Lynne Alexander, CPA, is a Senior Manager in Outsourced Accounting and Advisory Services at GRF CPAs & Advisors, where she partners with nonprofit and mission-driven organizations to strengthen financial operations, improve decision-making, and maximize organizational impact. With more than 18 years of experience spanning nonprofit finance, strategic planning, financial reporting, audit readiness and advisory services, Lynne has worked with international organizations ranging from emerging startups to established organizations.

Originally from South Africa and now based in Maryland, Lynne is passionate about helping organizations turn financial information into meaningful action. She enjoys identifying opportunities to improve processes, leverage emerging technologies, and build scalable financial systems that allow organizations to operate more effectively and focus on their mission.

Lynne serves on the Finance and Investment Committee of Women First International Fund, a global nonprofit that strengthens grassroots, women-led organizations in East Africa and India. She is also a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountant.

Megan Allen is CEO of the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON), a nonprofit organization working to develop and promote an effective and vibrant charitable community throughout New York State. With more than 3,000 members, NYCON empowers nonprofits through education, capacity building support, advocacy and more. Megan also serves as CEO of Board Strong, Inc., a NYCON affiliate that helps nonprofit organizations achieve the highest standards of board leadership, governance and oversight.

Prior to joining NYCON and BoardStrong in 2022, Megan founded and led a grant-writing service at Capital Region BOCES that helped nonprofits, school districts, BOCES and municipalities statewide realize more than $105 million in funding. In the past 20 years Megan has also worked in communications and development for nonprofit organizations and led two non-profit boards. Today she is a board member for the Capital District Women’s Employment & Resource Center.

Since joining NYCON in 2022, Megan has worked to strengthen the organization’s day-to-day operations and expand on its reputation as a leader in the nonprofit sector. Following a Member Outreach Tour that saw Megan meeting with members from across the state in 2022, she has focused in 2023 on implementing the feedback received to expand services. Including, she has also built on NYCON’s previous advocacy efforts, releasing the first annual State of the Sector report in early 2023. Diversifying NYCON’s funding sources, including strengthening existing funder relationships while building new ones has also been a focus. “I remain thrilled to be at NYCON, working with a wonderful staff and board to help support all of the amazing nonprofit organizations in New York State. I can’t wait to see what the year(s) ahead bring!”

Mr. Andrew is President and CEO of Council Services Plus (CS Plus), an insurance brokerage headquartered in New York State. Mr. Andrew has more than 25 years of experience in the insurance industry and currently holds licenses for Life, Health, Property and Casualty. He is also a Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA) designation holder.
He is a frequent speaker on issues such as employee benefits and risk management. He has contributed to, and been quoted on, nonprofit insurance issues in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, the Nonprofit Risk Management Center's e-newsletter, and Guidestar's e-newsletter. In addition, Peter has provided trainings to New York State Society of CPAs, The National Council of Nonprofits and the NYS Attorney General's Charites Bureau.
Peter previously served on the Board of Directors of Good Causes, a nonprofit that supports and promotes affordable and comprehensive insurance for New York Nonprofits. Previously, served as President of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center based in Leesburg, VA, is a past President of the Northeastern New York Chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters {NAHU) and served on the board of directors of the NYS Association of Health Underwriters (NYSAHU).

Connection. Collaboration, Community. These are the hallmarks that have guided the work Mary Lou Carolan has done for non-profit organizations and public libraries for three decades. Implementing a community-centered approach, Mary Lou utilizes needs assessments, focus groups, strategic planning, and collaborative partnerships to strengthen support and build awareness and opportunities for the organizations she works with.
Helping chart new courses, implement innovative new programs and partnerships, and build strong infrastructure to support internal and external operations is key. Mary Lou works to encourage and inspire organizations to return to their heart center, their purpose, and to engage staff, boards, and community stakeholders to build sustainable organizations together.

