Amanda White of SYNC Results Non-profit Consulting Group has nearly 20 years of fund development experience with special emphasis in development services and database administration, direct mail management, prospect research and CRM implementations. Amanda’s clients have increased their fundraising abilities by an average of 75-100 percent with a more functional and reliable database which, in turn, has enhanced their fundraising analysis capabilities as well as helping them discover “hidden treasures” in their donor base.

Amanda brings to clients of Adam Colwell’s WriteWorks her extensive expertise in Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge and Financial Edge implementation, database customization, administration and conversions, and fund account management. Amanda also specializes in implementation of various Blackbaud products and customized training and consulting for Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge software and Blackbaud’s NetCommunity, NetSolutions and Education Edge.

SYNC clients have saved thousands of dollars and manpower time by using SYNC’s personalized and cost efficient services. Her diverse list of 200+ non-profit organization clientele include Big Brothers Big Sisters, American Red Cross, University of Texas systems, Texas A&M University systems, Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Dallas and the East Texas Food Bank. She has taught numerous personalized Raiser’s Edge classes and customized one-on-one sessions and also facilitated dozens of independent Raiser’s Edge user’s groups.

Amanda is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and has been a speaker at the AFP Dallas-Ft. Worth Philanthropy Conference for four consecutive years.

More information on Amanda and SYNC Results Non-profit Consulting Group can be found at www.syncresults.com

Dawn Vandaveer of Crisis Productions is a certified Mailpiece Design Professional with the United States Postal Service. Knowing the “ins and outs” of the USPS system, Dawn helps clients navigate the USPS maze to save money without sacrificing impact or deliverability. Her extensive print and promotional products background helps clients determine the right medium for the message.

Her varied career covers everything promotion related – event planning, implementation and promotion; printing and direct mail; specialty, niche print publications serving the tourism, golf, international travel and retiree markets; retail store openings and facilitation of collaborative projects like the “Tucson City Center: Destination Downtown” insert and regional advertising supplements.

You will frequently find Dawn in the community promoting awareness about Valley Fever or collecting pet food for the annual Dog Days of Summer Pet Food Drive, which she launched in 2011. A great example of cause-related marketing, “Dog Days…” grew out of a summer promotion to increase sales and has now become an annual, community-wide event benefitting the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.

Dawn lives in Tucson, AZ with her two dogs, Bogey and Bacall. Learn more about Crisis Productions at www.crisisproductions.com

Dennis Meola is a seasoned professional who has served in management for various Christian organizations as well as the corporate  environment. He has also worked as a consultant.

His career in marketing communications and fundraising includes service with The Luis Palau Evangelistic Association, Habitat for Humanity International and Avant Ministries (formerly Gospel Missionary Union) among others. Throughout his career, Dennis has demonstrated his skills in project management, writing/editing, field photography and video production.

Dennis has a bachelor’s degree in Design Technology from Arizona State University, a master’s degree in Administration from Georgia Southwestern College, and a graduate certificate in Bible from Multnomah University (formerly Multnomah Bible College). After graduation from college, he and his wife Pat served two years as short-term missionaries with a printing and publication ministry in Japan. Dennis has utilized his skills in photography and videography while traveling to more than 20 countries.

Dennis and Pat have been married 43 years. They have two adult sons and are grandparents. They have lived in Tucson, AZ since 2006.

Jim Ray is a professional fundraiser and freelance writer with a diverse range of experience serving ministries and other nonprofit organizations. Jim assists clients in building sustainable development programs, including counsel on cultivating effective boards, developing robust annual fund and planned giving programs, training staff, conducting feasibility studies, and designing capital campaigns.

Jim’s writing projects have been published or broadcast over 1,500 times in the form of devotionals, opinion pieces, radio scripts, appeal letters and magazine articles.

Jim is intensely committed to his clients’ success and long-term growth. He has over 15 years of experience in philanthropy and has worked in advancement for such organizations as the University of Missouri, Family Life Radio, the American Red Cross, and University of Missouri Health Care. He currently serves as Estate Gift Representative for the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.

Jim has been a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) since 2006 and is a current board member and past president of the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning of Nashville. He lives in Tennessee with his wife Stacey and their two children.

More information on Jim Ray can be found at www.jimray.org

Kathy Carlton Willis owns KCW Communications, spinning many plates as publicist, writer, editor and coach. Kathy’s marketing and publicity strategies successfully create buzz for clients from the grassroots level to national attention. She’s built a network of industry connections and is frequently invited to speak at writers’ conferences. Kathy’s tagline reveals her heartbeat: Light & Lively: His Reflection/Her Laughter. She writes with a balance of funny and faith – whimsy and wisdom.

Her writing has appeared online and in print publications, such as The Paris News, The Sunday Challenger, Byline, Victorian Homes, CBN.com, Christian Communicator and more. She penned a marketing book available to coaching clients and conference attendees: “My Book’s Ready, Now What? Finding Your Way Through the Marketing Maze.” Kathy is a contributing author for “The Reason We Speak,” “It Happened By Design: A Series of God-Incidence Stories” and “Groovy Chicks’ Road Trip to Peace.”

With a background in newspaper journalism, Kathy has worked as copyeditor and feature writer for several newspapers. She served as grammar and style guru for three publications – red ink is her friend! She ghostwrites a variety of books and eBooks for clients, and provides content for The Christian Pulse. She serves on faculty with CLASSeminars and is affiliated with Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

Kathy holds degrees in Bible and Church Education, and served for over 25 years in full-time church ministry with her husband Russ. Kathy shines, whether she’s shining the light on God’s writers and speakers, or reflecting God’s light during her speaking events. Learn more at: www.kathycarltonwillis.com

Suzette Howe develops marketing and graphic materials, promotional campaigns, image branding and product displays. After years of creating award-winning materials while employed by print companies, newspapers and private businesses, Suzette launched Praise Promotions - a full-service promotional company – in 1994 to advance other businesses, ministries and to encourage growth with success. Since then, Suzette has also illustrated a published children’s book, book covers, and produced multiple publications and advertising pieces. Although her specialty is in print materials, she continues to share her creative talent in many ways.

Suzette is also manager for the Tucson Christian Business Directory and holds the position of Pima County Coordinator with National Day of Prayer for the last seven years. She is also Founder/President of Peace In Preparedness, a non-profit business designed to educate individuals for emergency preparedness and situations. Suzette is fulfilling her dream to better our communities through direct involvement and transformation.

Suzette lives in Tucson, AZ with her husband and has three children.