President: Todd Troester

Todd Troester is an innovative fundraising professional with +9 years’ experience delivering high-impact growth across public relations, partnership development, and fundraising initiatives. He has a talent for cultivating strategic partnerships with Board of Directors, executive leadership, community partners and volunteers in support of mission objectives. Passionate and highly motivated program leader known for brand enthusiasm and community engagement. Todd currently works for Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) as the Director of Development, serves on the Board of Directors of Our Joyful Noise, and Co-Chairs the Fundraising Committee of Chesapeake and Potomac Softball (CAPS), an LGBTQ+ nonprofit softball league.

Prior to MVLS, Todd was the Director of Development at Sunflower Bakery, Director of Individual Giving at St. Vincent de Paul, and Development Manager at The Baltimore Station. Todd got his start in nonprofit work after graduating from Goucher College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies working for TALMAR Gardens, a horticulture therapy center. Before fundraising, Todd had a 7+ year career in the restaurant industry working for farm to table restaurants on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He ended his culinary career as a Head Chef, with an Associate’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Chesapeake College.

Todd has been a proud member of AFP MD since 2018, serving as the Membership Committee Co-Chair (2022-2023), on the Mentorship Committee (2022-2023), and on the National Philanthropy Day Planning Committee (2024). 

President-Elect: Caitlin Christ, CFRE

Caitlin Christ is a dedicated nonprofit marketing and development leader with over 15 years of experience driving strategic growth and community engagement. Known for her expertise in elevating communications and philanthropy, Caitlin has successfully led strategic, thoughtful fundraising campaigns and large-scale rebranding initiatives. With a deep commitment to mission-driven work, she excels in developing impactful programs, fostering donor relationships, and empowering teams. Caitlin’s contributions reflect her strong work ethic, collaborative spirit, and passion for creating positive change for future generations.

Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Chelsea Brown

Chelsea Brown is an award-winning philanthropist, social impact advocate, and entrepreneur. Trained as a nonprofit management professional, Chelsea has more than eight years of experience in philanthropy, communications, fundraising, sponsorships, and grantmaking. Chelsea is the founder of The Black Mill, a consulting firm focused on coordinating cross-functional efforts to drive mission-based engagement, programs, and partnerships with international nonprofit and for-profit partners. Through her passion for bringing diversity and inclusion to philanthropy, she received the Diverse Communities Scholarship through the Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference and the Charles R. Stephens Scholarship for the AADO/CASE Conference on Diverse Philanthropy and Leadership. In 2019, she was selected as a Forbes Under 30 Scholar, University of Maryland's Do Good Institute Philanthropy Fellow, and a William Randolph Hearst Fellow with the Aspen Institute's Philanthropy and Social Innovation Program. In 2020, she was highlighted as a "Black Woman to Watch in Philanthropy" in BlackHer's study on Black philanthropy titled "The Black Woman's Guide to Philanthropy." As an advocate for community engagement, she has served on over five boards, including the Winthrop University Foundation Board of Directors. She has managed corporate social responsibility efforts for Nasdaq and Exelon and previously served as the Executive Director of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce. As a graduate student at the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy, Chelsea was a Millard E. Tydings Regents Fellowship Fund recipient and was selected as a Philanthropy Fellow underneath the University of Maryland's Do Good Institute. Through her work with The Black Mill, Chelsea has supported grantmaking and grant writing support for the Black and Missing Foundation, The Upwork Foundation, Baltimore Legacy Builders Collective, and more. Chelsea received the 2022 BGE Energizing Small Business Grant and the BeyGOOD Foundation Small Business Grant, earning grant funding support to expand the Black Mill to offer sponsorship and partnership strategies for large-scale cultural events and organizations. Chelsea completed the Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania. Chelsea received her Master of Public Management from the University of Maryland in 2021 and her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Winthrop University in 2014.

Vice President, Member Services: Dannielle Sturgeon

Dannielle Sturgeon is currently the Senior Development Director of the Baltimore Tree Trust. She works with institutions and individuals to build a local workforce and plant healthier neighborhoods where all Baltimoreans can live, work, and thrive. At the Tree Trust, she leads fundraising efforts to expand Baltimore's urban tree canopy.

