Advancing Racial Equity In the Field of Philanthropy, Non-Profit, and Fundraising
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CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Each year the Breakin' It Down Planning Committee brings individuals to our conference who focus on areas of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising. We are very pleased for 2025 to present our participants with distinguished industry and community leaders.
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS
Our pre-workshops and seminars are add-ons to the main conference registration, which means that you must be registered for the 2025 BID Conference by 6 pm on Friday, October 10, in order to register for a pre-conference workshop. We will follow up by Mondday, October 13 with a Zoom link. Participants must use the same email with which they registered for the event. Please contact us with any questions at conference@breakinitdownchicago.org. To register for the 2025 BID Conference, click here.
Chicago Nonprofits! Get Ready for Speed Networking With Funders
Athena Williams, Chair - Breakin’ It Down Annual Conference Committee; Executive DIrector - Oak Park Regional Housing Center
Moderated by Veronica Studnicka, Founder - Grant Harvest
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
5:30 pm - 6:15 pm ZOOM
Description: Jumpstart your Breakin' It Down Conference with a special pre-conference workshop to help you prepare for the Speed Networking With Funders session. Participants are encouraged to check the participating foundations list to see who they want to meet and to read the BID Conference Non-Solicitation Policy. This pre-conference workshop is organized by the BID Speed Networking With Funders Committee.
ZOOM registration is required.
Blueprint for Impact: Using Your Theory of Change and Logic Model to Develop Winning ProposalSeminar
Two Sessions: Pre-Conference and In-Person Conference) Introduction to Logic Models and Theory of Change
Valerie F. Leonard, Founder, Nonprofit Utopia, LLC
Moderated by Bethany Collins, Consulting for Impact
October 16, 2025 via ZOOM
5:15 PM - 6:45 PM
IN- PERSON CONFERENCE
Friday, October 24, 2025
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM Five Workshops (Concurrent)
Workshop I. Intro to Prospect Research: Building A Diversified Funding Pipeline for Financial Resilience
Christina Giovanelli Caputo, MAT, MLIS, Knowledge Services Manager - Forefront
Moderated by Charisma Cannon, Founder - ShoeHeals, Inc.
Room 1103
Description: True resilience lies in proactive preparedness and readiness. During this interactive workshop, we will introduce Prospect Research, including best practices, tools, and techniques that can help your nonprofit organization find potential donors and institutional funders aligned with the nonprofit’s mission and shared values, and thrive in today’s competitive fundraising landscape. The workshop will teach participants prospecting strategies to identify, qualify, and prioritize donors and institutional opportunities for fundraising efforts and unlock valuable insights from data sources and analysis. Moreover, it will help participants understand how Prospect Research is paramount for nonprofit success in building and diversifying its funding pipeline. Prospect Research supports nonprofits in cultivating relationships with institutional funders and individual donors. A portion of this session will be dedicated to providing a brief overview of available databases, including Forefront LibGuides, using public library resources and freely available tools to supplement your grant search, and a deeper look at Candid's database, the Foundation Directory Online (FDO).
This workshop is designed for those who are new in fundraising for nonprofits, mid-level, or who are seeking to refresh their existing prospect research skills.
OBJECTIVES
- Gain insight into the critical role of Prospect Research in fundraising and development success.
- Understand the basics of Prospect Research and what is included in publicly available data.
- Understand the practical strategy and knowledge base to apply to prospect research to your work.
Workshop II. Pass the Mission, Not the Mic: Sustaining Donor Trust Through Succession
Christine Enetak, Principal Consultant - Grounded in Equity, LLC
Moderated by Shenika Jackson, PhD, Founder and Executive Director - Off To College, Inc.
Room 1102
Description: Staff and leadership transitions are inevitable in nonprofit organizations, but funding disruption and donor-trust erosion don’t have to be. This session addresses a persistent challenge: maintaining fundraising momentum and institutional stability when critical personnel changes occur. Participants will explore succession planning not simply as a contingency, but as a proactive fundraising strategy that sustains donor confidence, strengthens operations, and reinforces an organization's long-term credibility and commitment to equity. Rather than focusing solely on executive transitions, the session considers how shifts at all levels—staff, board, or senior leadership—impact fundraising, communications, and organizational resilience. It tackles a pressing and often under-acknowledged question: How can organizations plan for leadership and staffing changes while protecting mission continuity and funder relationships? This session offers thoughtful, tested answers and creates space to discover new ones together.
