Not-for-Profit Symposium (C67719)

Paula serves as general or lead counsel for many national associations that represent prominent economy-drivers, industries and professionals. A selection of her clients includes the American Architectural Manufacturers Association, American College of Surgeons, Bank Administration Institute, National PTA and the American Library Association. In representing a wide variety of nonprofits, she has developed the ability to focus on solutions when analyzing the problems, issues and challenges of her clients. Paula personally strives to consistently bring creativity and insight to structural and governance initiatives. Her guidance includes advising nonprofits on entity formation and tax issues, as well as strategic development and regulatory compliance. Paula is a frequent lecturer and has authored many articles on nonprofit and association topics including governance, antitrust, copyright issues, lobbying by exempt organizations, human resource issues, legal status of chapters and the unrelated business income tax. Regardless of the matter at hand, Paula is dedicated to rendering impactful and productive counsel for charitable organizations and associations. Given her decades of practice, Paula knows from hands-on and hard-earned practical experience what nonprofits need to remain viable and successful.

 

Anthony is a Partner, Research Director at the firm and leads the firm’s Marketable Alternatives and Capital Markets research efforts. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee, Discretionary Committee, Research Forum and Marketable Alternatives Research Team. Prior to joining the firm in 2011, Anthony held various roles in equity research and due diligence. Anthony received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in Analytic Finance, Economics & Entrepreneurship and a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. He is a CFA® charterholder and member of the CFA Society Chicago and CFA Institute. He is on the Advisory Board for the Michigan State University Financial Markets Institute and the University of Chicago Alumni Club of Chicago. In his free time, Anthony enjoys playing guitar, collecting vinyl, golf, and spending time with his wife and two sons.

As Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Gary Gordon provides executive leadership for Shedd Aquarium’s finance, investments, technology, legal and risk matters, facility operations, construction and security. In this role, Gordon is focused on long-term planning and continuity to ensure the financial and operational stability of the aquarium. Gordon brings a passion for education and the environment and an eagerness to engage with and support the board of trustees and staff in Shedd’s mission-driven work. Gordon has more than 25 years of not-for-profit and governmental financial and administrative experience. Prior to joining Shedd Aquarium in 2018, he served for 15 years as director of finance and administrative services for Lake County, Illinois, managing a $500 million annual budget with responsibilities spanned multiple disciplines and support functions including procurement, contracting, construction services, facility management and finance, in addition to serving as the chief executive on several successful multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects. Prior, Gordon served as director of the Office of Management and Budget for the Chicago Park District and as assistant budget director and director of capital programs for the City of Chicago. Gordon holds a master’s degree in political science from Loyola University in Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in politics from the University of California in Santa Cruz.

Seth Nicolai CPA, CFE, is a Senior Manager at Deloitte and works as Product Owner, Subject Matter Expert, and Governance Lead within the Data Science Group in the Audit & Assurance (A&A) Practice. Seth has been with Deloitte for 9 years and has been a member of the Data Science Group for the past three years. During his time in the Data Science Group, Seth has led several deployments of AI solutions for the Audit & Assurance Practice. Prior to joining the Data Science Group, Seth spent time in client service and worked on clients in the construction, power & utilities, and consumer/industrial products industries. Outside of work he enjoys writing novels, playing guitar, cycling, martial arts, and fumbling his way through DIY house projects.

Bernadette Zita holds a Masters degree in Taxation form DePaul University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 20 years of experience working with a diverse range of nonprofit organizations. Throughout her career, Bernadette has provided expert guidance on complex tax issues, including compliance, unrelated business income (UBI), and strategic planning tailored to the unique needs of nonprofit entities. Currently serving as the CFO of College of Healthcare Information Management Executives, Bernadette oversees financial operations, ensures regulatory compliance, and supports the organization’s mission-driven activities. With a deep understanding of the financial and operational challenges faced by nonprofits, Bernadette is a trusted advisor and dedicated advocate for tax-exempt organizations striving to maximize their impact while maintaining fiscal responsibility. A frequent speaker and contributor to industry publications, Bernadette is passionate about sharing knowledge and empowering nonprofit leaders to navigate the evolving tax and financial landscape.

