2024 Board of Directors
On behalf of your AFP Maryland Chapter, we are pleased to present the following officers and directors for 2024. These individuals have shown their dedication to the chapter through their service on AFP committees and the Board of Directors – creating and promoting member benefits at the local level.
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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.
Prior to her role at Hopkins, Emily was director of the annual fund with the Maryland Food Bank, a director of development for Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation, and a director of corporate and foundation relations for St. Coletta of Greater Washington. Officially, Emily got her start in fundraising as a development intern with the National Kidney Foundation Serving the Alleghenies while pursuing a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Corporate Communication and Public Relations & Advertising from Duquesne University. 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 most recently held the chapter position of Vice President, Member Services (2021-2022).
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President-Elect: Todd Troester
Todd Troester is an innovative fundraising professional with 7+ years’ experience delivering high-impact growth across public relations, stewardship, 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 Sunflower Bakery as the Director of Development and serves on the Board of Directors of Our Joyful Noise.
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Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Marlo Jacobson
Marlo Jacobson, an accomplished professional with a strong background in development, marketing, communications, and nonprofit organizational management, currently serves on the senior management team at The Maryland School for the Blind as the Director of Development, overseeing all fundraising, community relations, marketing, and PR. Prior to this role, Jacobson held various leadership positions in prominent organizations within the Baltimore and DC metropolitan areas. She was the Director of Development for the Creative Alliance, the Richard Dawkins Foundation, Planned Parenthood of Maryland, the American Red Cross of Central Maryland, and the United Way of Central Maryland. Originally from New York, Jacobson earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Goddard College in Vermont. She resides in Northeast Baltimore with her husband, two hilarious teens, a sainted mother-in-law, and two rowdy dogs.
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Vice President, Member Services: Dannielle Sturgeon
Dannielle Sturgeon is currently the Director of Development at Baltimore Corps, Inc. She works with both institutions and individuals to enlist talent to accelerate social innovation in Baltimore and advance a citywide agenda for equity and racial justice. During her time at Baltimore Corps, she has supported fundraising efforts to expand service opportunities in Baltimore and to build out their place-based service model for national application.
In 2018, Ms. Sturgeon moved to Maryland and transitioned to a career in fundraising as the Institutional Giving Coordinator for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and then worked as the Advancement Services Specialist at Strong City Baltimore. Her professional background also includes arts administration and higher education with specializations in communications, marketing, operations, and project management.
Service is an important 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 a Membership Co-Chair 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), Master of Music from The Ohio State University (2013), and Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University (2011).
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Vice President, Professional Advancement: Kat Parker-Thomas
With an extensive career spanning nearly 15 years and marked by progressive leadership roles across diverse nonprofit sectors, Kat Parker Thomas, CFRE, is dedicated to fostering high-impact organizational growth through a steadfast commitment to continuous learning and the implementation of best practices.
Currently serving as the Senior Director of Philanthropy at the Maryland Food Bank, Kat exemplifies her passion for making a difference by actively engaging in philanthropic initiatives. Beyond her professional role, she extends her impact by volunteering with various nonprofit organizations locally and internationally.
Prior to her esteemed position at the Maryland Food Bank, Kat served as a Consultant-Director of Major Gifts at World Villages for Children, where she had the unique opportunity to travel the world and contribute to meaningful projects benefiting children from the most impoverished areas.
Her journey in the nonprofit sector also includes roles such as Lead Major Gift Officer at Health Care for the Homeless, Associate Director of Development at the National Office of the ALS Association, and initiation of her career with the American Cancer Society.
Motivated by a vision to make a global impact, Kat pursued an International Business degree, setting the foundation for her career dedicated to nonprofit work. Throughout her journey, she has remained a strong advocate for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) experience. Her support extends to educational learning webinars, and she recently conducted her first session through the AFP Maryland chapter this year. Kat continues to be a driving force in the nonprofit sector, combining her wealth of experience with an unwavering commitment to creating positive change on both local and global scales.
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Treasurer: Kristopher (Kris) Sharrar, CFRE
As Director of Philanthropy at Helping Up Mission, Kris joyfully connects HUM to Greater Baltimore and beyond by sharing the compelling stories of redemption, renewal, and restoration in the lives of the men and women HUM serves. Kris’ personal connection with HUM began when he hit his own “rock bottom” in March 2006 and entered HUM as a client in the Spiritual Recovery Program. Graduating in April 2007, he then joined the staff in the long (and growing) line of graduate staff members. Kris has been active with AFP Maryland chapter, including periods as National Philanthropy Day Committee member (2010-2016), and Board Member (At-Large) in 2021.
