Sierrah Chavis | Bossy Girl, Inc. | Building Resilient Nonprofit Programs 

Sierrah Chavis is a dynamic educator and nonprofit leader with over a decade of experience empowering underserved communities and advocating for youth. With a Master of Education in Special Education and an Educational Specialist in School Leadership and Administration from Old Dominion University, she has dedicated her career to championing causes like disability rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and supporting survivors of domestic violence. A two-time best-selling author, Sierrah has written books including No Shame in My Pain and From Pain to Power, along with a children's book, Dance of Colors, Caribbean Rhythms, and Family Traditions. As the founder of Bossy Girl Inc., she leads efforts to empower women and future female leaders. Sierra has received multiple awards, including the Diversity Champion Award and the Impact Leadership Award, and enjoys culinary arts, volunteering, and spending time with her family.

Molly Hilligoss | Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County | Advocacy Strategies to Inspire Action 

Molly Hilligoss has led Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County since 2015, becoming President & CEO in 2024. Under her leadership, Habitat has served 91 first-time homebuyers and 127 older adults with critical home repairs. She expanded capacity by partnering with Salisbury University, TidalHealth, AmeriCorps, and more. Leveraging her marketing expertise, Molly increased ReStore sales to over $640,000 annually, fueling Habitat's construction programs. She managed a $6.1M rental assistance grant during COVID-19 and led a successful $1.8M capital campaign to fund new offices and a second ReStore. A Penn State grad with an MBA from UMGC, Molly was appointed by Governor Hogan to the Governor’s Office of Service & Volunteerism and served as Board Secretary in 2022-23. A dedicated Rotarian, she was President of Wicomico Rotary and now serves as Area 60 Governor. Molly enjoys baking, painting, and relaxing with her husband, Tony, their 4 children, 2 grandchildren, and Goldendoodles Cleo and Caesar.

Dani Faulkner | Spark Point Fundraising | Community-Centric Fundraising

Dani Faulkner brings nearly 15 years of experience in fundraising strategy, grant writing, and nonprofit leadership. Starting as a playwright, she honed her storytelling skills, which seamlessly transitioned into grant writing, helping organizations align their impact with funder priorities. Dani has held every role in development, from grant writer to Chief Development Officer, and now consults with Spark Point Fundraising, assisting nonprofits in building strategic funder relationships and advancing equity-driven initiatives. She has secured large grants from major foundations and corporate partners, excelling in persuasive funding proposals. Dani holds degrees from Goucher College and Georgetown University and serves on three nonprofit boards. Outside of work, she enjoys being a co-parent to twins and exploring her passions for culinary arts, whiskey, and travel.

Fawn Fitzgerald | The Sinepuxent Group | Using AI for Smarter Impact

Fawn Fitzgerald Mete is the managing partner of The Sinepuxent Group, a leading software engineering firm, and the creative director of its Sinewave Interactive division, which provides fractional technology and digital communications leadership to regional nonprofits and businesses. With extensive experience in program and project management across the education, nonprofit, and tech sectors, Fawn brings a unique and comprehensive perspective to her work. As a former nonprofit founder and director, she deeply understands the challenges of achieving ambitious missions with limited budgets and small teams. Throughout her career, Fawn has been a trailblazer in adopting cutting-edge technologies, consistently finding innovative ways to maximize impact and efficiency. Her expertise helps organizations stretch resources further, empowering them to grow and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Kevin Hughes | Chesapeake Learning & Development | Giving & Receiving Constructive Feedback

Kevin Hughes is the founder of Chesapeake Learning & Development, established in 2023, and brings over 20 years of experience in learning and development across various industries. He excels in partnering with leadership to ensure employees at all levels receive the training they need to advance professionally. Kevin holds certifications in DISC, Situational Leadership Experience, Self-Leadership, and Targeted Selection (Behavioral Interviewing), and is also a Harrison Assessments coach. He has developed and facilitated programs on communication, feedback, personal branding, customer service, and more. Kevin earned a B.S. in Mass Communications, with a minor in Music Performance, from Towson University. He resides on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with his wife Colleen and their two children, Andrew and Abby.