In 2018, Ms. Sturgeon moved to Maryland, where she transitioned to a career in fundraising as the Institutional Giving Coordinator for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and then worked for Baltimore Corps by fundraising to invest in local talent seeking to advance their careers. Her professional background includes arts administration and higher education, specializing in communications, marketing, operations, and project management.

Service is an essential facet of Ms. Sturgeon’s career. She is the Board President of the Baltimore-based musical arts cooperative, Mind on Fire Baltimore and serves as the Vice President of Membership Services for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Maryland. Ms. Sturgeon has also served on grant review panels for the Maryland State Arts Council and Baltimore Civic Fund.

Ms. Sturgeon holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Administration from Western Michigan University (2017), a Master of Music from The Ohio State University (2013), and a Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University (2011).  

Vice President, Professional Advancement: Kat Parker-Thomas, CFRE

Kat Thomas is the Vice President of Philanthropy at the Maryland Food Bank, where she leads the frontline fundraising team. An active AFP Maryland board member in 2024, Kat has enjoyed expanding program offerings, from a Women’s Fundraising Celebration panel to a documentary screening of Uncharitable. Looking forward to bringing even more innovative ideas to AFP in the coming year – come and join us!

VP, Government Relations: Kathleen Gregory, CFRE

Kathleen Gregory, CFRE, is the Director of Development at the Public Justice Center (PJC) – a non-profit law firm using legal advocacy to change systems, laws, policies, and practices that perpetuate economic injustice and racial inequity in Maryland and around the country. At the PJC, she leads the team responsible for strategic fund development, communications, marketing, and supporter engagement. Kathleen has 20+ years of fundraising and communications experience, including at Paul’s Place, Central Scholarship, the Baltimore Community Foundation, the Maryland Food Bank, and Strong City Baltimore (then Greater Homewood Community Corporation). She earned a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University in 2020, the Certified Fundraising Executive credentials in 2007, and a Bachelor's from Allegheny College in 1999.

She is currently chair of the Association of Fundraising Professional’s Political Action Committee (AFP PAC) and a member of two AFP Global committees: U.S. Government Relations and Finance. Previously, she was a board member of the AFP Maryland Chapter from January 2009 to December 2018 and was chapter President from January 2014 to December 2015. She also volunteers as a Peer Reviewer for Maryland Nonprofits’ Standards for Excellence and as a Tax Preparer for CASH Campaign of Maryland. Kathleen lives in Baltimore City with her husband and their energetic pit bull and enjoys hiking, running, indoor climbing, cooking, and reading.

Treasurer: Danielle DeVeau Crawford, CFRE

Danielle DeVeau Crawford, CFRE, brings 27 years of experience that includes delivering and exceeding critical philanthropic targets for a broad range of sectors both in the US and the UK.

Her career commenced in Elon University’s Advancement Office as a volunteer and continued after graduation. In the UK, Danielle worked for the National Museums of Scotland, Cancer Research UK, and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. Returning to the US, Danielle joined the Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine as Senior Associate, Director of Development for the Department of Medicine and then moved to MedStar Health as Director of Development at Washington Hospital Center and later served as Vice President, Philanthropy at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center.

Danielle currently serves as Director of Development of Neurosciences for University of Maryland Medicine.

Secretary: Stephanie Benedetti

Stephanie Benedetti (she/her) is the Chief Development Officer for The Arc Montgomery County and is a passionate disability inclusion advocate. With 15 years of fundraising and business development experience, all in disability focused organizations, Stephanie's favorite parts of fundraising are writing innovative grants, working with corporate partners, and developing funding strategies for new initiatives. Stephanie has worked for National Industries for the Blind and Lighthouse Louisiana before coming to The Arc Montgomery County and joining AFP Maryland in 2023.

Stephanie has a BS in Anthropology and Comparative Literature from University of Maryland and an MA in Education from the University of Tennessee. Stephanie is also a volunteer troop leader with Girl Scouts Nation's Capital and is on the board of her daughter's elementary school PTA. Stephanie lives in Bethesda with her husband Rob and their daughter Ella and enjoys hiking, travelling, and cooking.

Immediate Past President: Emily Hamsher Kindred, CFRE

With nearly 15 years of experience in progressive leadership capacities across higher education and social service, Emily Hamsher Kindred, CFRE, is passionate about delivering high-impact organizational growth through a continued commitment to learning and best practices. In her current role, Emily serves Johns Hopkins University as Director of Development, The Hopkins Fund. She also volunteers with several committees and nonprofit boards across the greater Baltimore community and is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Johns Hopkins University.

