LAURIE HERRICK, founder

Laurie Herrick is a veteran fundraiser, organizational development consultant and CEO of RAINMAKER Consulting. Over the past 25 years, she has provided services to a large number of social justice and social change organizations. Laurie's work in the social sector began with her role as an activist and volunteer with RESULTS, a grassroots citizens' lobby committed to ending the root causes of hunger and poverty. Laurie has provided fundraising training for boards and development professionals, coaching on capital and endowment campaigns, planned giving programs - planning and implementation, and strategic planning.

In 2002, Laurie founded RAINMAKER Consulting. In 2009, she co-launched an online educational course series, Quantum Jump. The emphasis of Quantum Jump is empowering organizations to create a culture of resource abundance leading to a breakthrough in fundraising. Laurie has served on the boards of Women in Philanthropy, The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and the National Priorities Project. She was trained by Al Gore as a Climate Project Presenter to share his educational environmental slideshow to numerous organizations. Laurie was also trained by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus on the Grameen Bank microlending model and she established Syracuse, New York's first microlending program. Current RAINMAKER clients include organizations committed to making the world more equitable and just.

BETH SPONG

A partner in RAINMAKER Consulting, Beth specializes in fundraising and organizational development for social profit organizations. She brings passion, insight and over 25 years as a successful business owner, seasoned board member and donor to her work. Beth has a proven record of coaching social-profit leaders and boards to be successfully in fundraising. Her depth of experience promotes the fulfillment of each organization's mission through strategic planning, designing and implementing fundraising plans and effectively addressing critical organizational issues. Beth is committed to mission-based strategy and the power of joyful philanthropy.

David Sharken has a combination of experiences that clients find both practical and visionary. He has been a community non-profit practitioner, an organizational and development consultant, an executive coach, a program director for a private foundation as well as a committed volunteer board member for a variety of charities.

Since 2006, David has been a Mentor and Director of the Camp Legacy Initiative for the Grinspoon Institute for Jewish Philanthropy. Before his foundation work, he had a successful 13 year run as the Executive Director of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. David has consulted on organizational development issues with nonprofits and small businesses for 25 years. He has been a keynote speaker, trainer and presenter on topics of nonprofit management, fundraising, board governance, strategic planning and program development. He has provided strategic advice to successful major donor campaigns ranging from $500,000 to $18 million and is currently the lay chair of the Jewish Community of Amherst, Massachusetts' planned giving legacy initiative. David earned a BA in Organizational Development from the University of Michigan and holds a master's degree from Claremont Graduate School in Public Policy Analysis.

STACY CARKONEN

Stacy Carkonen has over 15 years experience and expertise in the social-profit sector designing strategic advocacy, fundraising and volunteer engagement campaigns focused on the promotion of health, education and equity for families in the developing world. Stacy's policy expertise supports her grassroots advocacy and media campaigns, where she has trained and empowered citizens to advocate for programs and policies generating measurable community impact.

Having been a reluctant fundraiser, Stacy is acutely aware of the challenges and opportunities associated with raising money. She supports leaders to engage strategically and effectively with their boards, staff, volunteers and donors to achieve sustainable outcomes for long-term success. An enthusiastic donor herself, Stacy is committed to helping others communicate the sense of joy found in giving to a deeply felt cause. Stacy is committed to creating diversified fundraising portfolios that give social-profits the financial security they need to focus on their mission and their vision. Stacy has worked creatively with organizations to mobilize vast networks of volunteers to produce measurable global change.

Stacy holds degrees in Theatre Arts and International Studies, a perfect combination for rabble-rousing for a good cause. She studied in the Occupied Territories of the West Bank where she saw firsthand how deeply art, politics and social justice go hand in hand. She is a proud board member of Mothers Acting Up.

DAVIA RIVKA

Whether facilitating a fundraising training, leading a board retreat or speaking from the stage, Davia gently and directly calls forth the highest self. As a catalyst for pioneers, trailblazers and social change agents, she offers clients a safe place to share, grow and expand what is possible, allowing them to fulfill their vision in the greater community. Over the last 40 years she has impacted the lives of thousands of people up to something bigger than themselves.

Davia is a certified coach, facilitator, author, community leader and a powerful speaker who leaves audiences empowered, inspired and ready to take action. She brings her unique blend of skills and heart to the table offering clients a safe place to share, grow and expand what is possible for themselves, their staff and their boards. In her upcoming book, "Up to Something Big," we follow the stories of twenty-one clients, people committed to something bigger than themselves, as they engage in a process of embodying their vision.

Davia has an M.S. in Health Sciences, University of Utah, M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Antioch University, and a certified Coaches Training Institute coach. She is an International Coach Federation, Los Angeles, board member and lives in Los Angeles.

KATHLEEN DOWD

Kathleen Dowd began her career in the world of social profit organizations over 20 years ago after a successful career in sales. As a successful sales person Kathleen understood what it took to win the deal: a passionate belief in the product, knowledge about her customers needs, an understanding that success is a numbers game, and, that no is not a personal insult. She now follows the same 'win the deal' rules, but with donors, clients and organizations. Over the years, she has worked in many areas in the social profit world, holding positions in development, program planning, and training. In addition to her current position as the Manager of the Human Service Forum, Kathleen is a donor, board member, and active community volunteer.

JODI LYN CUTLER

Jodi has always been passionate about social profit work and has been an active volunteer, donor and board member of several worthy organizations. While a geologist by training and an environmental scientist for most of her career, she comes by editing, organizing and a passion for improving the world naturally. Jodi has been working with RAINMAKER/Quantum Jump since 2008 providing her insights, organizational savvy, and project management skills to advance our cause.