BOARD MEMBER, BARBARA BUSH LITERACY FOUNDATION

PRESIDENT EMERITUS, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS LONE STAR

FORMER CEO, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS LONE STAR

Pierce spent ten years as President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, the largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. During his tenure, he transformed the organization through operational excellence, financial strength, and measurable outcomes for youth across Texas. In recognition of his impact, the Board named him President Emeritus at the conclusion of his service.  Pierce is a member of the board of the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation and often speaks at events on behalf of the George and Barbara Bush Foundation.  

Pierce was recently appointed as Managing Director at Voyager Interests in Houston.  Pierce holds a degree in American Studies from The University of Texas at Austin. He lives in Houston and enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young children.

DIRECTOR, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, NYU LANGONE

FORMER DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, YMCA OF THE USA

ALUMNUS, TEACH FOR AMERICA

Sam Chasin serves as the Director of Federal Government Relations for NYU Langone Health, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit academic medical centers. The system includes seven inpatient locations, the Perlmutter Cancer Center, more than 320 outpatient locations across the New York metropolitan area and Florida, two tuition-free medical schools, and a robust research enterprise. With a $15.5 billion operating budget, 54,000 employees, and more than $3.3 billion in annual community benefit, NYU Langone Health is a cornerstone of American medicine and public health. In his role, Sam works to advance the institution’s strategic policy priorities and cultivate meaningful partnerships with Members of Congress and the Administration.

Previously, Sam served as Director of Government Relations, Partnerships and Policy for YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for the 2,600 YMCAs across the country. Prior to his role at Y, Sam served as a staffer for U.S. Senator Jack Reed and Congressman Jim Langevin, both of Rhode Island. He began his career as a teacher in the Houston Independent School District with Teach for America. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and holds a Master of Education from the University of St. Thomas. 

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS, THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY FOUNDATION

Nick Chin is the Associate Vice President of Technology and Development Operations, providing executive leadership for the Foundation’s technology, cybersecurity, digital strategy, and donor data ecosystem. He directs enterprise technology initiatives, cybersecurity governance, digital infrastructure, and strategic vendor partnerships, ensuring the organization operates with security, efficiency, and scalability at its core.

As a key organizational leader, Nick drives technology-enabled growth by aligning operational priorities with business objectives, overseeing critical digital platforms, and implementing governance frameworks that protect donor data and mitigate enterprise risk. He leads cross-functional initiatives that strengthen fundraising, marketing, and stakeholder engagement, while championing innovation, accountability, and operational excellence across the Foundation.

Through decisive leadership and a strategic focus on modernization, Nick positions technology as a catalyst for organizational performance, long-term sustainability, and mission impact.

BOARD MEMBER, THE NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION

BOARD MEMBER, THE JOHN F. KENNEDY LIBRARY FOUNDATION

FORMER CEO, THE NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM

"I didn't have a grasp on how to be a CEO, but I did know the importance of assembling a team with the expertise to make this happen." — Chris Cassidy, upon completing a $300 million campaign to build the National Medal of Honor Museum.

Chris Cassidy served as President and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, where he led the effort to build the iconic Museum, Monument, and Institute. Prior to this role, he served as NASA's 14th Chief Astronaut and is a veteran of three spaceflights and ten spacewalks, accumulating 377 days in space.

A retired U.S. Navy SEAL, Cassidy was awarded the Bronze Star with combat 'V' and a second Bronze Star for combat leadership in Afghanistan. In 2004, the platoon he commanded received the Presidential Unit Citation for operations on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border.

Cassidy holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master of Science in Ocean Engineering from MIT, and honorary PhDs from Husson University and the University of Maine at Augusta.

FOUNDER, LOGILIO

MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

FORMER MEMBER, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE LAB SCHOOL

Ashley Bittman Dabbiere is the founder of LoGlio, a leading brain cancer research consortium for low-grade gliomas. Since its inception in 2013, LoGlio’s research with its initial private funding of $30 million, has leveraged over $60 million from NIH and additional government and private grants.

She is involved with the Brain Tumor Center at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI-Connect) and serves on the board of directors at Oligo Nation. She has also been on the board of trustees at The Lab School of Washington since 2014. At The White House Historical Association, she serves on the executive committee, board of directors, national council and is the chairperson of the development committee.

Ashley grew up in Denver, Colorado and is a graduate of the University of Arizona, where she earned her B.A. in Communications. She began her media career in radio, then worked as a television executive for the Meredith Corporation in Kansas City, Nashville and Atlanta.

After living in Europe and Asia for several years, she settled into McLean Virginia in 2006. Ashley has four children in their teens.

CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER, THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

FORMER CDO, THE BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

FORMER CDO, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING

As chief philanthropy officer, Jamie Kelley oversees all fundraising activities that connect the priorities and needs of the National Park System and individual park units to the charitable intentions of our philanthropic partners. With 20+ years of experience in fundraising, Kelley brings an in-depth background in planning, implementing and successfully completing capital campaigns, focusing on team growth and capacity building, and working with donors on all aspects of their philanthropic intentions.

Prior to joining the National Park Foundation, Kelley served as Vice President of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra where he successfully implemented strategies that led to the largest fundraising totals in the history of the organization and the first fully funded international tour and the endowing of several new positions in the orchestra, both being the firsts of their kind in over a decade. Prior to his role at the BSO, Kelley spent time at Johns Hopkins University where he culminated his time there as Associate Dean of Development of the JHU School of Nursing. During his tenure as Associate Dean, the list of accomplishments included the first cross-divisional endowed professorship in Nursing, the launch of the most ambitious capital campaign in JHU history, the successful implementation of a new curriculum design and achieving the rank of the top school of nursing in the country.

Kelley, a native of Southern California, graduated from Johns Hopkins University and holds a certificate from the Johns Hopkins University/Stanford University Leadership in Action Program. A resident of the Locust Point community in Baltimore, MD, Kelley is very active in community efforts which include supporting the local jewel, Ft. McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. Kelley is also an active musician and continues to play drums and percussion with bands and solo artists in the mid-Atlantic region.

GROUP MANAGER, FORWARD DEPLOYED ENGINEER & AI INNOVATION, ADOBE

FORMER AI AMBASSADOR, OFFICE OF THE CIO, ADOBE

MEMBER, BOARD OF ADVISORS TO THE DEAN, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY KRIEGER SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Bill Kirst is a Change Architect, 2x author, poet, keynote speaker, developmental editor, and host of the Coffee & Change podcast. He works at the intersection of artificial intelligence, organizational transformation, and human potential, helping leaders and organizations navigate change with greater clarity, curiosity, confidence, and empathy.

His book, Leading Change in the Era of AI, explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping leadership, work, and the human experience. Drawing on more than two decades of leading enterprise transformation, Bill offers a practical and deeply human perspective on helping people adapt, thrive, and lead with purpose in an age of accelerating technological change.

Through his writing, speaking, and conversations with innovators, executives, researchers, and creators, Bill explores one enduring question: How can we ensure AI elevates our humanity rather than diminishes it? His work is guided by a simple belief: the future of leadership will be defined not only by intelligence, but by our capacity for empathy at scale.

CDO, THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

Leslie Miller serves as the Chief Development Officer at the National Gallery of Art. She previously held the role of Senior Vice President of Development at the Kennedy Center, overseeing fundraising operations for the Kennedy Center, National Symphony Orchestra, and Washington National Opera, in addition to special and gala events and volunteers.

CEO, GOD’S LOVE WE DELIVER

CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, THE PALETTE FUND

BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS, PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK

Terrence Meck is the President and CEO of God’s Love We Deliver, the New York based nonprofit that improves the health and wellbeing of people affected by serious illness by ensuring access to medically tailored meals and comprehensive nutrition care. A longtime champion of the organization, Terrence previously served on the Board of Directors for over a decade and as Board Chair from 2019 through 2023. 

As President and CEO, Terrence is leading God’s Love into its next chapter of growth, impact, and innovation. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded its reach through participation in New York State’s 1115 Medicaid Waiver, extending services beyond New York City to communities across the state. He also led the opening of the organization’s first dedicated distribution center, significantly increasing capacity and enabling the expansion of culturally appropriate offerings, including kosher and halal meals.  

In addition to his leadership at God’s Love, Terrence is the co-founder and President of The Palette Fund, a private foundation he established in 2008 in honor of his late husband, Rand Harlan Skolnick. Under his leadership, the foundation has directed more than 20 million dollars in grants to over 200 nonprofit organizations across the United States, supporting pioneering work in LGBTQ rights, patient navigation, arts and culture, and food as medicine initiatives.  

Throughout his career, Terrence has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Movement Advancement Project, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Provincetown Commons, New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care, Victory Fund, Prospect New Orleans, and Threshold Foundation. His board service reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing health, equity, and community. 

Terrence has been widely recognized for his leadership and impact across the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. He was named to the OUT100 in both 2012 and 2025 and has been recognized as an LGBTQ Power Player by PoliticsNY.  

A graduate of Princeton University, Terrence lives in New York City. 

CDO, VICE PRESIDENT OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS AND DEVELOPMENT, THE COOPER UNION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND ART

FORMER CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER, NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN

FORMER ASSOCIATE DEAN, SCHOOL OF ARTS, EMERSON COLLEGE

Isaac W. K. Thweatt serves as Vice President of Alumni Affairs and Development at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, where he leads advancement and public funding strategy.

A fundraising executive with more than two decades of experience across higher education, museums, and cultural organizations, Thweatt previously served as Chief Development Officer of the New York Botanical Garden, Associate Dean of the School of the Arts at Emerson College, and Executive Director of Individual Giving at Columbia University. Across those institutions he has advanced ambitious priorities, strengthened donor communities, and expanded access to transformative educational and community-building experiences.

Thweatt is also a scholar-practitioner whose research and professional practice explore the intersection of change leadership, organizational culture, identity, and the experiences of historically underrepresented communities.

Thweatt holds degrees from George Mason University and The Catholic University of America and has completed postgraduate study at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

SUMMIT CHAIR

CEO, TEAPOT MOUNTAIN ADVISORY

FORMER CDO, WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

As Chief Development Officer at the White House Historical Association, Rhett Wilson grew philanthropic revenues more than 20-fold in less than a decade and led an $85.5 million capital campaign — completed in 18 months — to build The People's House, a 33,000-square-foot interactive museum adjacent to the White House complex. He founded IIP because he believes the most important conversations in philanthropy aren't happening — and they should be.

Wilson is the founder and president of Teapot Mountain Advisory, where he serves as a strategy advisor to fundraising campaigns totaling between $250 million and $500 million cumulatively across clients at any given time.

Earlier in his career he held appointments as Associate Dean at Johns Hopkins University and Assistant Dean at George Mason University. He co-founded the Caravanserai Project and serves on the board of directors of the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. He is an alumnus of Arizona State University and Mesa Community College.