Officially, Emily got her start in fundraising through a college internship. Unofficially, she is influenced by a service-driven family and has been stuffing appeal envelopes for as long as she can remember.

Emily has been an advocate for the AFP experience since initially joining the AFP DC Chapter in 2012. She has served on the Board of Directors for the AFP Maryland Chapter since 2019 and held executive positions as Vice President, Member Services (2021-2022) and Chapter President (2023-2024).

National Philanthropy Day Chair: Vacant

CFRE Chair: Christina Bauer, CFRE

Christina Bauer is the Director of Development at Health Care for the Homeless. A native of Rochester, NY with a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University, Christina is an experienced fundraiser and relationship-builder. She began working at Health Care for the Homeless in 2010 in an events role where she helped to create the first Rock Your Socks 5K and shape The Chocolate Affair. During the last seven years working in major gifts, she has engaged new donors and institutional partners in meaningful partnerships. Christina received her CFRE certification in 2021. She is also an active volunteer at her son's elementary school in Baltimore County.

Membership Chair: Jessica Normington

Jessica Normington is currently the Director of Development and Communications for Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM). Jessica has over 20 years of professional fundraising and marketing experience and has a board range of development experience in managing large fundraising events, direct mail appeals, and managing volunteers. During her nonprofit professional career, Jessica has worked in higher education, chamber associations, and human services. She has talent for cultivating strategic partnerships with community partners and volunteers in support of BISM’s mission.

Jessica graduated from Muhlenberg College with a B.S, in Communications and minor in Business Marketing. She joined AFP Maryland in early 2022. When not raising funds or educating people about blindness, Jessica enjoys reading a good book, running, and cooking and lives in Baltimore County with her husband, 2 kids and 2 rescue dogs.

Communications Chair: Caitlin Christ, CFRE

Caitlin Christ is a dedicated nonprofit marketing and development leader with over 15 years of experience driving strategic growth and community engagement. Known for her expertise in elevating communications and philanthropy, Caitlin has successfully led strategic, thoughtful fundraising campaigns and large-scale rebranding initiatives. With a deep commitment to mission-driven work, she excels in developing impactful programs, fostering donor relationships, and empowering teams. Caitlin’s contributions reflect her strong work ethic, collaborative spirit, and passion for creating positive change for future generations.

Mentorship Chair: Vacant

Programs Chair: Robyn Dammers, CFRE

Robyn Dammers is a dedicated professional with over ten years of experience in relationship building, sales, event execution, and team leadership, currently focused on non-profit development. As the Director of Development for The League for People with Disabilities, Robyn spearheads The League Fund's annual giving campaigns and manages fundraising events, effectively cultivating donor relationships and overseeing strategic planning to exceed revenue goals.

Previously, Robyn excelled as the Director of Event Sales at Hyatt Regency Baltimore, where she secured and planned high-profile events, optimized budgeting strategies, and enhanced guest experiences. Her earlier roles in event sales and management have equipped her with expertise in account management, event logistics, and volunteer stewardship, which she brings to the non-profit world.

Robyn holds a B.S. in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management from the University of Delaware and is a Certified Fundraising Executive. Outside of working hours, she enjoys baking, hiking, and being the epitome of a sports mom on the sidelines of her two young children's activities.

Roundtables Chair: Sheronda Nixon Booker

With over 25 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, Sheronda is a seasoned expert dedicated to driving impactful change through strategic philanthropy. Throughout her career, Sheronda has worked with a diverse range of organizations—spanning higher education, healthcare, the arts, and social services—leading successful fundraising campaigns and strengthened community engagement.

Sheronda's comprehensive expertise includes all facets of fundraising development, from major gift cultivation and donor stewardship to planned giving. She is deeply committed to advancing best practices in nonprofit fundraising, ensuring that all campaigns are designed with transparency, ethics, and accountability in mind. Currently, Sheronda is a Major Gifts Officer at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), where she cultivates high wealth individuals to support students to get to and stay in college. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from North Carolina Central University and a Master of General Administration in Marketing Management from the University of Maryland University College, now UMGC.

