Expert Philanthropy and Charitable Giving Consultants

Michael Hoover, CPA, is a Family Office Counselor and Vice President at Rockefeller Capital Management, where he advises high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families on complex income tax, trust, estate, and multigenerational wealth planning strategies. Born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Michael earned a Master of Accounting along with Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Finance from The Pennsylvania State University, graduating cum laude and as a consistent Dean’s List recipient. He passed all four sections of the CPA exam in 2016 and has since built more than a decade of experience in professional services and financial advisory roles. Prior to joining Rockefeller Capital Management, Michael served as a Tax Director at Siegfried Advisory, where he led tax compliance and strategic planning engagements for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and closely held businesses. Earlier in his career, he worked in PwC’s Personal Financial Services group, supporting sophisticated private clients with comprehensive tax and wealth planning needs. Michael is an active member of the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council and is well regarded for his thoughtful, relationship-driven approach to family office advisory work. Beyond his professional practice, Michael is deeply committed to mentorship, philanthropy, and community service, including ongoing fundraising and advocacy for Penn State’s Dance Marathon (THON), where he danced in 2016. He has also supported financial literacy initiatives, church-based outreach programs, youth athletics, and therapy dog visitation programs. Michael lives in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Amy, their dog Finn, and their growing family. In his free time, he enjoys running, traveling, fitness, and watching Penn State and Philadelphia sports.

Phil Santoro is an entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Wilbur Labs, a startup studio turning bold ideas into market-leading companies. Phil previously worked at Google and founded and sold FreeForums.org. Co-Founder of Wilbur Labs: Phil is a Co-Founder of Wilbur Labs, a Startup Studio turning bold ideas into market-leading companies. WilburLabs provides funding, shared resources, and operational support to turn bold ideas into market-leading companies. Since 2016, Wilbur Labs has built and invested in 21+ companies. Expert on Building Companies: Phil Santoro is an expert on building companies, and loves sharing what he’s learned to help others. Phil answers common founder questions on the Wilbur Labs Founder FAQ series. Phil is a frequent speaker on entrepreneurship and author of numerous articles in Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, and Entrepreneur Magazine. Past Work – Google: From 2013-2016 Phil worked at Google in Mountain View, California, as a Growth Strategist. While working at Google, Phil met David Kolodny, who joined at the same time. After a couple of years, they started brainstorming startup ideas weekly and had several problems they wanted to solve. Phil Santoro and David Kolodny left Google in 2016 and founded Wilbur Labs. Past Work – Founder of FreeForums.org: In 2007, Phil Santoro founded FreeForums.org to allow anyone to create a forum. FreeForums.org quickly became one of the largest destinations online, receiving over 125 million monthly pageviews, and was acquired by the public company CrowdGather in 2010. Education Background of Phil Santoro: Phil graduated from the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business in 2013 with a B.B.A in Finance.

Filip is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ with almost two decades of financial services experience. He started his career in the retail banking environment - first as a bank teller in high school before moving on to a banker role at JP Morgan Chase after graduating college. In this capacity, Filip educated and assisted a diverse mix of personal and business clients with core financial needs including banking, investments and lending. After, he transitioned to UBS and developed a strong foundation around investment research early on and comprehensive planning later, acquiring his CFP® in 2017. With this base, Filip then moved to TIAA to work with mostly late career accumulators, pre-retirees and retirees. This is where his passion for holistic planning really took off and led him to Facet, where he was able to apply his experience and knowledge to everyone at different stages of life. Additionally, he became an expert in strategizing around niche components of planning like equity compensation, employee benefits and more. Fast forward to the current day, Filip owns and operates Benzina (an independent RIA) where he can focus his diverse skill set, perfectionist nature and all resources on creating a high quality, detailed financial plan for mid-career professionals. Growing up in New York, Filip now considers the Gulf Coast of Florida his home base alongside his wife, Stephanie and their cat, Olivia (who really runs the household). Their values include spending time with family (even if it means a quick turnaround flight to NY), traveling to gain exposure to different cultures around the world, and staying active (with hiking and skiing at the top of the list). Daily free time is occupied with reading, listening to a podcast, hitting the gym or going on a long drive together.