The workshop will create a space for nonprofit professionals to connect around a common challenge and exchange strategies often learned in isolation. Participants will engage with tools and frameworks that support equity-centered succession planning and development strategy across all areas of the organization. Through guided discussion and real-world examples, attendees will gain practical approaches to budgeting for talent development, communicating transitions transparently to funders, and positioning succession planning as a pillar of sustainable, equity-aligned fundraising.
Objectives
This session will provide nonprofit professionals with concrete, fundraising-centered strategies to prepare for and communicate through staff and leadership transitions. By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Identify three ways succession planning can be integrated into fundraising strategy to sustain donor trust during staff, board, or leadership transitions. Participants will gain insights they can immediately apply to identify vulnerable donor relationships and begin building continuity plans in their current role.
- Use equity-informed messaging strategies to communicate organizational changes with funders and donors. Participants will practice developing language they can adapt for reports, announcements, and direct communications in their professional context.
- Develop a donor engagement outline that supports leadership handoffs and relationship continuity during times of transition. This will equip participants with a reusable framework for stewarding donors through organizational changes in their own workplace.
Participants will leave with tools and messaging they can use directly in their day-to-day development, leadership, or board engagement work. A take-home action guide will include templates and prompts for continued use after the session.
Workshop III. Rethinking High-Impact Stewardship: Aligning Donor Engagement with Shared Values
Christy Smith-Hall, CFRE, MNA, Development Director - Deborah's Place
Moderated by Audrey Woodley, Founder - Changing Oasis, Inc.
Room 1101
Description: Declining individual contributions and weakening social safety nets present significant challenges for nonprofit organizations, making their ability to predict and sustain funding increasingly critical for navigating unpredictable challenges. A well-thought donor stewardship plan that includes one-time and lapsed donors is paramount to long-term strategies.
In this workshop, we’ll explore an integrative strategy and shared values of donor and community-based approaches, and will walk through a sample donor stewardship matrix. The interactive workshop is designed to enhance the capacity of organizations to make a meaningful impact with one-time and lapsed donors at various giving levels by thoughtfully aligning shared values of the donor, community, and organization and nurturing mutually-beneficial relationships. It encourages grassroots innovation for individuals who work on nonprofit fundraising and donor relations. Participants will learn how lapsed donor outreach for micro, small, and mid-level donors can be a meaningful volunteer opportunity and team-building strategy, and a point of entry for deeper donor engagement. The framework is easily adaptable to help implementers plan their donor stewardship efforts more deliberately, effectively, and sustainably. The methods used to accomplish goals and objectives can be practiced in a variety of settings to address a myriad of fund development issues. Participants need not have experience working on nonprofit fundraising prior to participating in this workshop, although it may be useful.
Objectives
The purpose of this workshop is to increase the understanding and skills among participants to plan, facilitate, and implement donor stewardship strategies to bring about philanthropic change and support for their organizations and social impact for their communities. Specifically, as a result of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Advocate for the significance of stewardship for their fundraising and across the organization and what it entails.
- Take a practical look at the systems and resources in place in their organization to deliver exceptional stewardship.
- Gain insight into how integrating values shared by donor and community-based approaches together to stewardship can nurture mutually beneficial relationships and improve donor engagement success.
- Understand the components of a high-impact donor stewardship strategy.
- Redefine stewardship for the new era of fundraising and lead the way i their r organization.
- Identify solutions to address stewardship challenges.
- Design tactics to cultivate long-term and sustainable actions and giving.
- Develop a plan for integrating a donor stewardship strategy into their organization’s practices and unlock its transformative potential.
Participants will leave with ideas to draft a high-impact donor stewardship strategy grounded in empathy, data, and proven techniques to share with colleagues and implement after the workshop.
Workshop IV. The Equity Roadmap: Institutional Change Through a Black Queer Lens
Jamie Frazier,, Founder, Executive Director, Board Member - Lighthouse Foundation
John Peller, President and CEO - AIDS Foundation Chcago
Allen Thomas, PhD, Senior Consultant of Research and Evaluation - Lighthouse Foundation
Moderated by Mark Madison, Director of Grants - All Chicago Making Homelessness History
Auditorium
Description: Against the backdrop of policy and economic uncertainty, research consistently reinforces the positive link between organizations with inclusive, equitable, and supportive workplaces and robust financial performance and social good impact. This suggests that for organizations to survive and thrive in a shifting policy and philanthropic terrain, investing in and nurturing a diverse workforce and leadership is not only an ethical imperative but a strategic mission-aligned business necessity. Yet, while many nonprofits and philanthropies state goals of inclusivity and equity, they often fail to recognize and effectively address the intersectional and additive ways in which discrimination may manifest across populations, notably Black LGBTQ+ people, leading to significant disparities in who gets supported. Research and reports show that these individuals experience compounded discrimination and bias within the nonprofit sector itself, particularly regarding leadership and career advancement. Smaller, grassroots, and local organizations with roots in Black LGBTQ communities experience a fragile funding base. These oversights indicate that a lack of intersectional understanding can persist even within organizations dedicated to social justice, and leave Black LGBTQ+ people facing barriers not only from society at large but also within the organizations meant to support marginalized communities. Centering the experiences of Black LGBTQ+ staff and board members in an organization provides a roadmap to move from intention into concrete, measurable operational change.
