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Breakout Sponsor:

Keynote Speaker: Mariah Calagione, Co-Founder, Dogfish Head  

In addition to founding Dogfish alongside husband Sam, Mariah captained Dogfish Head’s grassroots marketing, PR, and social media world and the charitable-giving arm of Dogfish Head, Beer & Benevolence. As part of the Boston Beer Company, Mariah created and led the organization’s Social Impact Team, which focused on cause-marketing for the company’s brands, the coworker volunteering program, and community engagement. 

Mariah has served on the boards of The Nature Conservancy, the University of Delaware, Rehoboth Beach Film Society, and Northfield Mount Hermon School. She currently serves on the board of the Delaware Community Foundation and her family’s business, Draper Media. Mariah also heads up two charitable family foundations. 

Madeleine Bayard leads Rodel’s policy, government affairs, and communications initiatives. She is chair of the state Early Childhood Council and a Delaware Commissioner and National Executive Committee member of the Education Commission of the States. She serves on the board of Delaware College Scholars, Reading Assist, St. Michael’s School and Nursery and Wilmington Children’s Chorus. Previously, Madeleine worked at the National Governors Association and The Alford Group. Madeleine earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Wake Forest University and a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University.    

Sheila Bravo is President and CEO of DANA, a nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to shape and advance the systems and conditions that empower nonprofits to amplify their impact throughout Delaware. DANA is an alliance comprised of over 500 nonprofits, faith organizations, small businesses, corporations, government agencies, and foundations. Sheila joined DANA in 2015 after serving as Executive Director of the Rehoboth Art League. Prior, she provided board training, strategic planning, new product development and marketing consulting to small businesses, nonprofits and faith-based organizations.

Mike Brickner joined the ACLU of Delaware as its Executive Director in May 2020. As a lifetime civil libertarian, Mike has forged relationships with a coalition of people and organizations throughout the nation. During his career, he has focused on issues including democracy reform, ending mass incarceration, ensuring renters’ rights, protecting LGBTQ+ rights, and securing reproductive rights. Mike has a B.A. from Hiram College, and an M.A. in Diversity Management from Cleveland State University.  

Dr. Dorothy Dillard earned her doctorate from the University of Delaware in 1993. For over 40 years, she has conducted sociological research in both the academic and practice worlds, giving her a unique perspective and ability to provide rigorous program evaluation and research designed to advance human services. She has dedicated her work to better understanding policies, programs, organizations, and systems from multiple perspectives, including the lived experience, to create equitable, feasible, and sustainable change. She integrates her management, project development, assessment, and consulting skills to work collaboratively, improving organizational and program effectiveness for greater impact. 

Monica Eboda, MBA, CSP, is an Internationally acclaimed Executive Coach, Board Strategist, and Leadership Consultant who brings over 25 years of business leadership experience and expertise to help organizations, leaders, and business owners drive growth and profitability. Her focus is helping executives, women in business and emerging leaders unlock their potential, discover their true passion, and ascend to extraordinary levels of performance. As co-founder and Partner at Bridge to the Boardroom, Monica works with executives locally and globally to coach, guide, partner, and equip them with the tools, and resources to support their unique journeys to the boardroom. She has extensive experience across various industries including Financial Services, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Legal, Professional Services, Manufacturing & Logistics, and Nonprofits. 

Tierra Fair is the Vice President of Engagement and Partnerships at United Way of Delaware (UWDE). Based in Wilmington, she has statewide responsibility for advocating on behalf of underserved Delawareans, and for collaborating with key community stakeholders to create opportunities for positive change. In her role, Tierra is responsible for identifying partnerships to maximize impact in the community, generating resources to support those programs, and leading marketing and communications strategies to amplify UWDE’s mission. She also plays a key role in coalition building, fostering relationships and bringing together diverse partners to drive collective impact. Tierra received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Miami in Electronic Media/Journalism, her Master of Public Administration from the University of Delaware’s Biden School of Public Policy and Administration, and her Inclusive Leadership certification from Cornell University. Tierra previously held positions in fundraising, marketing, and strategy development in several Delaware nonprofits. An avid reader, Tierra is a former pageant winner, martial artist and teacher at the Goju Training Center, a certified event planner, a certified volunteer administrator, and a 2021 Delaware Business Times Top 40 Under 40 Awardee. 

