UNA Annual Conference Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Donna Murray-Brown
Keynote: Beyond Empowerment: Embracing Our Power, Impacting Our Communities
Donna Murray-Brown is the inaugural Vice President of Strategy and Development of the National Council of Nonprofits. In her new role, Donna will lead the growth of NCN's core resources through practical and impactful strategic initiatives that integrate the knowledge, policy, and advocacy competencies and support the network in advancing those strategic initiatives.
Donna can trace her introduction to the nonprofit sector twenty-five years ago while serving on the United Way for Southeastern Michigan's advisory board. After transitioning from a 20+ year banking career serving in various senior management roles, including the vice president and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) director for Charter One Bank, she officially began her career in the nonprofit sector in 2009. Initially, she led the work of the Metro Detroit Partnership Office for Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA), a statewide membership organization serving nonprofits by providing a range of services, including advocacy, training, technology services, and civic engagement initiatives.
In 2013, Donna was named president and CEO of the MNA. During her tenure at MNA, she is credited for being a bold and inclusive leader who created space for groundbreaking nonprofit initiatives, including a Census 2020 Michigan complete count initiative, COVID-19 mitigation programs and strategies for nonprofits, and promoting strategies to support nonprofit leaders of color.
Twice honored as a NonProfit Times Power and Influence Top 50 leader in the nonprofit sector, Murray-Brown was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business in 2021 as one of the Most Influential Women in Michigan. She was also recognized as a 2024 Social Impact Woman to Watch by Nonprofit HR. She serves on the Board of Trustees for Candid, the McGregor Fund, and Housing Partnership, Inc., and as part of the Leadership Council for the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University.
She is a first-generation college graduate earning a master's degree in Community Development from the University of Detroit Mercy and a BS in Business Administration from Central State University. She also holds certifications in corporate community affairs from Boston College and strategic perspectives in nonprofit management from Harvard Business School.
Donna is a mother to three adult children and loves to travel and be with family and friends. She resides joyfully with her husband, Stan, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Donna Murray-Brown
Vice President of Strategy
and Development
National Council of Nonprofits
Dr. Timothy Shriver
Dr. Timothy Shriver is a University of Utah Impact Scholar at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, the Chairman of Special Olympics International, founder and current CEO of UNITE, and co-creator of the Dignity Index – a tool designed to ease divisions, prevent violence, and solve problems.
Dr. Shriver began his career as an educator and subsequently co-founded the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), the leading school reform organization in the field of social and emotional learning. Shriver earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University, a Master's degree from Catholic University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Connecticut. He has produced 6 films, is the author of the New York Times bestseller Fully Alive – Discovering What Matters Most, and co-editor of The Call to Unite: Voices of Hope and Awakening.
Dr. Shriver’s experience in promoting social and emotional learning and challenging societal divides offers valuable insights for empowering communities to embrace diversity and take bold action. Dr. Shriver brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and inspiration to the conference. Learn more.
Dr. Timothy Shriver
University of Utah Impact Scholar
Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
Chairman
Special Olympics International
Founder and CEO
UNITE
Co-Creator
Dignity Index
Breakout Session Speakers
Alexx Goeller
Session: Improve Your Organization’s Strategic Planning with Futures Thinking Tools
With over a decade in non-profit/public sector experience, Alexx Goeller, Director of Philanthropy, is committed to fostering creativity, inclusivity, and equitable access to our museum for all youth in the community. In her current role, she creates engaging events, outreach programs, and exhibits while appropriately highlighting and collaborating with donor organizations.
Alexx’s background includes contributions to healthcare nonprofits, service in the United States Peace Corps, several years of working with the refugee population here in Utah and formerly overseeing a local corporate philanthropy program. She earned a BA in International Business and an MA in Nonprofit Management and Global Community Leadership from Westminster University. Beyond her professional commitments, Alexx volunteers in refugee resettlement, female empowerment, and animal welfare. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor adventures with her husband, Leo, and their dog, Betty White.
Alexx Goeller
Director of Philanthropy
Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
Allison Jones
Allison Jones, M.Ed., brings over two decades of grant writing experience as both an employee and freelancer. She is the CEO of Spark the Fire Classes, LLC, providing top-rated, hands-on grant writing training. Vetted and approved by GPCI, her courses exceed GPA and CFRE standards. Allison leverages her experience as a grant reviewer for foundations and government entities to enrich her trainings. She is a columnist for Candid.org and an Adjunct Professor of Grant Writing at several colleges.
