Elizabeth is the Programs Manager, Northeast at Candid. In this role, she helps increase Candid’s visibility by connecting the social sector to our capacity-building trainings and resources. In addition to delivering training courses on nonprofit management and fundraising best practices, she organizes special programs and networking events on topics related to philanthropy and the social sector.With a Master of Arts in Teaching from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Executive Management from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, Elizabeth brings to Candid over 10 years of experience in training, adult learning and program management in the nonprofit sector. Elizabeth is a proud alum of The New Teacher Project (TNTP) and served as a Nashville Teaching Fellow in Metro Nashville Public Schools. In her previous position, she served as Director of Volunteer Programs and later as Deputy Director for the Washington English Center, a community-based nonprofit English language school serving over 1,500 adult immigrants in the DC area each year.

Catalina Spinel is Programs Manager, New York Learning Center at Candid, as such she manages the day-to-day operations of Candid’s New York library and learning center where she connects social sector professionals to the resources they need to thrive. Catalina brings 14 years of experience in liaising between diverse groups of stakeholders to take a broad range of projects off the ground. Prior to joining Candid, she supported the expansion of the District-Charter Collaborative, a program of the New York City Department of Education that facilitates collaboration with the goals of improving instructional practices, student outcomes, and eliminating disparities along racial lines. She also led the creation of the United Nations Victims of Terrorism Support Portal, a global resource hub for information on issues on victims of terrorism.Catalina has consulted for UN Women, Luker Foundation, and Carvajal Foundation on their fundraising strategy. Over the past four years, she has served on the Board of Women Advancing Microfinance New York and has volunteered as a mentor for iMentor. Catalina holds a Master in Public Administration from Columbia University and a Business bachelor from Universidad de los Andes. She practices Kung Fu and loves riding her bike.

Susan Shiroma provides leadership and support for Candid’s library services, nonprofit capacity-building activities and Funding Information Network partnerships in the Northeast United States. Susan is a popular and insightful Candid training expert, thought leadership speaker and conference presenter.

Susan’s relationship with Candid began in 1995, when she was hired as Manager of Fee-based Information Services for Foundation Center, one of Candid's two legacy organizations. Susan’s achievements include directing the national expansion of the proposal writing seminar program and managing a prospect research service with over 1,000 nonprofit and individual members.

Prior to Candid, Susan was an Associate Curator at New York University and adjunct professor at St. John’s University and Long Island University where she taught in their graduate programs of library and information sciences.

Susan’s public service includes being elected to serve on NYC’s Citywide High School and Community Education Councils where she spent over a decade advocating for better public schools. Currently, Susan serves on the Board of Directors of King Manor Museum where she endeavors to preserve constitutional history and the story of the early antislavery movement. Susan is an avid golfer and holds a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Education: Columbia University, MLS and Barnard College, BA.

Tracy Kaufman serves as Programs Manager at Candid. Tracy is responsible for building out Candid’s public and education programming, including stakeholder and networking events for New York City’s social sector at both professional and community-based levels. Tracy produces and moderates over 40 public educational events in New York City each year and oversees Candid’s special programs that build Candid’s relationship with New York City’s nonprofit executive leadership, fundraising professionals and prospect research associations.Tracy is a Lead Instructor for Candid’s three-day Proposal Writing Boot Camp and teaches a popular workshop on Outcomes and Measurement. As one of Candid’s training experts, webinar instructors, and a frequent public speaker, she has spoken at conferences, most notably the United Nations, and has represented Candid on numerous panel discussions.In addition, Tracy provides philanthropy and fundraising information services to individuals and local organizations. Her relationship with Candid began in 2007, when she began working for Foundation Center, one of Candid’s two legacy organizations. Previously, Tracy held positions with the Association of American Publishers and New York Public Library.  Tracy earned her Bachelors of Arts from John Hopkins University.

Dave Holmes is Programs Manager, Midwest at Candid, coordinating the training, reference, and research services for the midwest region. He returned to Candid in 2015 from a position as Senior Consultant at Grants Plus, writing grants and doing research for a variety of large and small nonprofit clients. In his initial nine-year tenure with Candid, Dave served in various roles including Regional Training Specialist, Interim Director of Foundation Center – Cleveland, and Director of Capacity and Leadership Development.Earlier in his career, Dave served as a Program Officer for the Stocker Foundation in Lorain, Ohio, and as the Director of Grants and Prospect Research at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio. He is a current board member of Joel's Place for Children and a former board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Cleveland Chapter and of Joyful Noise Music School. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh, an MA from Villanova University, and an MLIS from Kent State University.

Sam actively supports and collaborates with 100+ partner organizations across the Midwest (territory of 13 states). In her role at Candid, she helps organizations learn how to best utilize Candid’s resources to better serve their nonprofit communities. She maximizes Candid’s impact by delivering in-person and virtual trainnings, workshops, and one on one assistance.