Kris earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from UCLA in December 1985 and a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from University of Southern California in December 1988, and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (2018-Present)
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Secretary: Elizabeth A. (Liz) Schuman, CFRE
Liz Schuman, CFRE, is Senior Donor Relations Manager at Hospice of the Chesapeake. Previously, she was Director of Development and Communications for CHANA, a domestic violence agency within The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore after leading development and marketing efforts within the larger organization. Earlier, she was a freelance writer and marketer in healthcare and higher education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland College Park and a master’s degree in publication design from the University of Baltimore. Previously, she co-chaired AFP Maryland’s program team. She’s a fan of fundraising gurus Vu Le, Tom Ahern, Penelope Burk, Gail Perry, and Amy Eisenstein. She’s also a fan of the Oxford comma.
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Immediate Past President: Kimberly Lennon Weiner
Kimberly Lennon Weiner is the Sr. Director of Development for the Ulman Foundation. Kimberly has 16 years of professional fundraising experience and has a broad range of development experience in major gifts, managing large fundraising events, direct mail appeals, major gift solicitation, grant writing and peer to peer fundraising efforts for Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), Best Buddies International, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Hopeworks. During her career Kimberly has raised more than $6.5 million for these nonprofit organizations.
Kimberly graduated from Salisbury University in 2007 with a B.A. in Communications and a Marketing minor. Kimberly has been actively involved with the AFP Maryland Chapter as a board member since 2018, past leader of the Annual Giving Roundtable group, co-chair of National Philanthropy Day, and for the past two years has served as President. Kimberly lives in Baltimore City with her husband Brian, daughter Evelyn, and rescue pit bull Roz.
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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.
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Communications Co-Chair: 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 working at the Johns Hopkins University Office of Research Administration and supports 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 mission of "feeding people, strengthen communities, and end hunger for more Marylanders". 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.
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Communications Co-Chair: Caitlin Christ
With over 15 years of dedicated non-profit experience, Caitlin Christ is a passionate advocate for driving positive change through impactful philanthropy. Currently serving as the Senior Director of Marketing and Development for Board of Child Care, Caitlin's expertise lies in the art of cultivating lasting connections, engaging donors and volunteers, and securing philanthropic funds in support of mission-driven non-profit organizations across the education, healthcare, and child welfare sectors.
Caitlin earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Shippensburg University in 2007 and a master’s degree in marketing from The Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School in 2012. Caitlin is an active member of the AFP-Maryland Chapter's Communications Committee, having been a member since 2021. Caitlin serves on the Board of Directors for Sykesville Baseball as the Social Media and Sponsorships Chair, as well as the Vice President of the PTA at Freedom Elementary School.
A Pennsylvania native, Caitlin currently resides in Carroll County (MD) with her husband, two children, and an impossibly large library of unread books.
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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 in 1999 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 running and cooking and lives in Baltimore County with her husband, 2 kids and 2 rescue dogs.
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Mentoring Chair: Caitlin Christ
With over 15 years of dedicated non-profit experience, Caitlin Christ is a passionate advocate for driving positive change through impactful philanthropy. Currently serving as the Senior Director of Marketing and Development for Board of Child Care, Caitlin's expertise lies in the art of cultivating lasting connections, engaging donors and volunteers, and securing philanthropic funds in support of mission-driven non-profit organizations across the education, healthcare, and child welfare sectors.
Caitlin earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Shippensburg University in 2007 and a master’s degree in marketing from The Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School in 2012. Caitlin is an active member of the AFP-Maryland Chapter's Communications Committee, having been a member since 2021. Caitlin serves on the Board of Directors for Sykesville Baseball as the Social Media and Sponsorships Chair, as well as the Vice President of the PTA at Freedom Elementary School.
A Pennsylvania native, Caitlin currently resides in Carroll County (MD) with her husband, two children, and an impossibly large library of unread books.
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Programs Chair: 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 earlier this year.
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.
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National Philanthropy Day Co - Chair: Breanna Hill
Breanna Hill currently works to create a stronger Maryland by empowering access to education, supporting health and wellness, and serving as a catalyst for community development in the Community Engagement Specialist role for SECU and the SECU MD Foundation. Breanna graduated from the Community College of Baltimore County with an Associate degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management in 2015. Breanna went on to work in hotel sales coordinating sports groups, tour groups, and weddings. Breanna developed a passion for coordinating meetings, events, and getting all the little details together. Breanna then went on to become the Director of Philanthropy at the St. Francis Neighborhood Center in West Baltimore spearheading all of their fundraising initiatives. Breanna joined the AFP Maryland Chapter in early 2019. Breanna had received a scholarship from AFP Maryland Chapter for their annual Fundraising Day conference and served on both AFP’s Program and DEI Committees.