Dr. Kesha Carter is the Director of Culture, Belonging, and Engagement at the Gates Chili Central School District, where she leads system-wide efforts to foster inclusive, equitable environments for students, staff, and families. In this role, she partners with school leaders, community stakeholders, and district departments to implement strategies that promote belonging, cultural responsiveness, and organizational accountability.

With over 18 years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion, Kesha is a nationally recognized strategist and facilitator. She has led hundreds of workshops and trainings focused on DEI, antiracism, and inclusive leadership across corporate, nonprofit, and educational sectors. Prior to joining Gates Chili, she served as Chief Diversity Officer at Coordinated Care Services, Inc. (CCSI), where she developed and operationalized the organization’s DEI framework and anti-racism strategy. Her earlier leadership roles at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and Paychex focused on developing inclusive policies, cultivating diverse talent pipelines, and embedding equity into workforce practices.

Dr. Carter holds several professional certifications, including Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), Six Sigma Green Belt, and Professional in Human Resources (PHR). She was honored as one of the national “Top 50 Women We Admire” in 2024 and named DEI Executive of the Year by HireQuotient in 2023, a recognition celebrated with a feature on the Nasdaq Tower in Times Square.

Dr. Carter actively serves on the boards of Willow Domestic Violence Center, The Center for Youth, and Mission Fulfilled 2030 and is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She earned her B.S. and M.S. from Keuka College and her Doctorate in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher University, where she deepened her research and impact in inclusive organizational change.

Rooted in purpose and guided by impact, Dr. Carter is committed to shaping inclusive systems that work better for everyone.

Rachel DeMatteo is the Director and Market Leader for Your Part-Time Controller, LLC’s New York office. With 18 years of experience working with nonprofits, she has served across all sectors and is the leader of YPTC’s foundations specialization. Rachel is a CPA and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Pittsburgh, where she graduated summa cum laude.
Rachel is an active member of the NYSSCPAs’s Not-for-Profit Organizations committee and serves as Treasurer for Colt Coeur Theater Company.

Carla Goldstein, JD, is president and chief executive officer of Omega Institute, the nation’s premier holistic learning center, offering innovative educational experiences that provide an integrated approach to personal and social change. She is also the cofounder of the Omega Women's Leadership Center, a hub for convening, inspiring, and training women to Do Power Differently®. Prior to joining Omega, Carla worked extensively in city and state government and the nonprofit sector in public interest advocacy. In 2021, Carla was the recipient of the Helen Gurley Brown Genius Grant in recognition of her lifelong commitment to women’s leadership, and public interest advocacy.

Carla’s career highlights include working in public policy, and women's health. Carla worked for the speaker of the New York City Council, where she helped craft and advocate for state and federal legislative agendas. While in law school at the State University of New York at Buffalo, she was cofounder and co-editor-in-chief of the state’s first women’s law journal, Circles: The Buffalo Women’s Journal of Law and Social Policy. Carla was an adjunct professor at CUNY Queens College for eight years where she taught about the law and social justice.

Today, she teaches emerging and established leaders how to apply holistic principles at work, at home, and in community. Additionally, Carla serves in an advisory capacity to several organizations on the cutting edge of new ways of thinking about social and cultural transformation, including: Women Without Borders, Ctznwell, Connected Women Leaders, Feminist.com, and Living Room Conversations.

David Howson is charged with leading the Arts Administration Program at Skidmore College. Launched in 2011, the academic program combines artistic sensibility with business acumen by examining the foundations of non-profit arts organizations. He teaches courses in arts management, philanthropy, non-profit leadership, engages guest-lecturers and community arts leaders, and advises students on curriculum, internship and career matters. David’s research focuses on non-profit arts organizations in the Adirondack region.

Before joining the faculty of Skidmore in 2010, David was the interim executive director of the Modlin Center for the Arts at the University of Richmond, a multi-venue performing arts complex, where he had been the associate director and a faculty member in the theatre department since 2004. While at Richmond, David was appointed a President’s College Fellow and led the inaugral cohort of the Sophomore Scholars-in-Residence. Prior to joining the faculty of Richmond, David was associate managing director at Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, Conn. Previously, he worked at the University of Richmond as a development officer and as assistant registrar for academic history and compliance.

