Principal and Founder, Heather D. Hu, is a nonprofit fundraising and management professional with over twenty years of experience. This includes experience with healthcare, education, faith-based, and social service organizations. Heather has worked at Duke University, Baylor College of Medicine, St. Mary’s Medical Center in San Francisco, the PA Heritage Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity of Wake County. She also served as a consultant for seven years with DeLauro and Associates, a nationwide, healthcare development firm based in San Diego, CA. Heather’s work as a consultant, an on-the-ground major gifts fundraiser, and a nonprofit executive has provided a breadth of experience in the industry. Additionally, having lived overseas and around the country, her passion for working with people of diverse backgrounds and her personal calling to serve those marginalized by society fosters an approachable style with tangible results. Heather holds a Master’s in Cross-Cultural Relations from Duke University and Bachelor’s in International Relations and Vocal Performance from Cornell College.

Terri Hegeman is a dynamic, creative, tenacious advancement professional with more than 25 years of higher education and non-profit fundraising experience. As a respected and recognized development professional, she has a keen understanding of all facets of quality fundraising through her work at Triangle United Way, the Office of Advancement at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and as Director of Development for Durham Habitat for Humanity. The majority of her development career has been in major gift work closing six, seven, and eight-figure gifts while significantly increasing donor engagement. She is well-versed in deferred giving vehicles, skillful at all stages of the solicitation cycle, and proficient at fostering partnerships with a range of constituents. She has experience building development programs from the bottom up and is adept at integrating strong interpersonal communication skills with strategic relationship-building acumen and marketing/messaging savvy to accomplish mission-critical outcomes. Terri graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science in Family Relations.

Jeannine Brown is an experienced educator and nonprofit professional who views the world through the lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. She takes pride in bringing compassion and empathy to building and sustaining donor relationships. Jeannine's skills include workshop facilitation, donor stewardship, engagement, and volunteer management. She enjoys utilizing her skills as an educator to help nonprofit organizations create sustainable transformations to shift their organizational cultures to develop a climate of inclusion for ALL. Jeannine holds a Master's in Nonprofit Management through Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of N.C. at Greensboro.

Marcus McClellan is a strategic thinker with over 10 years working with nonprofits to maximize their efficiency and effectiveness for growth. Marcus’ skills include program management, volunteer management, leadership development, strategic planning, stakeholder management, operations and logistics, and data analysis. He enjoys helping organizations make data-driven decisions to maximize their impact. Marcis earned his Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a concentration in Biblical Studies and his Masters of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Campbell University.

Catherine Lewis is a lifelong writer of various genres and brings her work and life experience to projects that impact individuals and families. She has over twenty years of experience as a business writer, scientific and technical writer, post-editor for international business, content creator and published author. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Southern Methodist as well as various certifications in the arenas of the sciences and arts. Catherine finds satisfaction in blending both fields into informative, relatable and inspired projects. Throughout her career as a writer, editor and visionary lead, she has worked for the American Red Cross and has contracted with the American Heart Association, Inc. and Habitat for Humanity of Wake County, as well as various Triangle-area churches identifying and assisting the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations. Catherine has a passion for serving others and desires to make a difference by helping individuals gain a sense of independence and acceptance by equipping them through programs designed to offer assistance with grace and dignity.

Kris Taft Miller spent 8 years at Walt Disney Feature Animation as a graphic designer, art director, producer, writer, presenter and editor.  Her film credits include Lilo & Stitch, Treasure Planet, Brother Bear, Home on the Range, Chicken Little and Meet the Robinsons. She moved to North Carolina in 2004 to be with her husband, Jeremy and started her own graphic design company, KT Design, LLC, and continues to freelance for Disney as well as a large variety of other clients around the world. Her specialties include e-learning, logos, web and collateral design, book covers and layouts, countless print projects and video editing. 

Shelly Mehra serves diversely rich clients as the founder and President of Kiranaakar, a Technology management and Marketing firm serving nonprofits and small businesses. Shelly relishes a growth-oriented mindset with a passion to serve the underserved. Shelly’s personal life story drives her respect and dreams to serve marginalized women/children. The fundamental reason for her re-entry in the non-profit world is to expand global economic and social sufficiency for minorities. Shelly thrives with more than a decade-long leadership experience in the Technology sector. Her roles ranged from pre-sales in startups to running global programs in multi-national corporations. This includes her experience with education, Finance, Insurance, and social service organizations. Shelly not only credibly supported double-digit growth for big firms like GE, AIG; she also became the shining star of startups like Corcentric and Ipreo. Her “can do” attitude and brand advocacy skills help organizations to achieve record-growth quarters and exceed outreach quotas. Shelly holds a masters degree in Computer Science and a bachelor’s degree in Architecture.