what are nonprofits dealing with, and what are potential solutions to the recruiting and retaining difficulties?

Linda Santinoceto, Executive Director for the Nonprofit Sector, TriNet (moderator)

Robyn Dietz, Head of Talent Management & Human Resources, CHILDREN’S AID

Yolanda Robano-Gross, Chief Executive Officer, Options for Community Living, Inc.

Lissa Mariel Southerland, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Rising Ground

Andy Widholm, SHRM-CP, Vice President of Sales, Extensis HR

10:05am

Refreshment Break

10:20am

Innovation and Technology to Take your Operations to the Next Level

For nonprofits, there is no going back to “normal.” And in many ways, that’s for the better. For many nonprofits pre-pandemic, technology was an afterthought that was too often considered a necessity rather than a benefit. Seemingly overnight, organizations that once saw the digital transformation as a long-term project were implementing, developing, and spending on technology that could keep them connected to their supporters and keep their missions going. The panel will address digital innovation for operations, finance and cyber security, use of apps and mobile growth, future of virtual event production and more.

Alan Mitchell, Executive Director, HealthEfficient (moderator)

Elsa Pereira, Managing Director of Operations, Grand Street Settlement

Greg Cornell, Founder & Producer, ArchiteX Inc.

Michelle Yanche, Executive Director, Good Shepherd Services

Daniel Riff, Senior Manager of Government & Nonprofit, DoorDash

11:05am

Special Presentation: Fiduciary Liability for Not-For-Profit Organizations

A retirement savings plan is a “must-have” benefit for nonprofits to attract top talent. But creating and developing a plan can be confusing, especially if you don’t have a specialized finance background. Also, executive leaders have a fiduciary responsibility to manage the plan responsibly or else they could be held personally liable.

Mark Rubinstein, President/Investment Advisor Representative, Incline Pension Consulting

Brian Lynch, Regional Director, Pentegra

11:40am

Future of Work Navigating Real Estate as a Not-for-Profit

From tragedy and challenge come new ideas, new innovation, and new life. As we consider ways that Covid-19 has disrupted office leasing markets and the workplace experience in 2020 and 2021, exciting opportunities await us in 2022 and beyond. This panel aims to help not-for-profits navigate their real estate decisions and offer insight into ways to save time and money and create the perfect environment for your organization.

Keith Little, President & CEO, SCO Family of Services (moderator)

Rita Kurniawan, Director of Housing and Real Estate, Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc.

Ron Innocent, Director of Project Management, Denham Wolf

Richard Mirliss, Managing Member and Practice Leader, Consilium Partners, CohnReznick Real Estate

Jodi Warren Esq., Partner, Capell, Barnett, Matalon & Schoenfeld

Stephen Powers, Co-Founder, OPEN Impact Real Estate

12:40pm

Luncheon

1:35pm

What Nonprofits Need to Know About Nonprofit Accounting and Finance

Maintaining the financial health of any nonprofit is a challenge before you factor in the specific aspects of your organization. Keeping up with regulatory changes, managing all sources of funding, tracking organizational costs, and more is demanding, whether nonprofits are handling the single audit or multiple city/state/federal mandates. Our panelists will highlight strategies and resources to help you increase your financial fluency and create systems for efficient financial management.

Lew Zuchman, Executive Director, SCAN-Harbor, Inc. (moderator)

Lisa-Rene Brown, Chief Finance Officer/Director of Human Resources, Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter School

Rick Goerg, Vice President & CFO, The Children’s Village

John Eusanio, Partner & Not-for-Profit Practice Leader, Citrin Cooperman

Alexander Buchholz, Partner, PKF O'Connor Davies, LLP

2:20pm

Strengthening Security for Nonprofits

In October 2021, Governor Hochul announced more than $33 million in funding allowing nonprofits to strengthen the security of their facilities, as well as enhance their overall preparedness. No organization can ever be 100 percent secure, but nonprofits that create a strong security culture—one that actively promotes security awareness and a shared sense of mission around security—are much more likely to avoid many of the most common threats. This panel will address the need to support nonprofits with trauma-informed capacity building to better meet the needs of communities

Alexandros Hatzakis, Associate Executive Director, FPWA (moderator)

Meghan Lynch, Director, US Vision Programs, Helen Keller International

Joshua Peskay, vCIO/Cybersecurity, Roundtable Technology

Richard Wang, Group Director, Vice President, Signature Bank

Jennifer Krueger, Acting Director of IT, United Women in Faith

3:05pm

Refreshment Break

3:20pm

Optimizing and Developing a Sustainable Board of Directors

The pandemic has transformed many activities in the nonprofit sector. Event plans have been reimagined, fundraising strategies have changed direction, and boards have navigated through many risks and challenges. Creating an optimal board of directors and offering effective board management allows for nonprofits to make a bigger impact. Providing your board with key resources can increase your fundraising efforts, strategic planning, and other mission-based work — especially during a crisis.

Claas Ehlers, CEO, Family Promise (moderator)

Arva Rice, President & CEO, New York Urban League

Randi Corey, Manager of Special Events and Partnership Development, 501(c) Services

Surjit Chana, Chairman of the Board, Care for the Homeless

Jennifer Ratner, EsplanadeFriends

4:05pm

Nonprofit Efficiency: Managing Risk, Overhead and Failure

Risk management is a tool that helps nonprofits deal with uncertainty. Leaders of nonprofits must identify and manage risks that threaten their missions and operations, while empowering them to leverage opportunities like the implementation of mandatory electronic filing, and take bold, mission-advancing risks. They must be looking at their overhead expenses as that can be a consideration for donor contribution. It’s also important to consider the importance of customer and vendor relationships and how to balance cost with these valued relationships. Overall the goal to run an efficient nonprofit can be faced with many challenges.

Amy West, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, AHRC New York City (moderator)

Hanna Rubin, Director of Registration, New York State Attorney General's Charities Bureau

Sharon Cody, Nonprofit Market Manager, Labyrinth, Inc and Harbor Compliance

Pamela Mattel, LCSW, President & CEO, Coordinated Behavioral Care

Mac Lillard, CPA, CFE, CISA, CRISC, CITP, Manager, Audit and Risk Advisory Services GRF CPAs & Advisors

4:50pm

Sessions Conclude