 

Angelica Stapert, CPA Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Brightpoint As the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Brightpoint, Angelica brings over two decades of financial leadership experience in nonprofit, healthcare, and education sectors. Since joining Brightpoint in January 2021, she has been instrumental in driving the organization's financial strategy, ensuring fiscal sustainability, and optimizing resources to expand services working with families before small problems become life-altering crises. In this role, Angelica oversees financial planning, budgeting, risk management, and compliance, aligning financial operations with Brightpoint’s mission-driven goals. With a keen focus on operational efficiency and long-term financial health, she works closely with executive leadership and program teams to maximize impact while maintaining strong fiscal stewardship. Prior to Brightpoint, Angelica held key leadership positions, including Chief Financial Officer at Tapestry 360 Health and Controller at Erie Family Health Center, where she played a critical role in strengthening financial operations for community-based healthcare services. Additionally, her tenure as Controller at The Noble Network of Charter Schools further honed her expertise in managing financial operations in the education sector. Angelica began her career at Ernst & Young, where she developed a strong foundation in audit, compliance, and financial risk management. With a deep passion for social impact and financial excellence, Angelica remains committed to advancing Brightpoint’s mission and ensuring the organization’s long-term financial strength to better serve communities in need.

Dr. LynnMarie Burks is an accomplished 30-year education executive. Burks currently serves as CSO for the Brent Sopel Foundation is a Chief Associate for HYA, is an assessment/student success leader for HLC, a member of the Innovative Executives League, and serves on the Exec Board member for AAUA, and co-hosts a Podcast “The Next Frontier”. In higher ed, Burks' launched a Learning Institute and was awarded a 3M DOL grant to transform workforce systems, a tenured professor, chair, and Dean, and Dean of Faculty/The Center for Excellence led 3K faculty/staff Burks led multiple system-wide transformation efforts including an LMS migration, AI/predictive analytics, and hyperflex modality adoption. Burks spent 25 years in the classroom, founded experiential global programs, and received multiple awards recognizing her leadership/teaching excellence, including Professor of the Year by The Carnegie Foundation. In P-12, Burks served as the Board of Ed President.

Over her 24-year tenure, she led a district of 10K students through innovation and growth. Under her leadership, the district doubled its footprint and exponentially grew educational outcomes. Burks fostered collaborative relationships between community partners to expand funding and programming. Her tenure saw the launch of a community-based early childhood center, and full-day kindergarten, a Freshman Academy, 1:1/blended learning, and outcomes-based grading, and pioneered a dual language program. Before moving to education, Burks was a senior analyst and served as special assistant to the Sr VP of Research at NORC at the University of Chicago engaging in work for NIH, NICHD, ETS, and US News & World Report. Burks has produced over 100 publications, keynotes, workshops, and presentations, is a certified career coach, and is certified in Design Thinking. Relentless in her support of learners of all ages and systems, Burks’ core strength lies in her proficiency across the entire spectrum of education and business.

Ms. Christine Torres, CPA is a Partner with Crowe LLP that specializes in external audits for governmental and not-for-profit entities. Ms. Torres, has over 25 years’ experience with government, higher education, transportation, school district, state agency and not-for-profit audits. In addition to the financial audits, she has experience with compliance audits that have followed Government Auditing Standards and the Uniform Grant Guidance, other attestation engagements and consulting projects. Ms. Torres is active with the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association (IGFOA) and participates in the Technical Accounting Review Committee which is a committee of the IGFOA. The committee monitors and comments on activities and rulings of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and provides testimony on GASB standards and educates the IGFOA membership on those standards. Additionally, she participates on the Illinois CPA Governmental Executive Committee and the Illinois Office of the Comptroller’s Local Government Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish Illinois.

 

 

Stephanie Springs has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish Illinois since 2005, where the focus has been to sustainably increase revenue and resources to fulfill the vision to grant the wish of every eligible child. She leads one of the largest Make-A-Wish chapters in the country both in terms of wishes and revenue with an annual budget of $15M.  While bringing extensive corporate leadership experience, Springs brings a wealth of community and cultural volunteer leadership having served on Boards of the Chicago Sinfonietta, the Oak Park Education Foundation, the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, and several Girl Scout Councils.  Prior to joining Make-A-Wish Illinois, Stephanie worked at Sears, Roebuck and Co. in various leadership roles in their information technology area, as the Executive Director of the Sears Roebuck Foundation, leading the company’s diversity efforts, and finally as the Vice President of IT Business Management.  Springs holds a bachelor of science degree in math and education from the University of Illinois in Champaign and an MBA in Finance from Loyola University in Chicago.  She resides in Oak Park where she and her late husband raised their two children. 