Throughout her career and passion for promoting the profession, Sheronda has mentored countless young professionals in the nonprofit sector, served on the AFP Maryland Chapter Diversity Committee, led workshops for small charitable groups on basic fundraising concepts, and currently serves as the facilitator for the Small Shop Roundtable. Sheronda believes that by fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning, we can create stronger, more resilient nonprofit organizations capable of driving lasting change. Sheronda is eager to bring her knowledge, leadership experience, and passion for philanthropy to the AFP Maryland Chapter board, helping to further strengthen the fundraising profession and elevate the collective impact of the nonprofit sector.

Sponsorship Chair: Burnham "Turk" Lewis

Turk has served in various leadership roles in philanthropy for more than two decades. His career in development began in independent schools where he served as Director of Development/Advancement and Assistant Head of School for Advancement at three schools in Florida and New York. In 2015, Turk worked as a philanthropy consultant before creating his own firm in 2018. Much of his consulting work has focused on governance, strategic planning, feasibility studies, development staffing, campaign counsel, change management, and nonprofit mergers.

Turk currently serves as the Director of Development at TLC-The Treatment and Learning Centers in Rockville, MD, a nonprofit organization improving lives and expanding possibilities for individuals with disabilities since 1950.

A lifelong learner, Turk was a Barnes Fellow at the Klingenstein Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University studying governance, school administration, and social justice reform. Prior to joining the AFP Maryland Board, he also served on the CASE District II Board and was an active member of the Palm Beach County Chapter of AFP.

At Large Member: Marlo Jacobson

Marlo Jacobson is the Director of Advancement at The Maryland School for the Blind, where she leads fundraising and marketing initiatives that support students who are blind or have low vision. With expertise in marketing and communications, capital funding, and strategic donor stewardship, Marlo works to create lasting impact through innovative campaigns and thoughtful resource allocation. Her commitment to advancing educational opportunities and building strong community partnerships is central to her work, making her a dedicated advocate for accessible, quality education for all students.

At Large Member: Denelle Joynes

Denelle Joynes is a development and grants professional who leverages her passion for writing and storytelling to generate transformative change in underserved communities and shed light on undertold stories. She is currently a Grants Associate at the Johns Hopkins University Office of Research Administration supporting the development, review, and submission of proposals to sponsors to fund world-class research & activities of University faculty and affiliates. Prior to her current role, she served as Grants Manager for the Maryland Food Bank submitting proposals and applications to government entities, corporations, and foundations to fund the organization’s mission. Denelle has a B.S. in English from Towson University and during her undergraduate journey worked alongside a team of student grant writers to garner financial support for grassroots nonprofits across Baltimore City. She is currently in pursuit of a Master of Arts degree in Engaged & Public Humanities from Georgetown University.

At Large Member: Jocabel Michel Reyes, MBA, PMP

Jocabel Michel Reyes, Chief Development Officer at Catholic Charities, is a mission-driven visionary leader with more than 20 years of non-profit and development experience. Prior to Catholic Charities, the largest private provider of human services in Maryland, Jocabel served as Director of Advancement at Jhpiego, a global health care nonprofit organization born out of Johns Hopkins more than 50 years ago. Previously, Jocabel served as Senior Associate Director of Development for the Department of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University and Director of Development at the College of Science at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).

Prior to UTEP, Jocabel served as a policy research associate and policy associate for ethics and accountability at Independent Sector in Washington, D.C., where she performed research and statistical analyses and co-authored numerous publications on philanthropy trends.

Jocabel received a BA in Economics and BA in Public Policy from Brown University and an MBA in International Business from the University of Texas at El Paso. In addition to her numerous publications and research fellowships, Jocabel has a Project Management Professional (PMP)® Certification.

At Large Member: Kenya DeLouis, MPA

After working in the film sector and discovering my passion for helping others, I pursued my Masters in Public Administration, Nonprofit Management. From there I worked with several organizations such as Smile Train, Big Brothers Big Sisters, One America Movement, Boy Scouts of America, and more. I've done the entire realm of fundraising from face to face fundraising and writing grants, to corporate and individual donor solicitation. I truly love connecting with the community, providing resources, and getting to know that I'm making a difference.

 The mission of AFP Maryland is to foster the growth and development of a culturally diverse population of fundraising professionals, enhance philanthropy by encouraging giving and volunteering, and promote ethics in fundraising and sound non-profit management throughout Maryland.

AFP-Maryland will be recognized as a leading advocate on fundraising and philanthropic issues in our community and the professional organization of choice for fundraising professionals.