David is the secretary and trustee of the Emma Willard School, an independent boarding and day school for girls in Troy, N.Y. He also serves on the board of the Charles R. Wood Foundation, a private philanthropic foundation that supports arts, children’s health and welfare, education, and community enrichment initiatives primarily in New York’s Capital Region and Adirondacks. David recently joined the board of the Essex County Fair.

Previously, David served as a trustee of The Hyde Collection Art Museum and Historic House for 11 years (2 years as chair). In the Adirondacks, he was a six-year trustee and president of the Depot Theatre in Westport, N.Y., on Lake Champlain, successfully ushering the 45 year old organization through a leadership turnaround and financial recovery. He has also served on the boards of Saratoga Arts and Saratoga Shakespeare Company in Saratoga Springs.

David is a graduate of Leadership Saratoga and regularly speaks and advises organizations on non-profit governance, leadership and accessibility.

In 2024, David was honored with the Skidmore College President’s Award for Leadership and Service.

John T. Kuznia is Truman Solutions’ owner and principal consultant. He has over 35 years experience in business administration as a CFO and HR Director, with the last 20 years working primarily in the nonprofit sector. As a consultant, he has assisted dozens of companies by filling interim leadership roles, managing transformative projects, or providing ongoing support of the organization’s financial or human resources functions. He earned his CPA while working for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Albany, and is certified as a Sr. Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and a SHRM-SCP.
John also taught as an adjunct instructor in Human Resource Management at the Sage Graduate School, and as a guest lecturer at UAlbany. He is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Capital Region Human Resource Association. He also serves as the President of the Board of Directors of CAPTAIN/CHS, a local human services agency.

Allen L. Fetterman, CPA, MBA lectures extensively on not-for-profit accounting, auditing, federal single audits, tax-exempt issues and governance. He speaks at conferences, seminars and webcasts throughout the country. Allen was an assistant professor of accounting at a local college and a guest lecturer at Yale University and New York University. He was a member of the Faculty Bank of the Foundation for Accounting Education (FAE). He is a past recipient of both the AICPA's and the FAE's Outstanding Discussion Leader Award. He has written articles published in national accounting periodicals in the United States and Israel on accounting and taxes for not-for-profit entities.

Allen served on the American Institute of CPAs Not-for-Profit Organizations Committee, Not-for-Profit Audit and Accounting Guide Task Force and Joint Trial Board. He chaired the New York State Society of CPAs Not-for-Profit Organizations, Professional Ethics, Audit, and Quality Controls Committees and the AICPA Joint Trial Board. He also served as Vice-President of the New York State Society of CPAs and as a Trustee of the Foundation for Accounting Education.

Allen retired in 2003 from Loeb & Troper, where he spent thirty-six years serving not-for-profit entities as an auditor and consultant, the last twenty-five years as a partner. In addition to his client responsibilities, he was the partner in charge of the firm’s quality controls and technical resources.

Allen received his BBA in Accounting from The City College of New York in 1968 and his MBA in Accounting from the Bernard M. Baruch College in 1972. He was elected to Beta Gamma Sigma, the national honorary society in business. He received his CPA certificate in 1973 and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Allen has served on the governing boards of not-for-profit organizations, including positions as President, Treasurer and Chair of the Audit Committee and the Finance Committee. Allen and Mimi, his wife of 53 years, live in West Nyack, New York. They have two sons and four grandchildren.