Join us for a thought-provoking and immersive workshop, where we explore how using a Black Queer equity lens to address workplace discrimination can help bring about broader equity and institution transformation. It aims to show you how the Lighthouse Foundation’s Black Queer Equity Index, a research-grounded tool assessing organizational barriers to entry and equity experienced by Black Queer stakeholders, provides a powerful framework for assessing and shaping inclusive, equitable, and supportive workplaces for all by improving your organization's operational practices in key areas. We will look at how organizations are leveraging the Black Queer Equity Index to:
- Identify and dismantle internal processes that were perpetuating inequities.
- Make data-driven decisions that lead to more equitable resource allocation.
- Enhance community engagement by centering constituent voices in their operational strategy.
- Revitalize their internal culture, leading to improved staff retention and morale.
Participants will leave with actionable insights and proven approaches for leading their teams and organizations toward a more influential and strategic future, and with practical understanding of how to apply this equity-focused framework to their own organization's operations, along with actionable tools and strategies for immediate implementation. Funders can use the assessment to inform intersectional funding strategies and support nonprofits engaged in equity work.
This workshop is indispensable for nonprofit and philanthropic leaders and stakeholders to transform their organization and funding practices into dynamic forces for change.
Workshop V. Blueprint for Impact: Using Your Theory of Change and Logic Model to Develop Winning Proposals
Two Sessions: Pre-Conference and In-Person Conferenc
Valerie F. Leonard, Founder, Nonprofit Utopia, LLC
Moderated by Bethany Collins, Consulting for Impact.
Hall C (Room 1106)
Back by popular demand! This high-energy, standing-room-only workshop—led by Valerie Leonard of Nonprofit Utopia—cuts through the noise and gives you the practical, hands-on tools to take your grant proposals from “nice try” to “funded.”
In today’s competitive funding world, funders want more than good intentions. They want proof your program will work. That’s where Theory of Change and Logic Models come in. These two frameworks are your secret weapons for showing how and why your program will succeed—making your proposal irresistible.
Across two sessions, you’ll:
- Map out your big-picture strategy with a clear, compelling Theory of Change.
- Translate it into a one-page visual Logic Model funders can’t ignore.
- Turn both into a winning proposal narrative that aligns with funder priorities and makes a powerful case for investment.
This immersive workshop provides a step-by-step guide to developing a persuasive grant proposal. You will learn to construct the foundational elements of your project—a robust Theory of Change and a clear Logic Model. You will learn how to build the "big picture" strategy—your Theory of Change—that explains the "how and why" behind your mission. You will then translate this vision into a concise, visual roadmap — the Logic Model—that aligns your program's resources, activities, and intended results into a compelling narrative for funders..
Workshop Structure:
Virtual Pre-Conference Seminar
Session 1: Laying the Foundation (Theory of Change & Logic Models)
5:15 pm - 6:45 pm on Thursday, October 16
via Zoom
Description: This interactive session focuses on the strategic planning required before you write a single word. What you will learn:
- Part 1. The Theory of Change (ToC): Go beyond simple goals to understanding the causes and effects of community problems and to communicate the "why" behind your project. Learn how to articulate the sequence of events that explains how your proposed activities will lead to desired long-term outcomes.
- Part 2. The Logic Model: Create a visual blueprint of your project. You will identify and connect your program's resources (inputs), activities, outputs, and short- and long-term outcomes in a clear and compelling one-page diagram.
Participants will work collaboratively to develop a draft Theory of Change for their own project ideas, identifying key assumptions and potential challenges. Using the developed Theory of Change, participants will create a draft Logic Model, visually mapping out their project's intended impact.