Alex Fizz is the Executive Director of the Infant Mental Health Association of Maryland and DC. He has built a career spanning the nonprofit, academic, and entrepreneurial sectors, focusing on the power of healthy relationships and meaningful dialogue to strengthen organizations and communities. As a consultant, he cultivates cultures of continuous improvement and leadership by providing feedback, coaching, and resources to schools and school districts both regionally and nationwide. He brings his experience as an executive director, program coordinator, adjunct faculty member, and board member to his training and facilitation. Alex has a Master of Science in Education with an emphasis on Social Emotional Learning from Neumann University. 

Ryan Harrington is the Director of the Data Innovation Lab (DIL) at Tech Impact where he focuses on developing data science projects for social good. Previously, Ryan was the lead data scientist at CompassRed Data Labs, a data science and analytics consulting firm where his focus was on developing models using a combination of statistical methods and machine learning techniques. Outside of work, he co-founded and co-organized Open Data Delaware, an organization dedicated to improving data transparency within government institutions and applying data and technology to solve civic problems.  

Harrington holds a B.S in environmental and business economics from Rutgers University and an M.S. in business analytics from Drexel University. Prior to his work as a data scientist, he was a high school math teacher through Teach for America and spent time building Delaware’s entrepreneurial ecosystem at 1313 Innovation.  

Melissa Hopkins serves as the Executive Vice President of Sector Advancement with DANA. Formerly the Director of External Affairs with the Rodel Foundation of Delaware, and before that served as Legislative Aide for the Majority Leader and Majority Whip in the Delaware House of Representatives.  Melissa has an MSM, with a focus in Public Administration, from Wilmington University; a BA in Political Science, from the University of Delaware; and is a 2013 Leadership Delaware Fellow Alumni. She has served as a board member with several Delaware nonprofits and works as an advisor with the YMCA Youth in Government program. 

John Kane is the Policy Director for Governor Matt Meyer. He has over 25 years of experience in Washington, D.C., including 13 years with Senator Tom Carper, where he served as Deputy Staff Director and Director of Infrastructure on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. He played a key role in passing major infrastructure legislation, including multiple Water Resources Development Acts, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Inflation Reduction Act. John and his partner Matt live in Bethany Beach with their three dogs. He holds a B.A. in Sociology from Vassar and an M.Eng. from UAB. 

Jessica Mendieta joined the National Council of Nonprofits in September 2021 as a Policy Associate. In this role, Jessica researches and develops educational content about policies that affect the nationwide network. Her experience in the nonprofit and government sectors, as well as her background in data analysis & visualization, led her to find opportunities to show trends, indicators, and policies that impact organizations and communities.  Jessica has served at the Federal City Council, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Resiliency, and the New York City Department of Education. Jessica holds a master’s degree from the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College of the City University of New York. 

As Director of Advancement for the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF), Maribeth Przywara brings over fifteen years of nonprofit fundraising expertise to her role. She has successfully raised more than $20 million throughout her career, including $5 million for the DCF. A Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy and Certified Fund-Raising Executive, Maribeth specializes in donor-advised funds, operational fundraising, planned giving, and grant writing. She currently serves on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Brandywine Chapter). Maribeth resides in Wilmington, Delaware with her family and three rescue chihuahuas.

Matt Sullivan is the chief operating officer of Spotlight Delaware. He came to Delaware in 2004 to launch Spark magazine as its founding editor. He later spent five years as managing director of Delaware Shakespeare while operating a boutique communications consultancy, with clients like the Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Wilmington Alliance, Reading Assist Institute, and World Trade Center Delaware. At Short Order Production House, he produced the Emmy award-winning documentary “The Pathway Home” about New Castle County’s HOPE Center. He’s a graduate of the University of Scranton and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.  

Marie Vacca is the Executive Director of DFRC, Inc., enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual disABILITIES. With over 25 years in the nonprofit sector, she brings expertise in fund development, community engagement, and addressing unmet needs. Previously, Marie held leadership roles at Fred’s Footsteps, Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay, Nemours Children’s Health System, and Easterseals Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. She earned an MBA in Healthcare Management from Goldey-Beacom College and holds the CFRE credential. Marie also serves as Board President of the Brandywine Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, reflecting her commitment to community impact.   

Agenda