Eric Laughlin has spent over 15 years serving both the nonprofit sector and the insurance industry. Born with a deep sense of compassion and a drive for excellence, Eric's journey has been marked by his unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Eric's early years were shaped by a strong sense of community and a desire to lend a helping hand to those in need. As he grew older, he realized that combining his passion for service with a career in insurance could provide him with the means to protect and empower individuals and organizations. Eric's professional journey began with the pursuit of knowledge and expertise. He obtained his Life, Accident, and Health Insurance licenses (LAH), providing him with a strong foundation in the insurance field and later obtained his Property and Casualty Insurance (P&C) license. His thirst for knowledge didn't stop there, as in 2015, he achieved the Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA) designation, a testament to his dedication to staying at the forefront of industry best practices. However, it was Eric's profound commitment to the nonprofit sector that truly set him apart. For more than 15 years, he has dedicated his time and skills to nonprofit organizations, helping them navigate the complexities of insurance and risk management. His guidance has enabled numerous nonprofits to fulfill their missions and serve their communities effectively, even in challenging times. He understands the unique needs and challenges faced by nonprofits and is passionate about ensuring they have the protection and support required to thrive.

Vincent Marrone has worked in public policy, politics, community organizing and advocacy since 1986. Mr. Marrone was a Senior Legislative Assistant to the New York State Assembly Committee on Health for six years. His responsibilities included HIV/AIDS, substance use, legal drugs, tobacco and life and law issues. From 1993 through 1995, he was the Director of Government Relations and Strategic Planning for the AIDS Institute of the New York State Department of Health. At the Institute, he directed education and advocacy around AIDS policy and funding issues in Washington, D.C. and Albany. From 1996-1998, Mr. Marrone was the Director of Public Policy for the Lindesmith Center, a drug policy think tank at George Soros’s Open Society Institute. He also worked for the Research and Policy Reform Center, Inc. (RPR), a 501(c)(4) established by Mr. Soros to advocate on public policy issues. At RPR, Mr. Marrone worked with advocates, lobbyists and elected officials on matters pending in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and other locations around the country. From 1998-2000, Mr. Marrone was Director of Government Relations at The After-School Corporation, a public foundation supported by the Open Society Institute to expand the quantity and quality of after-school programs in New York State. In 2001, Mr. Marrone founded Public Strategies, LLC, which serves a variety of non-profit, foundation, and corporate clients with services that include strategic planning, government relations, lobbying, media relations and advocacy skills building. Mr. Marrone is a graduate of Cornell University, and grew up in Syracuse, New York. He now resides in Cross River, New York, with his wife and son.

Trenia Parham is an executive coach, workplace culture consultant, and speaker. She helps mission-driven organizations redesign how work actually happens by clarifying roles, decision rights, communication norms, and leadership practices, so teams can build capacity instead of draining it.

With 25 years of experience in nonprofits and the public sector, Trenia has coached and served as a consultant to leaders at multiple levels, while also drawing from her own experience as a nonprofit leader and social worker. She has extensive experience leading organizational strategy, managing complex programs, and guiding institutions through change. She specializes in supporting women leaders who are new nonprofit executive directors and senior leaders. A defining moment in her leadership came when her boss was fired and two other directors quit on the same day. And as a director, she was tasked with reorganizing an entire department and reworking its strategic plan.

Trenia is the creator of How to Keep Great People, a framework for mission-driven organizations that want to create loyalty and longevity among staff and teams, She is also a co-host of the Not 4 Prophets podcast.

She has spoken for and worked with organizations including Fox, National Urban Fellows , and the Bryn Mawr Alumni Association. She’s also been featured on various nonprofit and public sector podcasts. Whether through workshops, executive coaching, or keynotes, Trenia’s work is rooted in helping leaders and organizations create more human, effective, and sustainable ways to lead and work. Outside of her professional work, she is committed to practical spirituality, personal growth, and helping women live and lead without losing themselves in the process.

Rebecca Reynolds is a Partner in the Audit Department at RBT CPAs, LLP where she has been a valued member since 2014. She holds both a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and an MBA from Mount Saint Mary College and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in New York State.

A partner at RBT since 2023, Rebecca brings demonstrated expertise in accounting, auditing, and advisory services, Rebecca has developed an expertise across a range industries, including healthcare, not-for-profits, manufacturing, construction, financial services and insurance, and professional services. She specializes in audit planning and management, accounting research and compliance, complex accounting transactions, internal control assessments, inventory observations and costing, and delivering board-level financial presentations. Additionally, Rebecca provides consulting services to clients, helping them enhance operational efficiencies and financial best practices. She is also an experienced trainer, conducting both internal CPE sessions and training sessions tailored to clients’ specific needs.

