speakers
mainstage speakers
Bill McKendry
Founder and CEO, BrandHaven
Presentation Topic – Do More Good With Less
Bill McKendry is Founder + Chief Creative Officer of BrandHaven. He and his team, which includes a large network of world-class resources, have created and implemented marketing and branding efforts for a diverse mix of nonprofit and corporate clients. The organizations he’s led major initiatives for are He Gets Us, Salvation Army and World Vision as well as American Express, Target Stores and Taco Bell. Bill is a frequent speaker and thought-leader on the topic of branding/marketing for nonprofits and is the author of the bestselling book DO MORE GOOD | Moving nonprofits from good to growth.
Kiersten Hill
Director of Nonprofit Solutions, Firespring
Presentation Topic – Unleash the Power of Storytelling: Turning Your Mission into a Movement
Meet Kiersten Hill, the driving force behind Firespring’s nonprofit solutions and an inspiration to organizations nationwide. With nearly two decades of dedicated service in nonprofit management and fundraising, Kiersten has raised over $20 million to strengthen Nebraska’s nonprofit sector.
A dynamic thought leader and speaker, Kiersten captivates audiences with her expertise on marketing, fundraising, board development and organizational transformation. In the past year alone, she has led or presented at nearly 100 webinars and nonprofit conferences—her insights sparking inspiration and change. As a certified StoryBrand Guide, Kiersten has unlocked the power of storytelling, guiding nonprofits to craft compelling narratives that resonate deeply with their audiences.
Bethany Hardwig
Vice President of Alumni and Donor Connections, NDSU Foundation
Presentation Topic – Innovation through Invitation
Bethany Hardwig is a higher education leader with over seven years of experience in alumni and donor relations, student engagement, and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Her mission is to improve the experiences and outcomes of students and alumni, and to advance the institutions she serves with impactful, student-centered programs and events. Currently, she is the Vice President of Alumni and Donor Connections at the NDSU Foundation, where she oversees the development and implementation of strategic initiatives to foster engagement, loyalty, and philanthropy among the NDSU community.
Gabe Cooper
Founder and CEO, Virtuous
Presentation Topic – 8 Practices that Drive Nonprofit Innovation and Impact
Gabe Cooper is the Founder and CEO of Virtuous, a Responsive Nonprofit CRM & Marketing Platform helping nonprofits build lasting relationships with their donors. He is also the author of the top-selling book Responsive Fundraising and The Responsive Nonprofit: 8 Practices that Drive Nonprofit Innovation. After serving in a leadership role at a large nonprofit, Gabe went on to help build a series of successful software products in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. His team’s products have been featured in Wired, USA Today, NY Times, and Apple’s WWDC. His drive stems from a passion to create market-defining software and help charities reimagine generosity.
Michael Thornhill
Director of Diversity Equity & Inclusion and Accessibility Coordinator, Venture Outdoors
Presentation Topic – Creating a Culture Where Everyone Thrives
Michael Thornhill is a diversity consultant with extensive experience in building vibrant workforce ecosystems & neurodivergent cultures by embedding equity and inclusionary practices. His experience, ranging from religious to academic institutions, brings a catalytic, data-centered and trauma-informed lens to building communities of practice for equitable solutions. His work identifies gaps and creates shared solutions leading to measurable results related to management, leadership pipeline development, employee engagement, staff care, and cultural competence.
Nathan Hill
Vice President, NextAfter
Presentation Topic – Donor Retention: A Data-Driven Approach to Improving Your Most
Critical Metric
Nathan Hill is the marketing director for NextAfter – a fundraising consultancy, research lab, and institute on a mission to unleash generosity. Having worked at both large and small nonprofits, he understands the day to day challenges of running nonprofit programs while also trying to manage fundraising, marketing, websites, emails, advertising, and more. Nathan has trained hundreds of nonprofit marketers and fundraisers in proven online fundraising strategies including PBS, Save the Children, The Humane Society, and more.
workshop speakers
Tina Widmyer
Director of Business Development, Supporting Strategies
Presentation Topic – Beyond the Red Tape: Overcoming Nonprofit Accounting Roadblocks
Tina Widmyer is a seasoned professional with a passion for driving growth and impact within the nonprofit industry. With over 20 years of experience across diverse industries and in various capacities within organizations, she has demonstrated a commitment to fostering strategic partnerships and innovative solutions while having a keen understanding of the intricacies involved in nonprofit finances. As Director of Business Development at Supporting Strategies, a leading provider of outsourced accounting services, Tina specializes in tailoring accounting solutions to meet the diverse needs of nonprofits facing unique financial challenges. Given her background, she understands how to develop tailored strategies that maximize resources to support sustainable growth.
Known for her collaborative approach and ability to align Supporting Strategies services with organizations, Tina identifies new opportunities and implements initiatives that allow nonprofits to focus on what matters most to them – advancing their mission. Tina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Organizational Development.
Josi Garfield
Founder, Branch Out Social
Presentation Topic – Real AI Strategies for Nonprofit Marketers
Josi Garfield is a social media strategist and founder of Branch Out Social, a social media agency for impact organizations dedicated to leveraging the power of social media for positive change. With a rich background in PR and a heart deeply rooted in the nonprofit sector, Josi has transformed her passion for making a difference into a career that amplifies the voices of impact organizations nationwide. Since launching Branch Out Social in 2021, she has dedicated herself to serving incredible clients, helping them navigate the complexities of social media to drive awareness, foster genuine connections, and inspire action to further their mission. Josi’s approach is deeply personal and strategic, focusing on creating content that moves people from passive observers to passionate change-makers. Her work is characterized by a commitment to purpose-driven impact, education and empowerment, and building authentic relationships online. With expertise in the latest social media trends and technological advancements, Josi ensures her clients stay ahead of the curve, delivering high-quality service that resonates with audiences and achieves meaningful results.
