Laura Bergman is a Social Sector Librarian at Candid.  She teaches classes on how to use Foundation Directory Online (FDO) in the context of prospecting for grants, and answers online questions about general nonprofit fundraising.  Laura has served the non-profit sector for 25 years as a nonprofit executive director, development director, and program designer.  Before joining the Foundation Center (now Candid), Laura worked at the California Arts Council, the Exploratorium Museum, and Z Space Theater, where she currently volunteers as Board President.

Krista Berry Ortega, Programs Manager-West, is part of Candid's Social Sector Outreach (SSO) Programs team.  She delivers in-person and online trainings, including free and fee-based workshops and customized trainings in the western region of the US, a territory of 13 states.  She also contributes to the curriculum design process of our programs, contributes to the team’s impact evaluation efforts, and serves as a subject matter expert for her region. 

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. 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. 

She is recognized as an innovative leader and has over 17 years of diverse nonprofit experience from organizations in San Diego and New York City. Her specific areas of expertise are nonprofit management, philanthropy and community development with professional achievements in scaling organizational impact, developing successful teams, directing fundraising operations and business development, designing successful programs and special events, and leading culture change and transitions. Krista earned an MS in Urban Affairs with a concentration in nonprofit management and public policy from Hunter College in 2006, and a BA in Theatre with a minor in education from Marymount Manhattan College in 2001. 

Christine Bunting is an instructional designer by trade, and her career has encompassed guiding professors teaching online as well as helping recruiters leverage software to find great candidates. When looking for the next step in her career, she sought a position that would help her further good in the world and she feels she has found it on the Social Sector Outreach team. She very much looks forward to working to optimize and potentially grow the Foundation Center's training offerings. Christine has a B.A. in International Relations from Goucher College and an M.A. in Politics from University of California Santa Cruz. She moved to New York City this past September after spending nine years living in northern California and she is originally from Maryland. In her spare time, she enjoys sketching, painting, and petting puppies.

Michele leads the team responsible for cultivating and deepening Candid’s strategic relationships across the U.S. Comprised of philanthropic, governmental, multi-lateral and nonprofit serving organizations, our business-to-business network of partnerships works to strengthen communities on-the-ground and near you. Our collective goal is to deepen engagement, connection, and knowledge across the field to build capacity of the social sector as a whole.

Michele has 20+ years of experience elevating brand profiles, building teams, and contributing to the success of both private and social sector organizations. She began her career in tech product development and marketing before she transitioned to the nonprofit sector where she has held leadership roles in communications at the Asian Art Museum and Edgewood Center for Children and Families. 

Her most recent position prior to joining Foundation Center now Candid was serving as vice president of communications and development for World Affairs Council/Global Philanthropy Forum from 2011-2015. Michele served as director of Foundation Center’s western region from 2015-2019 before assuming the role of senior director of partnerships beginning in 2020.

Michele holds a B.A. in Rhetoric and Communication Studies from the University of Virginia. Among her many volunteer roles, Michele serves on the board of trustees for Horizons at San Francisco Friends School. Her favorite role is mother to three dynamic and delightful children, and an adorable pup named Mia. Find her on weekends enjoying the Northern California coast or attending a myriad of sporting and extra-curricular events for and with her family.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Julieta connects the social sector to the resources they need to thrive. She leads Candid’s network of 400 partners and team of 20 plus trainers to provide access to our tools and curriculum, and to build the capacity of the sector.  

Julieta’s career in the social sector spans fifteen years, she draws on experience from the grantmaking and nonprofit/civil society sectors in the US and Latin America. From 2004 to 2010, Julieta served as program officer for the International Community Foundation overseeing capacity building grant programs in Mexico, Argentina and the Dominican Republic. In 2006, she received the Emerging Leaders fellowship from the Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at the City University of New York. Julieta holds a Bachelor of Arts in business economics and political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master of Arts in international relations from the School of Global Policy and Strategy at UCSD. She holds certificates in Fundraising Management from Indiana University School of Fundraising Management, Impact Measurement from Baruch College, School of Public Affairs at the City University of New York, and Global Studies from the University of California Los Angeles. Julieta also serves as an advisory board member for Freedom to Thrive. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, gardening, and singing Latin American songs with her band in New York City and beyond.

Kim Buckner Patton oversees Candid's Northeast region including our New York and Washington, DC, regional centers. Prior to her current position, she designed and delivered training programs and curriculum for Candid geared toward developing and expanding the leadership and capacity of nonprofit organizations both domestically and abroad.