Jean-Pierre "JP" Conte is the founder and managing partner of Lupine Crest Capital, a family office focused on private market investments across healthcare, financial services, software, and industrial technology. A graduate of Colgate University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1985, and Harvard Business School, where he received his MBA in 1989, Conte brings decades of experience in private equity and financial leadership. Conte began his finance career at Chase Manhattan Bank before joining a San Francisco-based private equity firm in 1995. Over nearly three decades, he helped grow that organization from approximately $100 million in assets under management to roughly $49 billion, while overseeing two generational leadership transitions. Beyond his investment work, Conte serves on the boards of several portfolio companies, including ConnectiveRx, Signant Health, and Advarra. He also holds governance roles at Colgate University as a Trustee, the UCSF Foundation, the Board of Overseers of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, and the CPMC hospital foundation in San Francisco. Conte established the JP Conte Family Foundation in 2017, working to advance a range of causes spanning from education to the environment. His philanthropic work includes the Conte First Generation Fund, which provides scholarships and mentorship for first-generation college students at eleven universities, including Colgate and Harvard. He contributed $25 million to Colgate University for a new campus social center and donated $5 million to UCSF to advance Parkinson's and neurodegenerative disease research through two endowed professorships. He also supports SEO Scholars and 10,000 Degrees, organizations that mentor and prepare students from underserved communities for higher education, and works closely with Pepperwood Preserve on environmental conservation and wildfire research in Northern California. A first-generation American, Conte's father Pierre fled France following the Nazi occupation, while his mother Isabel emigrated from Cuba. "I grew up in a modest household that had big dreams and big aspirations, but we didn't have a lot of resources," Conte has shared. "What we did have was a lot of love and good family, good connections, and people who helped me along the way."

Alessandro Calvo is the founder and managing director of Paraguay Pathways, the leading and fastest-growing immigration consultancy for foreigners in Paraguay. Fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and French, he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Paraguay and maintains close ties with Paraguay’s national government. From Paraguay Pathway's headquarters at the World Trade Center Asunción, the firm advises entrepreneurs, investors, and digital nomads on securing tax-efficient residency and navigating Paraguay’s immigration system with confidence. A former digital nomad himself, Alessandro brings firsthand experience of the challenges and opportunities of global mobility. Previously a financial columnist, he now shares insights through the Paraguay Pathways podcast and rapidly growing YouTube channel, covering residency, taxation, banking, crypto compliance, and real estate strategies for wealth preservation.

Hey there! I'm Jena Lynch and I'm honored to serve as the Education & Community Engagement Manager at Donorbox.As someone who has had their boots on the ground and deeply cares about making a positive impact in the world, I'm passionate about supporting nonprofits in their mission to do good. My goal is to provide nonprofits with the necessary tools and resources to help them connect with their communities, raise funds, and create lasting change.I'm here to support you and your organization in any way I can. Whether you're just starting out or have been making a difference for years, I believe that together we can achieve even more.So, if you're looking for a helping hand, a listening ear, or just someone to chat with about your mission, feel free to reach out. I'm here for you!