Ashlee Laughlin | Célébrez la Femme, Inc | Grow Your Tribe Online

Ashlee Laughlin is a special projects producer and social entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in project management and marketing. She has collaborated with Fortune 500 companies like Tesla and Meta and served as Special Projects Coordinator for Black Entertainment Television, where she oversaw award show logistics and digital campaigns. Ashlee has also partnered with niche platforms such as Be Blogalicious and Brown Mamas, fostering inclusive spaces that amplify women’s voices. As the founder of Célébrez la Femme, Inc., a local nonprofit women’s empowerment network, she remains dedicated to uplifting and connecting women from all walks of life. With a Communications degree from Salisbury University, an MBA from Strayer University, and advanced studies in Digital & Social Media from New England College, Ashlee’s entertainment background drives her ability to craft impactful narratives and inspire community engagement through innovative strategies.

Bess Langbein | Due East Partners | The Modern Board

Bess Langbein has led organizations in the social and environmental impact sectors for over 20 years, specializing in strategic planning, capacity building, and fundraising. She coaches organizations on adaptive leadership, helping them navigate change while achieving their mission. A founding partner of Due East, Bess previously served as Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County, transforming it into a community leader and raising over $17M in assets and program funding. Her consulting experience includes leading a $4.8M capital campaign for the Annapolis Boys and Girls Club and advising nonprofits, foundations, and political campaigns across multiple states. Bess is passionate about empowering others, helping leaders and teams build the capacity, courage, and confidence to foster growth and sustainability while achieving meaningful impact.

Rick Leibowitz| Tower CFO | Strategic Budgeting

Rick Leibowitz brings extensive experience as a business owner, counselor, and CFO/COO for private, government, and nonprofit organizations. With over 13 years of expertise in business planning, financial forecasting, and loan packaging, Rick has helped numerous organizations improve operations and develop strategic plans. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and an MBA from Western Governors University. Having held executive roles in organizations with operating budgets exceeding $100M, Rick is skilled in navigating complex financial landscapes. Currently, as a partner at Tower CFO, he provides strategic financial planning services to organizations across Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, helping them achieve sustainable growth and operational excellence.

Dr. Lili Leonard | Black Dog Philanthropic Consulting | Keynote Speaker | Session: The Great Wealth Transfer

Dr. Lili Leonard is a career fundraising professional with more than 15 years of experience in annual and mid-level giving, major gifts, event planning and management, grant writing, and fundraising strategic planning. She has worked in higher education, large national nonprofits, small- and mid-sized local nonprofits, and global membership associations. Committed to the field of philanthropy, Lili earned her Certified Fund Raising Executive designation in 2017. She is also a Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant. A lifelong Marylander, Lili earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Salisbury University and her Doctorate from Frostburg State. Lili is Immediate Past President of the SU Alumni Association BOD, and member of the Sugarloaf Citizens Association BOD. She lives in MD with her wife, Alexis, and is a proud volunteer at Great & Small, a non-profit therapeutic riding center in Boyds, Maryland.

Lauren Maddox | Due East Partners | Collective Impact: What and How? 

Lauren Maddox is a founding partner and lead strategist for Due East Partners LLC, building on over 20 years as an independent consultant. She has led more than 100 strategic planning processes for public, private, and nonprofit organizations, with a focus on transformational planning and change management. Lauren equips leaders with tools to adapt to shifting conditions and seize new opportunities, engaging diverse stakeholders to bring visionary plans to life. As a senior consultant for the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, she collaborated with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 160+ funders, and 350+ communities to improve early literacy for children from low-income families. Previously, Lauren honed her skills designing organizational change strategies for Fortune 500 companies at Hewitt Associates, bringing a depth of expertise to her work that drives meaningful, lasting impact.

Hunter Mann | Mann & Mann Grant Solutions | Grant Seeking, Grant Writing, and You! 

​Hunter Mann has been working with his mother, Valerie Mann, in the family grant-writing business since 2009, with a focus on nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region. He has provided grant-writing and funding strategy services to a diverse range of clients, including historical organizations, healthcare groups, religious institutions, disaster response teams, and more. With years of experience, Hunter has developed a deep understanding of the unique needs of nonprofits, helping them secure essential funding for their missions. His expertise, combined with the legacy of success built by his mother, allows him to support nonprofits in navigating the complex world of grants and funding opportunities.