Allison Jones
CEO & Founder
Spark the Fire Classes, LLC
Amberlie Phillips
Amberlie brings over twenty years of nonprofit experience to the Pathway team and is an expert in fundraising strategy, campaigns of all types and sizes, and development program implementation. She believes that authentic connection and creativity are the keys to fundraising abundance.
Amberlie Phillips
Partner
Pathway Group
Bailey Rivera-Wymes
Bailey works for the Center for Economic Opportunity & Belonging as the Special Project Manager. She is the author of the “We Are Utah: A Toolkit for Building Belonging in the Workplace” and co-leads the Bonding & Bridging: Young Professionals Networking Socials. As a second-gen Mexican American, Bailey is dedicated to uplifting community voices and wisdom. She is a graduate of Westminster University where she pursued a degree in History with a dedicated focus on social movements and revolutions. In her spare time, Bailey is out with her dogs (Ziva and Ziggy) or at home reading.
Bailey Rivera-Wymes
Special Project Manager
The Center for Economic Opportunity & Belonging
Br33 Jon3s (Bree Jones)
Br33 is the Founder and Chair of Spid3rThink (spider-think). A tech-focused conglomerate, Spid3rThink is the embodiment of a business theory Br33 developed several years ago to create a more financially sustainable model. Operating as an ecosystem of interconnected companies, some of Spid3rThink's subsidiaries include: Gam3r Studios (gamer studios), which develops software for video games; and S3nti3nt (sentient), aka "Swiss Apps IT", which specializes in AI development and ethical theory.
Br33 has built much of her career around highly confidential projects in proprietary technology development and consultation, particularly in AI and machine learning. Now, as Spid3rThink shifts towards the public sector, the company is poised for exponential growth with the upcoming launch of three other consumer-facing ventures, including C3ntric (centric), a social platform and management system; Hardw3ar (hardwear), a manufacturer of wearable technology and robotics; and A3R0 (aero), an aerospace company focused on developing 4-6 seater drones as personal vehicles and advancing the green hydrogen energy infrastructure.
In addition to her for-profit ventures, Br33 is preparing to launch two non-profit foundations as well. These organizations will prioritize sustainable, blue-zone food norms and the optimization of the mental healthcare infrastructure, respectively -- both of which will incorporate AI technology. Br33 is excited to join this panel to discuss practical ways we can all optimize operations with AI.
Br33 Jon3s
(Bree Jones)
Founder and Chair
Spid3rThink
Brent Andrewsen
Brent serves as a trusted advisor to his clients, both individuals and organizations, in all aspects of charitable planning, wealth management, and business planning. His practice focuses on nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, assisting them with their board governance, qualification and maintenance of exempt status, and legal audits when necessary.
Brent Andrewsen
Partner
Holland & Hart LLP
Bruno Borge
Bruno is the Founder & CEO of Good Ask, a platform that uses the power of networks to raise unrestricted funds for nonprofit organizations. Before Good Ask, Bruno worked as VP of Philanthropy at The Miami Foundation, leading Give Miami Day and raising $32 million to support over 1,000 local nonprofits. He also worked as CEO of TECHO and Global Director of Ashoka. He holds a Master’s in Organization Development from Johns Hopkins University and a certificate in nonprofit management from Harvard.
Bruno Borge
CEO
Good Ask
Dan Prater
Dan Prater is the Senior Manager of Nonprofit/Education/Public sectors at Forvis Mazars, a global professional services firm. Dan has more than 25 years of experience in the sector, as a leader, educator, and consultant. He was the founder and director of the Drury University (Missouri) Center for Nonprofit Leadership and developed the university's Master of Nonprofit Leadership degree program. Dan is an in-demand conference speaker and writer, having been published more than 50 times.
Dan Prater
Senior Manager
Forvis Mazars
Dana Levy
Zach Smith and Dana Levy have been employing somatic-based learning with clients to help them be better leaders, engage and embrace their trauma and illness, and just learn how to be better humans for over 20 years. As Executive Director of Survivor Wellness, Dana has grown an organization that takes a whole-person approach to wellness for cancer survivors.