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National Philanthropy Day Co - Chair: Orlisha Fox
Orlisha Fox has over a decade of fundraising experience working for various non-profit and government agencies specializing in workforce development and social services programs. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive with her Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Government and Policy, and two certifications in both Non-Profit Management and Professional Fundraising. Orlisha has extensive experience developing donor and partner relations programs, campaign management, strategic development initiatives for sustainable funding and retention analysis. Additionally, she has experience in public policy research, strategy and advocacy on local, state and federal levels. Orlisha previously served as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the AFP Maryland Chapter from 2019-2021. She is an advocate for D & I research, practice and implementation with a passion for equity and social justice. She is excited to return to the AFP Maryland Chapter board in 2024!
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Roundtables Chair: Vacant
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Sponsorship Chair: Burnham "Turk" Lewis
Turk has served in various leadership roles in philanthropy for more than two decades. He is the founder and president of For Better., a consulting firm that provides a broad array of services across nonprofit sectors. Much of his consulting work has involved governance, feasibility studies, campaign counsel and change management. Today, Turk is the Director of Development at The Treatment and Learning Centers in Rockville, MD. Founded in 1950, TLC serves nearly 2,000 individuals each year with a wide range of different abilities through several distinct industry-leading programs:
- The Katherine Thomas School
- Speech-Language Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Testing, Tutoring, and Counseling
- Early Intervention Services
- The Family Hearing Center
- Outcomes Adult Services
- Summer Programs
A lifelong learner, Turk’s career began in education serving as the chief advancement officer at three independent schools prior to becoming a consultant in 2015. He was a Barnes Fellow at the Klingenstein Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University studying governance, school administration and social justice reform. He joins the Maryland Chapter having spent ten years as an active member of the Palm Beach County Chapter of AFP.
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At Large Member: Jordan Foley
Jordan Foley commissioned into the Navy in 2012 from the US Naval Academy and served on submarines prior to becoming a Navy JAG. During law school, Jordan experienced the death by suicide of a friend and fellow veteran who fell into debt starting his own business. In 2020, Jordan founded Let's Chow to help veterans break into the culinary industry. Jordan finished culinary school in 2021 and uses a lifelong passion of cooking and mentorship to help others achieve the American Dream.
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At Large Member: Orlisha Fox
Orlisha Fox has over a decade of fundraising experience working for various non-profit and government agencies specializing in workforce development and social services programs. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive with her Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Government and Policy, and two certifications in both Non-Profit Management and Professional Fundraising. Orlisha has extensive experience developing donor and partner relations programs, campaign management, strategic development initiatives for sustainable funding and retention analysis. Additionally, she has experience in public policy research, strategy and advocacy on local, state and federal levels. Orlisha previously served as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the AFP Maryland Chapter from 2019-2021. She is an advocate for D & I research, practice and implementation with a passion for equity and social justice. She is excited to return to the AFP Maryland Chapter board in 2024!
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At Large Member: Jocabel Michel Reyes
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.
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At Large Member: Laura Urban
Laura Urban is Director of Development at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS) in Towson, a secular educational organization promoting interreligious understanding. She has been working in development and communication for nonprofits for nearly 30 years, both in Baltimore and Chicago. Prior to ICJS, she served as Vice President of Giving at the Maryland Food Bank. Her volunteer activities have included: AFP-MD Program Committee, member; Oakenshawe Improvement Association, president; Waverly Main Street, board member; and Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, elder. She has a B.S. in journalism from Northwestern University and lives with her husband in Baltimore City, where her four adult children will occasionally come visit.
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At Large Member: Breanna Hill
Breanna Hill currently works to create a stronger Maryland by empowering access to education, supporting health and wellness, and serving as a catalyst for community development in the Community Engagement Specialist role for SECU and the SECU MD Foundation. Breanna graduated from the Community College of Baltimore County with an Associate degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management in 2015. Breanna went on to work in hotel sales coordinating sports groups, tour groups, and weddings. Breanna developed a passion for coordinating meetings, events, and getting all the little details together. Breanna then went on to become the Director of Philanthropy at the St. Francis Neighborhood Center in West Baltimore spearheading all of their fundraising initiatives. Breanna joined the AFP Maryland Chapter in early 2019. Breanna had received a scholarship from AFP Maryland Chapter for their annual Fundraising Day conference and served on both AFP’s Program and DEI Committees.
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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.
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