Emilie Given is the Founder & CEO of She’s A Given, a U.S.-based virtual executive assistant agency that has paired more than 200 clients with personalized executive support. Under her leadership, the company has surpassed $4 million in lifetime revenue while giving back over $100,000 in discounted services to nonprofits and solopreneurs. Her expertise lies in delegation, productivity, and feminist entrepreneurship, and she is widely recognized for her signature message: “Delegation is a Feminist Act.” Emilie has built her career around showing leaders how to reclaim time, scale their impact, and achieve genuine work-life harmony by pairing with skilled executive assistants. Before launching her agency, Emilie began her career at Amazon, an experience that shaped her systems-thinking approach to executive support and business operations. Beyond her company, Emilie is deeply committed to philanthropy and community involvement. She served as Gala Chair for the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Gala in 2024, is a former March of Dimes board member, and previously served on the Community Bridges NW board. Emilie also hosted The Coast Podcast, where she highlighted stories of entrepreneurship and resilience. Over her six years of entrepreneurship, she has personally donated to more than 100 organizations whose causes she deeply resonates with. She continues to volunteer weekly at her local elementary school, serves on the PTA to support Title I students, and donates 50% of resale profits from her secondary business to neighborhood schools. Her leadership and impact have been recognized nationally — she was named to the Entreprenista 100 list of top female founders and has been featured in outlets including Forbes, Business Insider, Fast Company, Seattle Refined, and more. Emilie is also a speaker, coach, and writer, helping executive assistants transition into fulfilling remote careers and guiding founders to lead with greater freedom and ease. She is currently writing her memoir, Unwanted, which explores her journey from a childhood in foster care and surviving near-death childbirth to becoming a successful entrepreneur and advocate for women reclaiming their time.

Tina T. Duong is a philanthropic innovator and mission-driven executive with 25+ years of leadership at the intersection of philanthropy, sustainability, and social responsibility. She is the Founder & CEO of ImpactPro Tech®, a first-of-its-kind SaaS platform that automates donor intelligence mining and fuels multimillion-dollar fundraising initiatives. Previously, Tina held senior leadership roles at the World Resources Institute, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Asia Society, Habitat for Humanity and The Asian American Foundation, where she drove 7–8 figure philanthropic investments, aligned global partnerships, and spearheaded transformative campaigns. Her career highlights include securing $150M in climate funding, leading the communications campaign behind the largest housing bond in U.S. history ($2.85B), and revitalizing board engagement to historic levels. She is known for turning bold vision into measurable impact.

Burak Genc is an Enrolled Agent and the founder of Arc & Ledger Accounting, a U.S.-based tax and accounting firm serving individuals and small business owners. He specializes in individual and small business tax compliance, IRS notices, and practical tax strategy for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and first-generation business owners. Burak works closely with clients navigating Schedule C businesses, single-member LLCs, and multi-state considerations, with a particular focus on California tax issues. Known for translating complex tax rules into clear, actionable guidance, he helps clients stay compliant while making informed financial decisions. In addition to tax preparation, Burak advises clients on year-round tax planning, business structure considerations, and responding to IRS correspondence. He frequently educates business owners on common tax mistakes, misconceptions, and best practices.

For over 30 years, Jim has been a change agent in the nonprofit and public sectors. Just recently, he finished his 7th interim executive position. Jim was the Interim CEO of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, a visual and performing arts center in the heart of the cultural and convention district of San Francisco. There, he helped reduce a projected $4M deficit to $600k surplus and built back trust with the staff after a major public relations crisis. Previously, Jim was the Interim CEO of Downtown Streets Team, a nonprofit rated as one of California’s top five evidence-based best practices in transitioning the homeless to self-sufficiency. Over 18 months, he turned an $800,000 deficit into a $500,000 surplus while also paying off a third of their debt. Previously, he served as the interim executive director of five other nonprofits. His additional positions include acting as the Chief Communications Officer for the American Red Cross in Colorado, the interim Chief Operating Officer for More than Me (an international nonprofit for girls in Africa), and the Chief External Relations Officer for the Minnesota Zoo. In addition to his nonprofit work, Jim is passionate about good government. Jim was the VP of Strategy at CivicMakers, a San Francisco government innovation consultancy. There, he co-facilitated a three year strategic roadmap for the City of Hayward and designed process improvements for over 40 internal procedures for the City of Berkeley. As a 2014 Humphrey School Policy Fellow, 2013 White House Innovation Fellow finalist, and winner of the 2012 Minnesota Idea Open, he has been recognized for excellence within the public sector. Jim holds a master’s degree in public policy from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from the University of Pennsylvania. To find out more, go to https://www.jimrettew.com