Dana Levy
Executive Director
Survivor Wellness
Guinnevere Shuster
Author and nonprofit professional with over a decade of experience, Guinnevere Shuster excels in visual storytelling, using photography and social media to amplify a nonprofit's voice. Time Magazine, The Huffington Post, The Daily Mail, Amy Poehler's Smart Girls, and Bark Post have featured her content. She has collaborated with brands like Purina, Canon, and Petfinder.com through her influencer work.
Guinnevere Shuster
Director of Marketing & Communications
Humane Society of Utah
Jenna Williams
Jenna started her career in the Maryland State House where she helped shape legislation related to paid family and medical leave, childcare, and workplace justice. She then worked at Third Way, a public policy think tank in Washington, DC before eventually making her way to Utah where she served as a Policy AmeriCorps VISTA at Housing Connect and then as a Public Policy Fellow for YWCA Utah. Jenna is passionate about anti-poverty policy that advances equitable access to opportunity for all children and families. Jenna is a proud graduate of the Community College of Baltimore County and the University of Maryland.
Jenna Williams
Policy Analyst
Voices for Utah Children
Jessica Hercules
Jessica Hercules is the Community Engagement Director at the English Skills Learning Center, where she has been dedicated to adult education and English language teaching for over 15 years. In her role, Jessica has also led volunteer recruitment and support for the past decade, fostering a vibrant community of committed educators and learners.With a Master of Second Language Teaching from Utah State University, Jessica brings both academic expertise and practical experience to her work.
Jessica Hercules
Community Engagement Director
English Skills Learning Center
Jillian Olmsted
Jillian Olmsted's journey with The INN Between is deeply rooted in personal experiences and a profound understanding of its mission. As a mother of two and a military wife of over 21 years, she developed a heartfelt appreciation for the organization's work after witnessing her own family's battles with cancer. In a single year, her mother, father, and stepfather all faced this relentless disease. Both her parents required hospice care before their passing, with her father also facing unemployment and lacking insurance coverage while in need of life-saving surgery. Jillian stepped up as his caregiver while he received charity care at Huntsman Cancer Hospital, ultimately losing him to the illness.
Her connection to The INN Between began as a volunteer, but her dedication and expertise quickly led to her role as the Events and Outreach Coordinator. Over time, she transitioned into the position of Operations and Human Resources Director, taking on multifaceted responsibilities including facility management, event coordination, IT management, and organizational operations. Her commitment to professional growth and development has been evident, as she earned a Professional Management Certificate from the University of Utah and completed all nine organizational credentials from the Utah Nonprofits Association during her tenure with The INN Between.
Jillian Olmsted
Executive Director
The INN Between
Joelle Kanshepolsky
Joelle is a highly successful consultant, change-maker, fundraiser, and executive leader with 25 years of professional nonprofit experience. She is skilled in interim leadership and executive search, fundraising, strategy development; governance, and board relations.
Joelle Kanshepolsky
Partner
Pathway Group
John Nash
John provides clients with practical solutions involving tax-exempt organization, formation, and operation. He represents nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations including charities, private foundations, and trade associations, assisting them with the qualification and maintenance of exempt status and in legal audits when necessary. Additionally, John's practice includes federal tax controversy and litigation, charitable planning for individuals and organizations, and estate planning.
John Nash
Associate
Holland & Hart LLP
Karina Lugo Villalba
Mother, Woman of Color, Social Worker, Community Worker and Native to Chihuahua, Mexico. Karina's heritage has always been the heart and soul driving her professional pursuits. An advocate and voice for marginalized youth and their families, she is consistently pushing the boundaries in efforts to decolonize social work practices. She takes an equity focused approach to bringing information advocacy and access to resources to all. Karina loves working for the neighborhood she calls home - Rose Park - building bridges, connecting with community members, tutoring youth, and empowering families. When she isn't being a voice for those who need it, you can find her at Centro Civico Mexicano with others who practice Danza Mexica in honor of her ancestors but also as a means to connect with others who are seeking spirituality. Karina honors Tonantzin (Mother Earth) through gardening. She established a school community garden with children and their families in hopes to inspire pride in their heritage through agricultural practices. Karina believes growing native plants with people from culturally diverse traditions connects children to generational heritage.