In-Person Conference
Session 2: Writing the Winning Proposal
10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Hall C
Description: This hands-on session focuses on translating your strategic framework into the core components of a competitive grant proposal. What you will learn:
- Part 3. Crafting the Proposal: With your ToC and Logic Model in place, you will learn to structure and write a persuasive grant proposal. We will focus on key components, including the needs statement, project description, evaluation plan, and budget narrative.
Participants will be guided through the essential elements of a proposal narrative, including tips for writing a strong problem statement, measurable objectives, and an effective evaluation plan. Participants will practice drafting sections of a proposal, receive peer feedback, and learn key strategies for editing and refining their work for clarity and persuasiveness.
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
- Articulate your project's theory of change.
- Build a visual logic model to guide program implementation and evaluation.
- Align your strategic framework with a funder's priorities and mission.
- Integrate your Theory of Change and Logic Model into your grant proposal's narrative.
- Align your proposal narrative with funder priorities and evaluation criteria.
- Use your model to develop compelling, evidence-based descriptions of your program's impact.
- Draft the core components of a compelling grant proposal.
Nonprofit stakeholders with grant writing responsibilities from all career stages are welcome to attend, and we particularly encourage those new to grant writing or want a refresher to participate.
No prior experience in developing a logic model or preparing a grant proposal is necessary. However, each participant should be prepared to share and work on a logic model and grant proposal.
Participants will have an opportunity to draft their logic model and receive initial feedback ahead of the virtual seminar.
Workshop participants will leave with:
- Practical knowledge you need to succeed in grant writing
- Foundational understanding of the logic model process and how it is integral to the grant proposal writing
- Online resources for planning, developing and writing successful proposals
- A list of the top grant writing resources on the Web
- Recommended reading list
Pre-Conference Seminar Assignment
Please come prepared to complete a program logic model for an existing program, or a program concept.
Consider a program that you lead or are actively involved in designing, implementing, or evaluating. Come to the session with the following materials or information:
- For whom is the program or policy designed?
- What are the main goals or objectives of the program or policy?
- What is the timeline and duration of the program or policy?
- What are the major activities or strategies associated with the program or policy?
- What, beyond funding, is the funder contributing?
Please come prepared to complete a draft program logic model for an existing program, or a program concept. Registered participants will receive a link to the worksheet.
In order to get the most out of this session, you should bring a laptop computer, smart phone and an idea for a program that you would like to be funded.
One round of written feedback for a logic model and proposal outline will be made available to all workshop participants for three (3) months after the in-person workshop, at no additional cost, further solidifying the workshop concepts into practical skills.
The University of Wisconsin Extension has provided an excellent resource for program logic model development, in case you’re interested in learning more about the subject. Visit https://logicmodel.extension.wisc.edu/#:~:text=This%20course%20provides%20a%20holistic%20approach%20to%20planning
Christina Caputo
Manager of Knowledge Services
Forefront
For over 20 years, Christina Caputo has championed the transformative power of knowledge to build capacity, advance equity, and deepen social impact. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art, a Master of Arts in Teaching and Education, and a Master’s in Library and Information Science—each from Dominican University.
Since 2022, Christina has served as the Manager of Knowledge Services at Forefront, Illinois’ statewide association for grantmakers, nonprofits, advisors, and allies. In this role, she leads a dynamic team focused on sector research, resource development, professional learning, and library services.
Christina began her career in the classroom, teaching in both private and public schools before transitioning to librarianship. She began receiving national recognition while serving as a Youth Services Librarian at Arlington Heights Memorial Library, where her advocacy for inclusive services and educational equity helped shape broader conversations about schooling diversity and library partnerships.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Christina was recruited by the New York Public Library’s Center for Educators and Schools, where she trained librarians to build sustainable pathways between schools and public library branches across New York City. She also teaches the next generation of librarians in master’s programs at universities nationwide and continues to teach for the American Library Association.
Christina is the founder of All Learners Welcome (ALL) and the author of Library Services to Homeschoolers: A Guide. She is widely known for her thought leadership on schooling diversity, library–school partnerships, and sector knowledge mobilization. Above all, she is the proud mother of four and a lifelong advocate for learning, inclusion, and community.