Andrew focuses his practice on matters pertaining to executive compensation and employee benefits. He works closely with clients to help them design and implement competitive compensation arrangements to attract and retain executives and management teams. Andrew assists with the design and implementation of non-qualified deferred compensation plans, stock incentive plans, profits interests and executive severance plans. He represents employers and executive-level management in negotiating the terms of employment and termination agreements, equity compensation packages, retention incentives and change in control arrangements. Andrew practice also includes addressing the executive compensation and benefits issues arising in mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations and other corporate transactions.

Deirdre Hodgson, CPA CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) Managing Principal of Industry – Higher Education 612-397-3023 Minneapolis, Minnesota [email protected] Profile Deirdre has 20+ years of experience in public accounting and works exclusively in the higher education and nonprofit area. During this time, she has provided audit, risk assessment, agreed-upon procedures, financial modeling and other attest and consulting services to higher education institutions. Deirdre leads CLA’s higher education practice. Deirdre is also an instructor for continuing professional education courses, both on a local and national basis. She has led educational sessions for both clients and firm members on FASB Technical updates, Student Financial Aid audit considerations, Enterprise Risk Management, client matters when undergoing a single audit, ethics/fraud, internal control considerations, benchmarking, data analytics and many more topics.

Technical experience • Higher education • Foundations • Global services • Federal awards • Endowments • Alternative investments Education and professional involvement • Bachelor of science in accountancy from North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants • Certified Public Accountant in the state of Minnesota • Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants • National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)

Melissa Struck is a CPA and Nonprofit Principal with CLA. She has spent the majority of her 25 years in the accounting field performing, managing and supervising audit, tax and consulting engagements for tax exempt organizations. She has extensive experience handling the distinctive issues facing these organizations in today’s challenging environment and is the leader of the Greater Chicagoland Nonprofit Services Group. In June of 2023, Melissa became the leader of Greater Chicagoland’s Client Accounting and Advisory Services group and is now the Eastern Midwest Region Nonprofit Client Accounting and Advisory Service leader. In this role, she helps to serve nonprofit organizations by providing outsourced recurring accounting and fractional CFO/Controller services. Melissa is a frequent speaker at both industry and CLA seminars and conferences addressing topics such as cost allocation, alternative investments, and accounting for contributions.

Scott Steffens - Partner, Audit Services | Grant Thornton

Scott earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in the Strobel Honors program from DePaul University in Chicago. He spent the last 34 years at a Big Four and another global accounting firm as a partner serving domestic and international not-for-profit organizations of all sizes. He spent the first 29 of those years in Chicago and finished his public accounting career over the last 5 years in Washington, DC. During his time in the profession, Scott served as the chairperson of board of the Illinois CPA Society as well as in multiple leadership roles in the accounting and athletic departments at his alma mater DePaul University. He also serves on the boards of three charities in Chicago that support educational and immigrant justice causes. Scott lives in Chicago near Wrigley Field where he regularly cheers on the Chicago Cubs with friends and family. He is also an avid golfer and traveler and enjoys trips to warm locations that incorporate golf and beach time in the itinerary.

 

Jim Croft, PhD Jim Croft is a principal with JW Croft Consulting Group (JWCCG) in Chicago. JWCCG brings leadership and financial management experience to the nonprofit community and is positioned to help organizations meet strategic objectives and achieve their mission. In addition to his work at JWCCG, Croft is a member of the MBA faculty at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he teaches nonprofit management, nonprofit financial management, and fundraising. He also the academic director for nonprofit financial management programs at the Kellogg School of Management's Center for Nonprofit Management at Northwestern University, and is a faculty member of Northwestern’s School of Professional Studies. From 1984 to 2015, he served as executive vice president and chief financial officer for the Field Museum in Chicago. In addition to leading the institution’s financial operations, he was responsible for facilities management and several other operating units. For several years he served concurrently as the museum’s chief development officer, managing the annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and corporate and foundation giving programs. He was also responsible for a major capital campaign that successfully concluded in 2008. Croft also held several positions in The Salvation Army where he served as a community center executive director, finance officer, and chief business officer. He has also served on several nonprofit governing boards. In 2016, he received a four-year appointment to the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Nonprofit Advisory Committee (NAC). NAC members serve as advisors to FASB staff as they consider accounting standards that are used by US nonprofit organizations. He received a PhD from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where his doctoral work was in higher education leadership with research focused on financial management in nonprofit organizations.