Karina Lugo Villalba
Volunteer Program Director
Wasatch Community Gardens
Kathleen Weron
Kathleen D. Weron has an extensive employment law practice with a focus on occupational safety and health, labor law, employment advice and counsel and employment litigation. She regularly advises small and large employers to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.
Ms. Weron has represented employers before the EEOC, OSHA/UOSH, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Utah Labor Commission. She has successfully litigated issues involving whistleblower matters, sexual harassment, all Title VII protected classes, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, and the FLSA.
Ms. Weron offers an array of employment services to her clients to promote best practices and productive work environments, including providing compliance advice and conducting privileged audits. She designs, modifies and implements customized employee handbooks, workplace policies, and agreements regarding confidentiality, noncompetition, nonsolicitation, and inventions assignments. Kathleen also drafts, reviews, and negotiates executive compensation packages and severance agreements.
Ms. Weron practices with the international employment law firm, Ogletree Deakins and has been recognized in Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America and distinguished as Lawyer of the Year in 2016, 2017 and 2023 in both Employment Law Management and Employment Law Litigation.
Kathleen Weron
Shareholder
Ogletree Deakins
Kellie Mieremet
Kellie Mieremet is the Community Engagement Manager for The INN Between. She has a background in marketing, higher education, service-learning, and volunteer management. Kellie also comes with a deep sense of passion and dedication for the community and those that she serves. Before coming to The INN Between, she was the Volunteer & Engagement Director for the Family Support Center, she served a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA for the American Red Cross, Disaster Services as their Volunteer Coordinator. Prior to that she worked in higher education managing a service-learning program and then managed a federal grant focused on college access.
In 2015 she received her Master of Arts in Community Leadership (MACL) from Westminster College where she focused on how to locally support the profession of volunteer management. Kellie has now taught the Working with Volunteers course for the MACL program and most recently, taught the Utah Nonprofits Association’s Credential in Volunteer Management as the subject matter expert. In 2016, she sat for and earned the Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) credential. Kellie is the co-founder of Utah’s Professional Association for Volunteer Engagement (UPAVE), a community of practice designed to support the profession of volunteer management and the co-founder of Coffee with Coordinators in 2014, under the name Volunteer Managers of Utah.
Kellie Mieremet
Community Engagement Manager
The INN Between
Lara Jones
For 40 years, Lara Jones has been helping people tell their stories. Her résumé includes stints as a teenage disc jockey, a business reporter, a public radio host, and the first civilian public relations director for the Salt Lake City Police Department. In 2010 she was part of a small group of communications professionals invited to draft language for The Utah Compact, a document of universal values on which to base immigration reform and discussions.
Lara Jones
Executive Producer/Host
KRCL 90.9fm
Lindsey Henderson
Lindsey Henderson serves as the Policy Director, Math for ExcelinEd. Lindsey most recently worked at the Utah State Board of Education as the Secondary Mathematics Specialist and helped to drive mathematics innovations across the state of Utah. Her work in this role included leading the first ever Data Science Pilot, the development and implementation of Utah’s PK-12 Mathematics Framework and engaging stakeholders in defining the mathematics for everyone that builds empowerment through engaged citizenship.
Lindsey’s leadership in mathematics extends beyond Utah to several advisory boards and committees including The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, the Conference Board of Mathematical Sciences, and she was honored to be recognized for her outstanding strengths in Educational Leadership by The Women Tech Council’s Women Tech Awards. Lindsey obtained her Bachelors in Mathematics from the University of Utah and has never stopped advocating for mathematical experiences where students can experience mathematical rigor along with joy, beauty, and wonder. Lindsey calls Salt Lake City home along with her wife, two children and her clowder of kitties.
Lindsey Henderson
Policy Director, Math
ExcelinEd
Maddie Judge
Maddie moved into the Director of Programs role in 2022 where her primary role is to support cross-collaboration, ensure mission-driven programming, and facilitate strategic growth. Previously, she served as an AmeriCorps Youth Educator, Youth Education Manager, and Youth & School Garden Program Director at WCG. Maddie has a degree in Environmental Studies & Sustainability and Professional Writing from Michigan State University, where she also gained a love for growing sustainably and building a sense of belonging around food. Working on farms around Michigan and Maine before moving to Utah gave her a unique insight into food systems that are rooted in shared values and serve as assets to their communities. In her free time, Maddie enjoys feeding friends and family, going on dog playdates, and exploring Utah's landscapes.