She joined Candid in 2018, after operating a consulting group that worked with a variety of clients including universities, private and nonprofit organizations, and the City of Cleveland (2016-2020). Before consulting, she served as Chief of Staff for Cleveland City Council (2014-16) and as a Family Liaison for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (2014). Prior she held several managerial positions in retail, working full-time throughout her education. 

She is an involved community member active in politics and advocacy, she volunteers and serves on several nonprofit committees and boards. She holds a B.A in Spanish Language and Arts from the University of Akron (with certificates from Universidad de Salamanca in Hispanic studies) and an M.A in International Relations from John Carroll University. 

Alexis S. Flannagan has spent over twenty years in Atlanta’s social sector, inciting change in intersecting aspects. Prior to her role at Candid as Network Engagement Manager, South (beginning her tenure as Community Outreach Manager with Foundation Center South classic), she served the public as a Montessori Teacher for many years, and more recently as an ECE Site Director within homelessness spearheading outreach, advocacy, and public benefits services. As Network Engagement Manager, Alexis serves as liaison by providing a deeper level of engagement, technical assistance, and training to the southern region's Funding Information Network. Alexis strives to encourage and inspire each and every person she meets, and hopes to always do so with a sunny disposition and a warm smile.

Ivonne has over 15 years of comprehensive experience developing strong relationships with students, school leaders, and peers to expand educational access. In addition, she has a talent for teaching that has translated successfully from the middle school math, to adult GED classes, to freshman seminar at a community college.

Starting with her time as an undergraduate student leader at Boston University, Ivonne has created impactful programming, and managed large- and small-scale events. With that in mind, she decided to pursue a Masters in Higher Education Administration, and that led to a role  advising Graduate students at the City University of New York.

Ivonne relocated to Atlanta with her husband and two boys in 2005. After expanding her family from 4 to 5, she took a role with a non-profit that really allowed her to grow and flourish. As regional manager she was the face and voice in the Southeast, setting the tone for their work with over 30 independent schools, numerous organizations, and over 500 families annually. She enjoyed  supporting students and their families through their educational journey, and the organization enjoyed tremendous growth under her leadership. Ivonne is excited to bring her eloquence, humor, and natural gift for connecting with people to Candid. Making the world better has always been a motivation in her work.

Krista is recognized as an innovative social sector strategist and educator and brings over 17 years of diverse professional experience from organizations in San Diego and New York City. Her specific areas of expertise are nonprofit organizational development and capacity building education programs with achievements in scaling organizational impact, designing and executing successful programs and special events, directing fundraising operations and business development, and developing sustainable teams.Before joining Candid, Krista was the Director of the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy (SIP) at National University System where she led the expansion of the donor-funded professional development program through innovative partnerships with organizations including Candid, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and LinkedIn Learning. Additionally, she oversaw SIP’s curriculum development and training initiatives including bringing the 2nd edition of “Cause Selling the Sanford Way: A Guide to Relationship-Driven Fundraising” textbook to market and launching a mobile training team and train the trainer program. Krista’s professional relationship with Candid has truly come full circle.She started her nonprofit career in New York City where she coordinated programs and taught leadership classes at LaGuardia Community College in Queens. She regularly visited the Foundation Center’s library as a grad student and intern at the Ms. Foundation for Women where she analyzed HIV/AIDS policy and coordinated grantee communications and activities across the country. In San Diego, she grew her knowledge and expertise in fundraising by attending workshops and using FDO at Nonprofit Management Solutions, the local Funding Information Network partner. In 2014 she was invited to join their training team where she still facilitates workshops on fundraising, events and communication skills. As her passion for capacity building and education grew, Krista worked as a consultant and interim leader for a wide variety of nonprofits and as an adjunct instructor teaching in-person and online courses at Bellevue University, National University and the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy before being offered the Director role in 2017.Krista earned a Certificate in Event Management from University of San Diego in 2010, an MS in Urban Affairs with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Hunter College in 2006, and a BA in Theatre with a minor in Education from Marymount Manhattan College in 2001. Krista is an active community volunteer and has served on several boards including elected vice chair of the City Heights Area Planning Committee, Copley Price YMCA board, and board secretary of Mo’olelo Performing Arts Company. Krista is a member of AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) and ATD (Association of Talent Development) and in her free time she enjoys dancing whenever possible and supporting her husband Javier at their café in San Diego.

As Network Engagement Manager, West, Lori oversees outreach programming for Candid's Funding Information Network partners in the western region. She has worked in information services for more than 15 years, specializing in business and marketing topics, including corporate social responsibility. A native of Chicago, she earned her Masters in Library & Information Science from Dominican University in River Forest, IL.