Rebecca has played an instrumental role in growing the non-profit line of business at RBT, increasing revenue from $2 million to over $4 million. She was also recently tasked with overseeing the implementation of a new cloud-based audit software, successfully converting several hundred audit engagements, which enhanced the firm's efficiency and technological capabilities.

Rebecca is an active member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA), where she serves on the Not-for-Profit Committee, and she is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

A dedicated community leader, Rebecca currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, where she chairs both the Audit and Finance Committees. She is also a Board Member and Chair-Elect of the SUNY Orange Foundation, where she chairs the Finance Committee. Previously, she contributed to the United Way of Dutchess-Orange Region as volunteer grant reviewer and a member of the Emerging Leaders United Committee and various event planning committees.

Rebecca is an Ulster County native, currently residing in Highland. She is proud graduate of Leadership Orange and was honored as a 2023 recipient of the Hudson Valley 40 Under 40 Award, recognizing her as a rising leader in the region.

Tim Sarrantonio is the Founder of The Generosity Spectrum and the creator of The Generosity Roundtable, the nonprofit sector's first tabletop educational gaming system designed to help organizations practice decision-making together. He has spent nearly fifteen years working at the intersection of generosity, technology, and nonprofit practice, supporting organizations as they navigate participation, trust, and change. Tim currently serves as Chair of the Fundraising Effectiveness Project, where he helps translate national fundraising data into practical insight for nonprofit leaders, and he is a workgroup member of the Aspen Institute's Alliance for Social Trust. His work has been featured at conferences including AFP ICON, the Nonprofit Technology Conference, and TEDx, and he holds a Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy. He lives in Niskayuna, New York, with his wife and three daughter and his thinking is shaped as much by family life and community—including his roles as a board member of the Niskayuna Community Foundation and a leader of movement building for GivingTuesday Capital Region—as by research, data, and practice.

Risa Seelenfreund is an experienced Human Resources leader with an extensive background in Executive Coaching, Learning and Development, Organizational Development, and Talent Management.

Risa specializes in designing, developing, and delivering programs for organizations utilizing tools such as DiSC, Meyers-Briggs, and TKI (a conflict management tool) to help individuals and teams build self-awareness, enhance communication, and develop leadership skills.

As Sageview’s Senior Organizational Consultant Risa has worked with many of Sageview’s nonprofit clients facilitating programs that include Executive Coaching, Executive 360 Evaluations, “Leading with Empathy”, “Organizational Implications of Employee Styles”, and “Developing Effective Communication Strategies”. etc. All programs are customized to meet the specific needs of our clients.

She acts as a subject matter expert to drive an organization’s talent forward and acts as a thought-partner to organizational leaders. Risa has spoken and facilitated interactive exercises on mentoring and leadership development at several organizational and professional conferences.

Risa obtained her graduate degree in Business Education (Learning and Development) from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education and her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Washington University’s John M. Olin School of Business.

She holds certifications in Korn/Ferry (Lominger) tools and MBTI. She is also skilled in analyzing the DiSC Assessment Tool and TKI, a conflict management tool.

With a background in public service, Tamar comes to NYCON from the New York State Attorney General’s White Plains Regional Office where she represented the Attorney General in the review and approval of transactions by not-for-profit and religious corporations. In prior private practice she specialized in municipal securities law helping to plan and implement publicly funded capital projects.

H. Art Taylor is president and chief executive officer of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), representing individuals and organizations that raise more than $100 billion in charitable contributions every year around the world for countless causes.

Prior to accepting the president & CEO role for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Mr. Taylor served for 23 years as president and chief executive officer of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. In this role, he oversaw all aspects of the organization’s work, including setting standards for soliciting organizations, evaluating charities in relation to these standards, and publishing the Wise Giving Guide. He also supported local Better Business Bureau charity review programs, promoted charity accountability, provided resources on informed giving to various donors and government entities, hosted a weekly podcast, fostered collaboration among charitable organizations, developed giving tools, and assisted charities in improving operations, governance, and leadership.