Valerie Mann | Mann & Mann Grant Solutions | Grant Seeking, Grant Writing, and You!

Valerie Mann brings over 40 years of experience in the grant field, including over 30 years running her own business. She has written approximately 800 grant applications, securing nearly $150 million in funding for municipalities, counties, nonprofits, and other clients. Specializing in federal and state grants, her successes span law enforcement, fire protection, historical preservation, economic development, infrastructure, and nonprofit initiatives. Valerie authored the book Getting Your Share of the Pie: The Complete Guide to Finding Grants and teaches grant writing nationwide through workshops, webinars, and online classes. Her expertise has been featured by organizations like the Grant Professionals Association and GrantStation, and she has contributed articles to Non-Profit World Magazine. Known for developing funding strategies and administering grants, Valerie is passionate about empowering organizations to achieve their missions through effective grant acquisition.

Jenni Pastusak | D3 Corp| Maximize Your Cause with Digital Marketing

Jenni Pastusak brings over two decades of experience in journalism, public relations, and marketing. After earning her degree from Bloomsburg University, she began her career as a production assistant at Fox News Channel in New York, working on the high-energy Fox & Friends team. Relocating to the Eastern Shore for family, Jenni advanced from assignment editor to morning show anchor at WBOC-TV. Transitioning to public relations in 2006, she joined a.s.a.p.r. Public Relations & Marketing, managing campaigns for clients like Peninsula Home Care, Perdue, and DuPont. In 2009, Jenni launched her firm, SURE Public Relations & Marketing, serving local brands such as Gillis Gilkerson and Sharp Energy. When D3Corp acquired SURE PR in 2018, she became their Director of Public Relations, leading a team of 40 to serve over 200 clients. A Salisbury resident, Jenni is a proud mom of two college-aged sons, an avid runner, and a CrossFit coach at SBYFIT.

Dr. Michele Schlehofer | Salisbury University | Ethical Decision Making

Dr. Michele Schlehofer holds a PhD in Applied Social Psychology from Claremont Graduate University and is a Professor of Psychology at Salisbury University. With extensive experience partnering with nonprofits and advocacy groups, she has led numerous capacity-building projects to strengthen organizations. From 2015 to 2020, she founded and organized Salisbury's PFLAG Chapter and currently co-directs the REACH initiative, fostering community discussions on ethics and decision-making. Dr. Schlehofer has earned prestigious awards, including the USM Board of Regents Faculty Award in Public Service, SU Distinguished Faculty Award, and a USM Elkins Professorship. She serves on the Boards of the Wicomico County Public Library, Citizens for Maryland Libraries, and GLSEN Maryland. Recognized as a Fellow in Divisions 9 and 44 of the APA, a designation for psychologists with impactful national or international contributions, she is a dedicated leader in advancing both scholarship and community engagement.

Amy Thompson | Greater OCMD Chamber of Commerce | How to Avoid Burnout: Just Keep Swimming

Amy Thompson, Executive Director of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, brings decades of diverse experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors to her dynamic coaching, training, and public speaking. Her expertise spans mindset development, soft skills enhancement, strategic planning, and discovering purpose, which she delivers with a unique blend of insight and humor. Amy’s lighthearted yet impactful approach encourages audiences to prioritize self-care, reminding them of the importance of “filling our own cups” to continue pouring into others effectively. Known for transforming serious concepts into accessible, interactive, and entertaining sessions, Amy creates thought-provoking experiences that leave participants inspired, equipped, and ready to tackle challenges with renewed energy and focus. Her presentations combine practical tools with an engaging style, ensuring a lasting impact on all who attend.

Phil Whitelock & Rebecca Redmer | Street Smart Survival Academy | Communication Essentials for De-escalation 

Phil Whitelock has been training professionals in violence prevention, violence response and defense tactics since 2007. Phil is a certified instructor for Street Smart Survival Academy and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Phil’s passion for teaching how to prevent violence led him to author his book Violence: Can you prevent it? in 2024. Rebecca Redmer has built her career around her passion for youth, community and mental health. A Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and family advocate, she works with youth and families in crisis. She enjoys teaching Mental Health First Aid for young people, teens and adults. Rebecca has been honored to receive the Hometown Hero award for Youth Mentorship and the Caliber Award of Excellence for Youth Advocacy.