Erik Tomalis
Chief Evangelist, Virtuous
Presentation Topic – Understanding Today’s Donor: How to Design Systems that Build Lasting Relationships
Erik Tomalis is a proven fundraising professional that is forward thinking, people driven, but most of all results oriented. With over 20 years of professional fundraising experience, he made over 4,000 donor solicitations where he has raised millions of dollars for many non-profit organizations.
Brian Davis
Chief Technology Officer, Active Engagement
Presentation Topic – Creating Emails That Don’t Make People Hate You
Brian Davis has been the Chief Technology Officer at Active Engagement for nearly 15 years. Previously he served as the General Manager/Chief Operating Officer at Patriot Data services and taught Web Design for the Graphic Design program at James Madison University. He also founded NightLight Design, a web design and development firm that developed a string of cutting edge sites and pioneered applications of database and middleware applications.
Colin Hunter
Co-Founder, BetterWorld
Presentation Topic – Unlocking Generosity: Proven Strategies to Boost Donor Engagement and Elevate Your Fundraising
change through innovation and thoughtful experiences. As the co-founder of BetterWorld, Colin
has helped revolutionize the way nonprofits raise money, enabling them to raise $100M+ and
save thousands of operating hours.
has been featured in more than 80 publications, including Esquire, The Wall Street Journal, ABC, NPR, and Forbes.
in Virginia with his wife, Margaret, and their three daughters.
Abraham Rowe
Principal, Good Structures
Presentation Topic – Building Nonprofit Operations that Scale Well
Abraham Rowe has helped found, scale, and operate multiple US charities over the last 10 years. He co-founded and was the first executive director of Wild Animal Initiative, served as COO at Rethink Priorities (a major think tank), and ran a large fiscal sponsorship program. His experience includes designing scalable financial systems, establishing subsidiaries outside the US, managing large teams of operations staff for international organizations, designing risk management and tracking systems, and managing complicated organizational spinouts from fiscal sponsors.
Nathan Glover
Urban Missionary, Urban Impact Foundation
Emcee
Presentation Topic – Leaving a Legacy
Kiersten Hill
Director of Nonprofit Solutions, Firespring
Presentation Topic – It’s All Other Duties As Assigned: Mastering the Multifaceted Role of a Nonprofit Leader
Meet Kiersten Hill, the driving force behind Firespring’s nonprofit solutions and an inspiration to organizations nationwide. With nearly two decades of dedicated service in nonprofit management and fundraising, Kiersten has raised over $20 million to strengthen Nebraska’s nonprofit sector.
A dynamic thought leader and speaker, Kiersten captivates audiences with her expertise on marketing, fundraising, board development and organizational transformation. In the past year alone, she has led or presented at nearly 100 webinars and nonprofit conferences—her insights sparking inspiration and change. As a certified StoryBrand Guide, Kiersten has unlocked the power of storytelling, guiding nonprofits to craft compelling narratives that resonate deeply with their audiences.
inspire speakers
Bart Lillie
Presentation Topic – Send Yourself to Summer Camp Every Single Year
Bart Lillie has three decades of experience in nonprofit storytelling, analytics, and partnerships. From Volunteer with a Colorado-based nonprofit to Vice President of a leading fundraising agency, Bart has been a dynamic advocate for individuals and organizations who are tackling the challenges that are bigger than the boxes they arrive in. His fundraising career began as a student telemarketer for the University of Michigan, has continued with nonprofit and technology roles connecting people and delivering results, and will someday end with a fly rod in a mountain stream teasing rainbow trout.
Ben & Nicole Smithee
The Smithee Group and Iridescent Women
Presentation Topic – Stretched Thin – Lessons for Leaders Struggling to “Do it all”
Nicole Smithee has spent over 20 years serving the local church and speaking at conferences, churches, and events around the world. She is passionate about helping leaders thrive in their calling, and provides personal and practical coaching and community for Christian female leaders through the Lead with Love Coaching and Cohort. She is the co-author of Brilliance Awakened: 21 Devotions to Embrace Your God-Given Potential. Ben Smithee has been a featured speaker around the world across 6 continents and almost 30 countries. Ben has been a sought-after consultant for leading brands including McDonald’s, EA Games, Cox Automotive, Serena Williams, General Mills, ebay, Chase, Popeyes, Disney, Salesforce, and 100’s of startups and retailers. He is the CEO of The Smithee Group (TSG), a Digital Growth Agency that offers a full suite of digital marketing and media solutions.
Kimberly Bottom
Associate Director of Sales, Feathr
Presentation Topic – TBD
Kimberly Bottom is a passionate storyteller and a sharp strategic thinker with nearly 2 decades of experience in digital media. As Associate Director of Sales at Feathr, Kimberly consults with nonprofits on the most effective and efficient ways to know, grow and engage their audiences through GOOD digital marketing. Thanks to Feathr’s 4-day work week, Kimberly has ample time outside business hours to explore her passions in travel, fitness, music and the great outdoors, as well as spend quality time with her husband and 2 Labradors.
attendee testimonial
“Cause Camp is like the bee’s knees. It’s an opportunity to be all in with other social impact professionals who care very deeply about their causes.You get to be in community and share experiences in a real way. It’s not surface level networking but an opportunity to go really deep.”
get in touch
Our team is happy to assist you with any further questions or requests. Whether you’re interested in becoming a sponsor or would make a good addition to our speaker line-up, we’d love to hear from you!