Forefront Website: https://myforefront.org/
Christina Caputo's LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinagiovannelli/
Jamie Frazier
Founder, Executive Director, Board Member
Lighthouse Foundation
Jamie Frazier (he/him) is a Vanderbilt University graduate passionate about working at the intersection of race, sexuality, and religion. Outside his role at Lighthouse Foundation, he founded and previously served as Lead Pastor of Lighthouse Church of Chicago UCC for 10 years. A celebrated orator, Jamie addressed the historic March on Springfield for Marriage Equality and has presented at various academic institutions like The University of Chicago, DePaul University, and Loyola University. CNN and The Washington Post have featured his work. Chicago Theological Seminary recognized his passion and hard work by awarding him the inaugural 2017 Bayard Rustin Award for Outstanding Service and Commitment to the Work of Social Justice.
Lighthouse Foundation Website: https://www.lightfoundchi.org/
Jamie Frazier's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiefrazierspeaks/
Christine Enetak
Principal Consultant
Grounded in Equity, LLC
Christine Enetak (she/her) is the Principal Consultant at Grounded in Equity, LLC, a boutique firm specializing in fundraising strategy, grant development, and leadership sustainability for mission-driven organizations. A former pharmacist turned nonprofit executive, Christine brings a rare blend of analytical rigor and lived experience to her work. She is a Certified Nonprofit Succession Planning Consultant and a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®), with a global perspective shaped by her life and work across three continents.
With over a decade of experience advancing equity-centered philanthropy, Christine partners with organizations to craft intentional strategies, secure transformational funding, and foster cultures of leadership that reflect community values. Her work is grounded in compelling storytelling, data-informed insight, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability.
Grounded in Equity, LLC Website: https://www.groundedinequity.com/
Christine Enetak's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mschristineenetak/
Valerie Leonard
Founder
Nonprofit Utopia, LLC
Valerie Leonard is the founder of Nonprofit Utopia, LLC, where she facilitates an online community and provides leadership coaching and consulting . services. She recently started the Nonprofit Founders’ Academy, where nonprofit leaders can start, manage and grow nonprofits using the proprietary ASCENDTM framework. Valerie is also a member of the John Maxwell Leadership Certified Team, the world’s largest leadership training and development company, providing leadership coaching, speaking and DISC assessment. Valerie is the host and producer of the Nonprofit Utopia Podcast, and Nonprofit Utopia Livestream, inviting nonprofit thought leaders to share lessons learned and the latest
developments in the nonprofit sector.
Valerie has been working with nonprofit organizations for over 30 years, in some form or fashion.
In one life, she was a financial analyst, helping the CFO of Mount Sinai Health System arrange
nearly $120 million in bond financings to cover major building expansion projects. In another life
she was the founding executive director of a neighborhood grantmaking organization, using small grants to help residents develop the leadership skills they needed to take control of their economic environment. Valerie leveraged those experiences and lessons learned to launch her own consulting practice, where she helps nonprofit leaders to improve their own leadership skills while guiding their organizations to sustainability. To date, she has assisted about 1,000 nonprofit leaders raise over $100 million through proposal writing and technical assistance. She has also helped nonprofit founders obtain tax-exempt status within 3 months through Nonprofit Utopia’s Nonprofit Founder’s 90-Day Challenge. Valerie has helped nonprofit leaders increase their nonprofit management and leadership skills up to 3X through the Capacity Building BlocksTM Intensive, the R3 Capacity Building And Beyond program and the Capacity Building For
Community HealersTM program.
Valerie also teaches courses in nonprofit management and social enterprise at local universities,
giving students the tools they need to immediately apply their learning to their own situations.
Valerie has been an engaged citizen, working on several social justice issues surrounding
education and school improvement; equitable community development and the importance of the Census and how it impacts our everyday lives.
Valerie played an integral role in the development of North Lawndale’s most recent community
planning process. She is the co-founder of what has become the North Lawndale Community
Coordinating Council, where she recruited and oriented members of the Steering Committee and
developed much of the infrastructure for the planning process. She wrote the proposal for the
group to receive local technical assistance from CMAP, as well as the proposal to receive Quality
of Life Plan funds from LISC. Her innovative program models for community development have
been adopted by LISC and replicated in other communities around the City of Chicago.
Valerie graduated from Spelman College with a degree in economics. She also has a Master of Management degree in finance and marketing from Northwestern University.
Nonprofit Utopia Website: https://nonprofitutopia.com/
Valerie Leonard's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-f-leonard-7458015/
John Peller
President and CEO
AIDS Foundation Chicago
An innovative national and local leader in the HIV/AIDS field, John (he/him/his) has served as AIDS Foundation Chicago’s President and CEO since 2014. He previously led AFC’s advocacy and policy work at the city, state and national levels as vice president of policy. Peller is an accomplished nonprofit leader with particular expertise in policy, advocacy, programs, board development, grant management and operations.