Hey! I’m Danielle Locke. I founded Locke Step Partners because I was frustrated by the endless cycle of grants and events. I knew I could help nonprofit directors raise more unrestricted funds, especially from individual donors already in their list! I serve as a fundraising coach, connector, knowledge resource, and sometimes just a safe space to vent. My specialties include nonprofit management, donor cultivation, fundraising/campaign strategy, and board engagement. I am an expert in nonprofit fundraising because I have had considerable success in organizations just like these - 20 years actually. I have a few credentials too. These include a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP ) from the American College of Financial Services, a Master of Public Administration with a certificate in Nonprofit Management, from Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, both from Cleveland State University. (The Pysch degree comes in handy these days.)I believe every nonprofit leader has the potential to create a sustainable future for their organization by through meaningful donor partnerships. I am focused on giving nonprofits the step-by-step instruction, tools and support to actually implement the permanent changes that lead to their thriving future.

Bill has been a part of city culture and the western industry in downtown Dallas since he was a 12-year-old kid. Bill learned the business from the ground up from his father, and after returning from the Vietnam War, he started his first business with only $10.00 in his pocket and a prayer. Since then Bill has never looked back and has been in the Western and Cowboy Business for over 40 years. Wild As the Western Ambassador of Dallas, a staple in Dallas tourism and a symbol of Texas pride, Bill has worked with and officially deputized many prestigious corporations, celebrities and VIP's from around the globe. He has a heart the size of Texas and continues to join forces with the city & state to help bring groups back to the DFW area such as POW-WOW, Fire Chiefs, AME, multiple Super Bowl committee (including Super Bowl XLV in Dallas) and many others. Bill is also well known in the film and television industry. He has supplied western wardrobes, design and other elements other elements for series including both the original Dallas TV series and the new TNT version, numerous worldwide television and film interviews as well as many segments for National Geographic, Google, Twitter, Disney, X-Factor, Food Television Network just to name a few. Bill has received many accolades from organizations such as: ATF, CMA, DC&VB, MPI and the GOP, and is a Recipient of the Lavone Ray award, for exceptional customer service. His passion is evident through the enthusiasm of sharing that friendly Texas spirit for which Cowboys and Western heroes are known. Wild Bill's Western Store also continues to collect accolades as well, by annually being mentioned in top magazines one of the top 12 Western stores in the United States.

With over 20 years of experience in development and philanthropy, I am the CEO and founder of LG. Philanthropy, a company that supports non-profit organizations and communities in driving positive impacts. I leverage my career expertise to inspire and empower my clients by creating bespoke plans and strategies that meet their specific needs and goals.As a positive and open communicator, I build authentic and meaningful relationships with donors, partners, volunteers, and colleagues, and employ exceptional donor relations and stewardship practices. I am passionate about helping others maximize the impact of their giving through strategic philanthropic partnerships. I also enjoy leading and motivating teams that produce measurable results and lasting change. I am entrepreneurial and methodical in my approach, and I use innovation and proven processes to diversify the donor base and pipeline, and generate revenue growth.

James Vanreusel spent 8 years with a Wall Street investment bank. He generated around $8 Million in annual sales through his relationships with hedge and mutual funds, before moving into private equity and asset management. After leaving Wall Street, he became a CFA Charterholder and went on to found three microfinance banks in the South Pacific. He also created a holding company based in Singapore that delivered growth at 600%. In 2014, he moved to San Francisco and set up Vanreusel Ventures: a team of CFO consultants and financial analysts, working with for-profit and non-profit clients across the US. They help emerging companies to grow and scale, by building teams and systems that will expand with the business. All while developing the finance skills and mindset of the CEO. The result is a framework to see the business through the early years, in readiness for its first full-time CFO. The #1 Key To Creating A Thriving Business is James’ first book – drawing on the first 20 years of a career that’s taken him deep into the world’s financial markets. Here is a link for your free book: https://vanreuselventures.com/free-book/