Before joining the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Mr. Taylor headed the Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America, Inc. (OICA) from 1990 to 1999.

He currently serves on the boards of Franklin & Marshall College, Convergence Policy, American Non-Profits, National Assembly Business Services, American Institute of Graphic Arts, Elevate 215, Certified Fund Raising Executives, Creating Healthier Communities, Mobile Giving Foundation, and Institute For the Future.

He is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and received an honorary Dr. of Laws from his alma mater in 2002. He earned a JD from Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1989.

Mark Tessar is an accomplished Senior Audit Manager with over 16 years of experience specializing in audits of tax-exempt organizations, including charities, private foundations, professional associations, and other nonprofit entities. As a licensed CPA and CIA, he brings deep expertise in both external and internal audit functions, with a strong focus on risk assessment, compliance, and governance. His work includes significant experience auditing international organizations and navigating the complexities of cross-border operations, global regulatory requirements, and multi-currency financial reporting. In addition to leading external audit engagements, Mark has conducted internal audits for a range of organizations, offering strategic insights that enhance accountability and strengthen control environments.

Mr. Tessar is responsible for performing fieldwork and reviewing the work of audit staff, and client interaction on audits performed in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, Government Auditing Standards and the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). In addition, he ensures the efficient, timely and accurate completion of fieldwork, audit report preparation and other key deliverables.

Tosca Bruno-van Vijfeijken has worked on (inter)national nonprofit and philanthropy issues for 30 years, as a speaker, consultant, coach, team coach, facilitator and author. Her work focuses on leadership development, executive coaching, team coaching, change management, board development, and organizational culture.

While her practitioner background initially was grounded in the international development sector (World Bank, United Nations, think tanks, and international nonprofits), her subsequent work has increasingly served Upstate New York nonprofits as well. Her clients work across Upstate NY, including in Northern, Western and Central New York. Tosca is co-author of the book ‘Between Power and Irrelevance: the Future of Transnational NGOs’ and host of the podcast NGO Soul+Strategy. Tosca is an advanced level team coach. Tosca is also a Nonprofit Lifecycle certified consultant and trained in Team Management Profile assessments.

The name of Tosca’s own consulting practice, Five Oaks Consulting, is a translation of her difficult-to- pronounce Dutch last name. She has lived with her family in Syracuse, for 25+ years; Tosca is a dual citizen of the US and the Netherlands. 

Michael West is a Senior Vice President and the Senior Attorney at the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. He has served as a staff attorney with NYCON since 2002 and presently oversees NYCON’s Legal Services Group. Although he has represented clients in all areas of criminal and civil litigation, Mr. West’s practice has long been devoted exclusively to addressing issues concerning tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations, particularly those matters implicating corporate, tax, contract, real property and employment law. He is a recognized and respected advocate, not only for his own clients, but for the nonprofit community as a whole.

Mr. West provides a wide variety of legal services to charitable organizations, educational institutions and religious orders. Long-term, diversified professional engagements facilitated by NYCON have enabled him to develop expertise in numerous specialized areas of law unique to nonprofits—from corporate restructuring to property tax-exemption, and worker classification to restricted fund expenditures. Mike is, perhaps, most highly regarded for the innovation, dedication, effort and empathy that he exhibits in defense of nonprofits struggling to address seemingly insurmountable financial, regulatory or public relations predicaments among other forms of organizational crisis. He also regularly conducts training sessions for nonprofit boards of directors and executive staff, Continuing Legal Education classes for attorneys and discussions and seminars for the general public concerning charitable organizations, in addition, to offering testimony before legislative and regulatory authorities.

Michael West is admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York and is a graduate of Rutgers University and Albany Law School where he was recognized as a New York Chief Justice Benjamin N. Cardozo scholar and served as an Executive Editor with the Albany Law Review.