At AFC, John is credited with launching and co-leading the Getting to Zero Illinois strategy, which aims to end the HIV epidemic in the state by 2030. Since becoming CEO, John has led development of three strategic plans and AFC’s first racial equity plan, which together drive the organization’s growth and expand AFC’s impact. Today, AFC improves the lives of over 8,000 people living with HIV a year through case management and provides housing to over 1,100 people living with HIV annually.
John started at AFC in 2005 as AFC’s state lobbyist. He worked in Springfield to enact sound HIV/AIDS public policy, defend the rights of people with HIV/AIDS, and advocate for increased services and prevention for people living and at risk for HIV/AIDS.
Before coming to AFC, John worked at the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, National Association of State Medicaid Directors, and American Public Human Services Association. He has a Bachelor’s degree from the Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago. John was born and raised in New York City, and lives in Chicago with his husband, David Jablonowski and rescue dog Penny.
AIDS Foundation Chicago Website: https://www.aidschicago.org/
John Peller's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpeller/
Christy Smith-Hall, CFRE, MNA
Development Director
Deborah's Place
Christy Smith-Hall, CFRE, MNA, is a seasoned nonprofit professional with over a decade of
experience driving transformative change through fundraising. Her work has supported
organizations serving unhoused populations, including families, reentering citizens, and single, unaccompanied women, as well as initiatives in public media, environmental justice, and social justice. Christy is the Development Director for Deborah’s Place, the largest provider of permanent supportive housing in Chicago exclusively for unaccompanied women, serving 700 women each year. With over 10 years in development, her expertise spans major gift acquisition, event planning, and donor retention, excelling in building meaningful relationships and delivering measurable results.
Christy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Illinois State University, where she
became a lifelong member of Iota Heart Sisterhood and Sigma Lambda Gamma National
Sorority, Inc. She also earned a Master of Science in Nonprofit Administration (MNA) from
North Park University, where she was inducted into Nu Lambda Mu, a nonprofit honor society.
Beyond her academic achievements, Christy became a Certified Associate in Project
Management (CAPM) in 2019 and earned the prestigious Certified Fund Raising Executive
(CFRE) designation in 2024.
In recognition of her demonstrated commitment to equity and justice, Christy was selected to be part of the 2025 Willie’s Warriors Leadership Initiative cohort, run by the Chicago Foundation for Women. The 20 Warriors represent a cross-section of Black women and nonbinary leaders from diverse backgrounds, sectors, and industries. In 2025, Christy was appointed as a member to the Breakin’ It Down Planning Committee. She also maintains membership in (CWIP) Chicago Women in Philanthropy.
A proud native of Chicago’s North Austin neighborhood, Christy is deeply committed to her community. She actively supports neighborhood improvement initiatives and enjoys patronizing local businesses on the West Side of Chicago. In her personal life, Christy loves exploring documentaries and true crime stories, attending sporting events and neighborhood festivals, taking trips with her sorority sisters and friends, and traveling with her husband and two children.
Deborah's Place Website: https://www.deborahsplace.org/
Christy Smith-Hall's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-smith-hall/
Allen Thomas, PhD
Senior Consultant of Research and Evaluation
Lighthouse Foundation
Dr. Allen Thomas (he/they) is the Senior Consultant of Research and Evaluation at Lighthouse Foundation. Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and now residing in Chicago's South Loop, Dr. Thomas brings a wealth of expertise in psychology, counseling, research, and evaluation. He earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas and has held significant roles, including UX Researcher and Assistant Director of Learning Communities. Dr. Thomas is committed to leveraging data-driven initiatives to support and uplift the Black LGBTQ+ community, ensuring their voices remain central to the work at Lighthouse Foundation.
Lighthouse Foundation Website: https://www.lightfoundchi.org/
Dr. Allen Thomas's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adt073/
Athena Williams
Vice Chair/Chair-Elect
Breakin' It Down Planning Committee
Executive Director
Oak Park Regional Housing Center
.Athena Williams is the Executive Director of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center (OPRHC), a 53 year-old HUD-approved housing agency that is known for its work to promote racial and economic justice in communities throughout Oak Park and Chicago’s Greater West Side. She is a lifelong West Side resident with more than 25 years of experience in housing, organizing,community and economic development.