I am a Certified Public Accountant and owner of Monaco CPA, specializing in cryptocurrency taxation, digital asset accounting, and investor-focused tax strategy. I advise individuals and business owners navigating complex reporting issues involving crypto trading, self-custody wallets, DeFi activity, and evolving IRS compliance requirements. My work focuses on helping clients make disciplined, informed decisions grounded in fundamentals—not speculation—while maintaining accurate records and defensible tax positions as regulation and enforcement expand. I've been quoted by national financial publications including Nasdaq, Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, and BeInCrypto, where I provide commentary on crypto fundamentals, investor behavior, and the intersection of digital assets and tax policy.

Adam Kidan is an American business leader, entrepreneur, attorney, and philanthropist. He currently holds the position of President at Empire Workforce Solutions. Adam Kidan is also known for founding Chartwell Staffing Solutions and having served as its former Chairman & CEO. Throughout his career, he has actively engaged in political campaigns for critical elections and has contributed to several nonprofit boards.

Performance Marketer with 2 years of experience, seeking opportunities in digital marketing and business strategy. - Increased the blog traffic by more than 500x, and page rankings by 2x. Also, handled a project to increase the revenue of the burning properties by working on the unit level. Trained new interns in SEO and Webmaster. - Carried out backlink analysis and used tools like ahrefs, etc. - Work on content marketing by owning the Treebo Travel Blog. Managed a team of content writers, agencies and freelancers. - Handled social media and alliances to help and support team when we were running short on bandwidth. - Managing SEM and working on increasing the ROAS and optimizing the performance by improving CTR using amplitude, SQL and SEMRush. Highly organized and effective communicator. Managing entire ownership of various tasks and planning activities. Proficient in cross-team collaboration, problem-solving, skills development, and process improvements.

Kiron Chandy explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, urban design, and public policy. With over a decade of experience as a strategist and advisor to senior executives at companies like Google and PwC and public sector leaders like the Mayor of Turin, she specializes in building data-driven organizations and shaping narratives around emerging tech across the private and public sector. Kiron is the founder and Executive Director of Consult Your Community (CYC), a nonprofit she launched at UC Berkeley as an undergraduate and scaled nationwide while simultaneously executing strategy roles at Google and PwC. Consult Your Community is a national workforce development nonprofit mobilizing free business support for small businesses while helping early-career talent build workforce-ready skills. Kiron holds a master’s degree in urban planning from Harvard University.

Iris Duan is a dynamic venture partner and operational leader specializing in early-stage investments, decentralized technologies, and sustainable innovation across international markets. As a Venture Partner at a $50M+ AUM VC firm, she successfully chaired weekly investment committees, managed cross-border deals, and fully returned Fund 1 with a 2.4x MOIC. Her investment focus includes renewable energy, cloud computing, medtech, and Machine Learning. Concurrently, as COO and Co-founder of Immutable Labs, Iris drove the creation of an operating model generating $25M in revenue, leading the integration of advanced packaged technology across edge computing, FLLMs, secured oracles, and explainable AI, delivering significant compute and cash reductions. Fluent in English and Mandarin, Iris leverages a global perspective from her experience in Zurich, Beijing, and Milan, blending deep financial acumen (BBA in Finance, Minor in Economics from Emory University) with practical, high-growth startup leadership. Her expertise lies in translating complex client needs into tangible business requirements, orchestrating R&D, and building robust client bases that support hybrid cloud and idle computing solutions. Iris is a two-time TEDx speaker and a passionate advocate for social enterprise, having led non-profit consulting teams focused on strategic PR and market research for diverse international clients.