Maddie Judge
Director of Programs
Wasatch Community Gardens
Martín C. Muñoz
Martín joined the organization in 2020. Martín has over twenty years of experience as a project and team manager in electrical and facilities maintenance in private and government sectors. A proud Latino of Mexican descent, he was born and raised in Utah and always loved history and government. He attended the University of Utah, where he earned his BA in history and masters in public administration. He is incredibly passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion work. He is grateful for the opportunity to join Voices for Utah Children and work for policies that will enhance opportunities for all kids.
Martín C. Muñoz
Director
KIDS COUNT
Michael Babcock
Michael Babcock is an experienced leader with 25 years' experience in non-profit healthcare. Work history includes coordinating international outreach clinics, facilitating performance improvement projects, leading strategic planning teams, developing brand identity and marketing campaigns, conducting extensive media interviews and successfully managing high-profile crises. Accomplished speaker, trainer and adjunct instructor at the University of Utah College of Social Work and Department of Communication.
Michael Babcock
Senior Regional Director, Marketing & Communications
Shriners Children's
Peggy Cain
Peggy Cain, Ph.D., is Professor and Program Director for the Master of Arts in Community and Organizational Leadership at Westminster University. She teaches classes in futures thinking, leadership, adult learning, and indigenous knowledges and lifeways.
Peggy Cain
Professor and Graduate Program Director
Westminster University
Sumiko Martinez
Sumiko Martinez is the founder and principal consultant at Rhetorica Consulting, specializing in rigorous social impact research, strategy, communications, and learning consulting for nonprofits. She has worked in nonprofits and the public sector for 18+ years, most recently as Director of the Autism After 21 Utah Project with Madison House Autism Foundation. She earned a BA in English from Westminster College and a MS and PhD in Communication from the University of Utah.
Sumiko Martinez
Founder and Principal Consultant
Rhetorica Consulting
Sunny Washington
Sunny has spent over 20 years working and building tech companies like Instructure and Because Learning (formerly Ardusat). In 2021, following the sale of her company, she co-founded Utah Tech Leads, a trade association and political action committee (PAC) aimed at engaging Utah tech companies in the policy process. Today Sunny is the co-founder and CEO of OrcaPanda (formerly Seer) a venture focused on lowering the barrier to workflow automation for organizations. Their mission is to have robots do robot work and let humans do what humans do best. Alongside her entrepreneurial pursuits, Sunny actively contributes to the community as a board member of Equality Utah and a Trustee at Salt Lake Community College.
Sunny Washington
Cofounder
OrcaPanda
Zach Smith
Zach Smith and Dana Levy have been employing somatic-based learning with clients to help them be better leaders, engage and embrace their trauma and illness, and just learn how to be better humans for over 20 years. When not backcountry skiing or biking, Zach collaborates with leaders and organizations to help them be their best versions of themselves.
Zach Smith
Organizational Alchemist
Kizuki, LLC
Ze Min Xiao
Ms. Xiao is the President and CEO of the Center for Economic Opportunity
and Belonging (Center). The Center envisions a Utah in which all residents experience a sense of belonging and equal opportunity so they can contribute their best selves to the growth and enhancement of the
economic, social, and political life of the state. The Center achieves this
vision by identifying and promoting actionable solutions to opportunity gaps through engagement with communities and by catalyzing private,
philanthropic, and public partnerships. The Center is rooted in the belief that transformational change requires individuals closest to the problem to
become active participants in identifying, implementing, and evaluating
effective solutions.
Before founding the Center, Ms. Xiao had a 13-year career with Salt Lake
County. As the director of the Mayor’s Office for New Americans, she guided immigrant and refugee integration strategies on the local, state, national and international levels. Under her leadership, Salt Lake County became a national leader in the Welcoming and Belongings movement. It was awarded the distinction as the first county in the nation to achieve Welcoming Certification.
Ms. Xiao’s work has been featured in national and international publications. She is a frequent speaker on the topics of immigration integration, social cohesion, and belonging.
Ms. Xiao is a graduate of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Community Leadership Fellowship (2022) and an alumni of the Marshall Memorial Fellowship (2023). Ms. Xiao received her Master of Arts in Community Leadership.
Ze Min Xiao
President and CEO
The Center for Economic Opportunity & Belonging
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