At OPRHC, she has expanded programs and partnerships, including the Live Local initiative, to strengthen housing stability, grow available housing options, and support community engagement. She currently leads the $80 million redevelopment of the historic Austin Laramie State Bank site, a mixed-use project that will deliver 78 rental units, a financial institution, co-working space, cultural programming, and a pathway to homeownership in one of the West Side’s most disinvested corridors. She also plays a key role in regional revitalization efforts, including restoring vacant rental units and supporting home renovations in West Cook communities. Her work is expanding access to housing while ensuring new investment benefits existing residents while promoting long-term community stability.
Athena previously held leadership roles with the Cook County Bureau of Health, Westside Ministers’ Coalition, the Monroe Foundation, Chicago Public Schools Local School Councils, U.S. Health and Human Services Region V, and the City of Chicago 37th Ward Office. Athena continues to build partnerships that strengthen underinvested neighborhoods.
Defined by more than her accolades, Athena is known for her passion to serve her communities through volunteering and to advocate for racial and access equity. Starting as a Breakin' It Down conference participant in 2003, Athena's involvement with the project deepened over two decades. Her active participation led to her joining as a volunteer in 2023, followed by a Breakin' It Down Planning Committee appointment in 2024. She was elected vice chair/chair-elect in 2025, where she now helps shape the project's strategic direction.
Oak Park Regional Housing Center Website: https://oprhc.org/
Athena Williams's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/athena-williams-80499170/
Charisma Cannon
Founder and Executive Director
ShoeHeals
Charisma Cannon is the Founder and Executive Director of ShoeHeals, a nonprofit she relaunched in 2022 to restore dignity, confidence, and hope by providing new shoes to those in need. Since the relaunch, ShoeHeals has distributed over 1,100 pairs of shoes, empowering individuals and families to take steps toward stability and well-being.
Charisma’s career has been deeply rooted in nonprofit leadership and communications. Her journey began at La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago, where she held her first communications role, igniting a lifelong passion for advancing nonprofit missions. She went on to serve as Marketing Specialist for Planned Parenthood of New York City, leading outreach campaigns that promoted reproductive health services to young adults across the city. At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, she was the public relations lead during the historic opening of the airport’s 5th runway—dubbed “The Most Important Runway in the America” Later, at Boys & Girls Clubs of America she was the Microsoft Liaison and Communications Director, where she implemented the Microsoft Digital Arts Program across more than 3,400 Clubs nationwide, ensuring youth had access to innovative creative technology.
Beyond her professional achievements, Charisma has remained committed to mentorship and service. She has volunteered with America Needs You, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, and several soup kitchens in Atlanta and Chicago.
Charisma lives by the philosophy: always wear your flyest shoes to stand on your wildest dreams.
ShoeHeals Website: www.shoeheals.org
Charisma Cannon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charismacannon/
Bethany Collins
Founder
Consulting With Impact
Since 2014, Bethany Collins has been designing and implementing fundraising and communications strategies to help nonprofit leaders meet and exceed ambitious goals. She spent the first decade of her career in progressive roles in a variety of sectors: global mental health at StrongMinds, services for unhoused/homeless Chicagoans at The Night Ministry, education at Sacred Heart Schools, and a few roles in faith-based social justice.
In 2023, Bethany founded Consulting for Impact. After years of working for organizations that rarely had enough staff or hours in the day, her goal was to roll up her sleeves and relieve some of the burden in the behind-the-scenes work of every organization working to change our world for the better.
A fierce advocate for workers' rights, Bethany believes that everyone deserves dignified work and a life outside of work, even if your job is your passion. She recently completed 8 years on the board of Chicago Fair Trade, where she served as Fundraising Chair and two years as Board Chair.
When she's not helping nonprofits meet their goals, you can find Bethany practicing or teaching yoga, spending time with her big Irish family, traveling, exploring the ocean floor as a SCUBA diver, or relaxing with dear friends. Bethany is a proud alum of the Loyola University of Chicago School of Communication.
Consulting With Impact Website:https://bethanycollinsconsulting.com/
Bethany Collins's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bethany-collins-consulting/
Shenika Jackson, PhD
Founder and Executive Director
Off to College, Inc.
Shenika Jackson, PhD, is Founder and Executive Director of OFF TO COLLEGE INC., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting minority teens in Chicago. She completed her PhD in Community Psychology from National Louis University, focusing on the challenges African American males faced while making the transition from high school to higher education. With a decade of experience in education and nonprofit management, Shenika uses data-driven insights for community program development, while bridging academic theory with business applications and empathy.