Prior to joining Foundation Center in 2007, Kim worked as a nonprofit director, fundraiser, and grantmaker for more than 20 years with organizations such as Hawaii Public Television, the Council on Foundations, and the National Endowment for the Arts. She received her J.D. from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio and her B.A. in Communications from the University of Cincinnati.

Samantha Peddicord is the Network Engagement Manager for the Midwest and actively supports a territory of 13 states. She joined Candid after operating a consulting group that worked with a variety of clients including universities, private and nonprofit organizations and the City of Cleveland. Before consulting, she served as chief of staff for Cleveland City Council and as a family liaison for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She is an involved community member active in politics and advocacy, she volunteers and serves on several nonprofit committees and boards. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Akron and a Masters from John Carroll University.

Brian manages a network of over 400 libraries, community foundations, and other nonprofit resource centers that can be found across the U.S. and around the world. Brian assists network partners in providing local nonprofit communities with access to Foundation Center funding databases, nonprofit trainings, and the opportunity to connect with like-minded social sector professionals. Brian serves as an Ohio LGBTQ Funding Ambassador on behalf of Funders for LGBTQ Issues and on the United Way of Greater Cleveland funding committee for Basic Needs. Brian also serves on the board of Plexus the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. Brian is a Cleveland native with a strong love of the city and commitment to its social sector. 

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.

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.

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.

Teleangé leverages her deep knowledge in nonprofit management and philanthropy to expand the reach of Candid resources across the Midwest. Responsible for a 13-state territory (IL, IA, IN, OH, MI, MN, WI, MO, KS, NB, ND, SD, OK), she builds partnerships and strategies to strengthen the social sector through comprehensive data, training and insights on philanthropy.

Accruing more than a sixteen-year career in healthcare, public health, health & human service, nonprofit management and philanthropy; Teleange’ has served in management and leadership positions for University Hospitals of Cleveland and the City of Cleveland – Department of Public Health. During her seven-year tenure at The Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, she developed strategies to reduce health disparities and reduce poverty through strategic grant-making, systems and policy change.  Joining Foundation Center in 2016, she brought the organization expertise in program planning, nonprofit management, fundraising, collaboration, and creating multi-field partnerships (state, regional and national); along with a deep commitment to children, women and communities/people of color.  Her expertise and leadership helped to inform Foundation Center’s regionalization strategy, launch the Nonprofit StartUp Assessment Tool and execute the regional pivot, shifting in-person reference services to Funding Information Network sites, office relocation and supporting becoming Candid.

She is on the boards of Community Health Charities, Policy Matters Ohio, Green City Growers, The Conservancy of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Cleveland Public Library Foundation, a Fellow of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and is published.

Teleangé earned a Bachelor of Business Management and entrepreneurial studies from Case Western Reserve University.

Elizabeth comes to the Foundation Center from the San Francisco Bay Area. Elizabeth helps coordinate the Foundation Center’s our webinar programs and supports the curriculum design and evaluation, as well as other administrative duties. Her time with the Sobrato Family Foundation and Lush Cosmetics’ Charitable Givings Program brings a fresh perspective to the Programs teams. Elizabeth has also served as a volunteer for several nonprofit organizations, including stints with Planting Justice and RED Sustainable Travel. Elizabeth has an M.A. in International Studies from the University of San Francisco, and a B.A. in History from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Zohra oversees Candid’s Networks division, comprising of 6 departments and 55 team members. Her team ensures Candid connects social sector professionals around the globe to information and resources they need to do good. A typical day in Networks means managing relationships with 110+ Community Foundations Insights members, 400+ Funding Information Network partners, and 100+ allies from affinity groups, associations, and multi-lateral agencies across the world. On an annual basis, Zohra’s team stewards 100,000 engagements through online chats and customer support services. Her team also delivers hundreds of online and in-person training programs to tens of thousands of people annually leveraging resources on Candid’s learning sites: GrantSpace, GrantCraft, and Glasspockets. Additionally, the Networks team stewards cross-cutting global initiatives related to research, data, and capacity building partnerships, ensuring our external stakeholders receive a suite of solutions anchored in cultural context.

She launched her career at Enactus, a global community of student, academic, and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. Her roles with the organization included Program Development Director, Regional Vice President of International Programs, and Vice President of Enactus Worldwide. Prior to joining Candid, Zohra was the President of Global Management Challenge USA, the world’s largest strategy and management training platform, with operations in 40 countries and 500,000+ participants from the corporate and higher education sectors.

Zohra is multilingual, has traveled to more than 50 countries, serves as advisor to multiple organizations, and enjoys exploring roads less traveled.