Patricia Lawson, CPA, CGMA joined Erikson Institute in 2015, and as its Vice President for Finance & Operations / CFO oversees finance, institutional advancement, information technology services and facilities departments. She has over 25 years of experience in leadership roles at premier Chicago non-profit organizations, including Erikson Institute, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Botanic Garden and Museum of Contemporary Art. She began her career as an auditor in public accounting. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Illinois CPA Society and enjoys supporting other not for profit financial professionals. She received her B.S. in Accountancy from DePaul University. While she loves being a lifelong Chicagoan, she combines her enthusiasm for travel and biking as often as possible.

A founding member and the current managing partner of Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen, Debbie Kleban has over 25 years of experience advising clients in community development and affordable housing finance and related matters. Debbie created and leads the firm’s New Markets Tax Credit group and currently focuses her practice on structuring and closing new markets tax credit and historic rehabilitation tax credit transactions, often involving both state and federal tax credits. Additionally, she has over 20 years of experience representing and counseling investors, syndicators, developers and lenders in transactions utilizing low-income housing tax and renewable energy credit financing, as well as other federal, state and local grant programs utilized to preserve and develop affordable housing and facilities that contribute to economic growth and development in low-income communities. Since 1998, Debbie has been involved in various roles with Deborah’s Place, the largest provider of housing and supportive services for women in Chicago who are homeless or formerly homeless. She has contributed time to Deborah’s Place as a volunteer, Past-Board President, Commission Member and Board Emeritus Member.

RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL & VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES • Advisory Council Member, National Women’s Shelter Network • Board Member, Community Housing Capital Board Member • Board Member, Christ the King Jesuit College Prep • Deborah’s Place o Board Emeritus o Past-Board President o Current Deborah’s Place II & III Board President • American Bar Association o Member, Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development Law • Member, Novogradac New Markets Tax Credit Working Group • Member, New Markets Tax Credit Coalition

PUBLICATIONS • Co-Author, Beginner’s Guide to The New Markets Tax Credit (2014)

 

I’m passionate about helping a wide range of not-for-profit organizations carry out their mission and give back to the community. I work primarily with arts and cultural organizations, social services agencies, foundations, affordable housing entities, and trade and professional associations. I specialize in single audits and improving clients’ fiscal oversight procedures, governance policies, and internal controls. I enjoy putting my project management skills to good use, and I value the diversity that comes from working with a large variety of not-for-profits. My clients appreciate the fact that I communicate promptly with them about audit findings, accounting updates, and industry best practices. They also appreciate that I’m available to answer questions throughout the year, not just during the audit.

Among my accomplishments since I joined the firm in 1999 has been the creation of a women’s coaching group in the Chicago office. This group helps colleagues connect with peers, partners, and women leaders throughout the firm. I serve in leadership roles in both the AICPA and the Illinois CPA Society. As an AICPA discussion leader, I’ve taught CPE courses used by state CPA societies to cover topics of interest to nonprofit organizations, and I’m the past-Chair of the not-for-profit organizations committee for the Illinois CPA Society. Within the wider community, I’m the board treasurer of the Batavia Public Library and Audit Committee member of the Chicago Foundation for Women. I hold a B.S. in accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Moises is an audit partner with Grant Thornton with over 22 years of public accounting experience. He primarily serves not-for-profit (NFP), government, and professional services firms. Moises has led several of the largest NFP and government audits in the nation. Services have included auditing complex and unique accounting matters impacting the NFP industry, including compliance audits and complex revenue recognition. Moises has worked on a number of engagements in both the NFP and professional services industries, including single audits, yellow book audits, law firm audits, staffing firm audits, and public debt offerings. Moises was recently named as a notable latino leader by Crain's Chicago Business.

Craig is a partner in the nonprofit practice of RSM US LLP. He has been with the firm for over 20 years and is responsible for leading audit and other attest engagements. Craig specializes in serving nonprofit organizations, including higher education, foundations, cultural organizations, associations and social services organizations. He also has extensive experience in performing audits and preparing financial reports in accordance with the requirements of the Single Audit Act, Uniform Grant Guidance, and various federal and state funding sources. Craig is a frequent speaker on nonprofit accounting topics and is a facilitator for local and national training for the firm. Craig is based in Chicago and has served on several boards of local nonprofit organizations, including as Audit Committee Chair and Treasurer.

Andrea Wright, CPA, MBA, is a Partner with Johnson Lambert LLP, a multi-office, niche-focused firm that provides audit, tax, and advisory services to not-for-profit organizations, employee benefit plans, and insurance entities. Andrea serves as the Chicagoland area lead partner and also is a leader in Johnson Lambert’s not-for-profit practice. She frequently writes and speaks on industry topics, and she is involved in a variety of professional and industry activities including; serving on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Technical Standards Subcommittee, the Illinois CPA Society Ethics Committee, and the Board of the Association Forum.

Andrea is a native of Chicago and enjoys traveling and golfing when Chicago weather permits.

Kimberly has more than 17 years of audit and accounting experience, focusing on the governmental and not-for-profit industries. She has worked with a variety of entities, including universities, community colleges, municipalities, villages, school districts, tollway authorities, water commission districts, foundations, food banks and social services organizations.

She has helped plan and manage Uniform Guidance audits for student financial aid and other education department programs, social service programs and highway planning and construction grants for governmental clients as well as agreed-upon procedures. She also has provided accounting, financial reporting, financial statement audit and Uniform Guidance services for not-for-profits, including universities, foundations, food banks and social services organizations.

Kimberly is a member of the America Institute of CPAs, Illinois CPA Society and Illinois Government Finance Officers Association. Kimberly is a member of BKD’s higher education center of excellence committee. Kimberly also serves on the board of Associated Colleges of Illinois.

She is a 2003 graduate of Benedictine University, Lisle, Illinois, with a B.B.A. degree in accounting.

Dorri McWhorter became President and CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago in August 2021. Prior to joining the YMCA, Dorri served for 8 years as the CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago transforming the organization from a traditional social service organization to 21st Century social enterprise. Increasing impact and organizational sustainability, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago’s operating budget grew 4x over her tenure. The organization has been an active contributor to many critical initiatives across the region. YWCA Metropolitan Chicago expanded its service footprint to 10 new locations, completed seven mergers and acquisitions, implemented paid family leave and developed a retirement plan to include retirement options for thousands of childcare providers and small business owners. Dorri led the effort to develop an exchange traded fund (ETF) for women’s empowerment (NYSE: WOMN) in partnership with Impact Shares, which is the first non-profit investment advisor to develop an ETF product. Dorri prides herself on being a socially-conscious business leader and is committed to creating an inclusive marketplace by leveraging a cross-sector approach of engaging business, civic and community partners. Dorri serves on the Board of Directors for several companies including, Lifeway Foods, William Blair Funds, NexPoint Capital and Skyway Concession Company (Chicago Skyway). Dorri is also active in the accounting profession and serves on the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council and has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and a past Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Illinois CPA Society. Dorri also serves as Co-Chair of the Advisory Board of the First Women’s Bank. Dorri received a BBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Lake Forest College.

Jon Assell is Chief Financial Officer at the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (Griffin MSI), overseeing the Finance and Technology functions. As a CPA with nearly 20 years of experience working with Chicago’s premier not-for-profit organizations, Mr. Assell drives value creation through deep understanding of the economics of Griffin MSI and as a champion for enabling digital acceleration. Prior to joining Griffin MSI, Mr. Assell launched an accounting and corporate finance practice, serving venture capital-backed and not-for-profit clients. He is a former Deloitte auditor and the former Controller of Catholic Extension, a $40 million fundraising and grant-making organization. He currently serves on the Board of Ledger & Quill. Mr. Assell holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, with specializations in Finance and Entrepreneurship, and a BS in Accountancy and Finance from DePaul University.