Prior to launching OFF TO COLLEGE INC. in 2024, Shenika co-founded and served as chief operating officer/financial officer for MY Foundation: Street Smarts to Great Starts Corp., where she directly contributed to the organization’s reach and sustainability by securing support from the Pollination Project; Dream Support Grant, a program by the National Society of Leadership and Success; Starbucks Community Grant; Let's Choose Love; Walmart Community Grant; and the Excellerator Fund by the Auburn Gresham Development Corporation.
Born and raised in Chicago’s Englewood community, Shenika is passionate about tackling social issues that impact the lives of minorities in underserved communities in Chicago.
Shenika holds degrees in Psychology (Human Growth & Development) and Written Communications-English. She was the recipient of the Mohammed Megehad Scholarship and the Reach-Alumni Service Award from National Louis University.
Currently, Shenika is pursuing a master’s degree in history at Chicago State University.
Off to College Website: https://www.offtocollegeinc.org/
Dr. Shenika Jacson's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shenika-jackson-phd-7b50b315b/
Mark Madison
Director of Grants
All Chicago Making Homelessness History
Mark Madison is a social impact professional with significant experience in collective impact grantmaking, private and public grant acquisition, and nonprofit training facilitation. Mark is excited to be a part of Breakin' It Down this year as nonprofit collaboration and capacity development are a personal passion of his. In his past role with United Way of Northeast Georgia he helped plan and lead a joint Nonprofit Training Series for multiple years. Mark received his B.A. in Communications and Master's in Public Administration from the University of Georgia. He moved to Chicago in 2023 and began his tenure with All Chicago Making Homelessness History where he serves as Director of Grants. In this role, Mark builds systems and guides cross-department collaborations that ensure the organization maintains and grows its $70M+ grant portfolio.
All Chicago Making Homelessness History Website: https://allchicago.org/
Mark Madison's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmarkmadison/
Veronica Studnicka, MA
Foundation Relations Specialist, Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (Chicago CAC)
Founder, Grant Harvest
Veronica Studnicka, MA is the Foundation Relations Specialist at Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (ChicagoCAC) and a nonprofit consultant, fundraiser, and advocate dedicated to advancing equity in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector. With nearly two decades of experience—and more than $8 million raised through grants, sponsorships, and special events—she has strengthened organizations serving under-represented communities across Chicago.
At ChicagoCAC, Veronica builds and sustains relationships with foundation partners to secure mission-aligned funding. She is skilled in grant prospecting, proposal development, and reporting, with a track record of translating organizational impact into compelling narratives. She collaborates with program and leadership teams to align funder priorities with strategic goals, ensuring transparency, accountability, and long-term partnerships.
As Founder of Grant Harvest, Veronica helps nonprofits expand fundraising capacity, develop strategic partnerships, and amplify their missions. Through her volunteer role with Breaking It Down, she champions the cultivation of diverse change agents—empowering leaders of color and equity-driven organizations with the tools, resources, and fundraising capabilities to create lasting community impact.
Beyond work, Veronica is an equestrian who finds joy on the trails of Chicago’s forest preserves, an avid reader, and a dancer at the Old Town School of Folk Music. She also serves as a Career Coach through Grant Harvest, mentoring emerging nonprofit professionals to step into their purpose with confidence and clarity.
Chicago Children's Advocacy Center Website: https://www.chicagocac.org/
Grant Harvest Website: https://grant-harvest.com/
Audrey Woodley
Founder
Changing Oasis, Inc.
Audrey Woodley is CEO and Founder of Changing Oasis, Inc., a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to transforming underserved communities through education, workforce development, and sustainable business growth. Audrey has led multi-million-dollar projects that equip youth, women, and underserved communities with tools for academic success, career readiness, and economic empowerment.
Under her leadership, Changing Oasis has secured major funding from DECO, IDHS, Walmart, and U.S. Bank, building innovative programs such as the GEDX Technology & Workforce Pre-Apprenticeship Program and the Urban Innovators Initiative. Audrey’s impact spans beyond classrooms—her work in community revitalization includes capital redevelopment at 5641 W. Division, advancing solar and clean energy initiatives, and providing disaster recovery support through the Southside Resilience & Recovery Coalition (SRRC).
In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Audrey is the founder of Better Destination Media (BDM) and the Suited & Paid Global brand, where she coaches entrepreneurs on certification, funding access, and business infrastructure.
Audrey is a member of the Black Leaders Council, NAACP Chicago, and was recently selected for the prestigious Northwestern University United Way Board Leadership Institute.
Changing Oasis Website: https://www.changingoasis.org/
Audrey Woodley's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreywoodley/