Conference Planning Committee
DFWPC Position: Conference Chair
Company / Position: Educational First Steps / Senior Development Director
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: It's so important to continue learning as a fundraising professional, and the conference is a great tool to stay updated on the newest trends and best practices. It's also a fantastic opportunity to network with the best in our field!
DFWPC Position: Conference Co-Chair
Company / Position: Community Lifeline Center / Executive Director
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: I am pleased to be the Co-Chair of the DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference. It is a great opportunity for those who are new to fundraising and those seasoned professionals to gain new insights and learn from local and national thought leaders from our profession. Plus, for those of us from smaller nonprofits, it is a very inexpensive way to get access to this information!
John Gilchrist, FAHP, CFREDFWPC Position: Immediate Past Chair
Company / Position: Fundraiser Strategies / Managing Principal
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: One can never stop learning and growing professionally. The DFW Philanthropy Conference provides the opportunity to engage in new ways of looking at our industry from different perspectives. Seeing old friends and meeting new colleagues represents a big reason why I love this conference. This conference gives every development professional, regardless of experience, the BEST value in terms of the quality presentations from exceptional thought leaders at a very reasonable price.
DFWPC Position: Sponsorship Chair
Company / Position: DM Group Consulting / Founder & Consultant
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: I've attended the DFW AFP conference for years because I always learn something new. I'm also affirmed in what I know and practice. I've volunteered for many different roles within AFP throughout my career. My volunteer role with the conference is important because I am helping bring education and professional development to hundreds of fundraisers across the region, which uplifts our profession.
DFWPC Position: Sponsorship Co-Chair
Company / Position: Meals on Wheels, Inc. of Tarrant County / Donor Engagement Manager
DFWPC Position: Sponsorship Committee Member
Company / Position: 360 Corporate Engagement Consulting / Founder & President
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: I look forward to working with AFP Dallas and the great group of fundraising professionals in support of the 2023 Dallas Conference.
DFWPC Position: Exhibitor Chair
Company / Position: DFW501c.com & HOU501c.news / Publisher; creative!impact / Founder
DFWPC Position: PR / Marketing Chair
Company / Position: Texas Health Resources Foundation / Donor Relations Manager
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: I love the DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference because it brings together non-profit professionals from all over DFW and beyond. It's a fun way to get to know your peers and learn new ideas!
Victoria BittmanCompany / Position: CASA of Tarrant County / Donor Relations Manager
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference is a wonderful opportunity for fundraisers across the DFW Metroplex to gather and brainstorm ideas and trends in the fundraising market. The connections and networking opportunities are absolutely invaluable and beneficial for your organizations growth as well as your own professional development!
Company / Position: United Way of Metropolitan Dallas / Senior Director, Leadership Giving
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: As I was getting started in the non-profit world in Dallas, I met several people through the conference and the Dallas chapter who went out of their way to share their insight and guidance on how to determine my next steps. I've gained so much from the relationships I have built through AFP and look forward to the opportunity to pay it forward by supporting those who are looking to learn and grow in their professional development.
DFWPC Position: Logistics Chair
Company / Position: Mary Crowley Cancer Research / Development Manager
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: The Conference is the best thing our chapters do each year. We bring top notch speakers to educate our community of fundraisers, we bring in outstanding exhibitors that provide products and services fundraisers need, and we provide the CFRE Refresher Course because we believe in our profession's high standards for ethics, and professionalism.
DFWPC Position: Logistics Co-Chair
Company / Position: Independent Fundraising Consultant
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: This conference is a fantastic time to meet with other fundraisers and learn the latest in our profession. I love hearing new perspectives and seeing how our local fundraising community has grown.
DFWPC Position: Scholarship Chair
Company / Position: It's Time Texas / Vice President of Development and Marketing
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: I love seeing the passion, innovation and excitement around philanthropy. It is amazing to see so many incredible organizations and development professionals come together and leave inspired to create, dream, and change the world.
DFWPC Position: Scholarship Co-Chair
Company / Position: ACH Child and Family Services / Annual Giving Specialist
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: I volunteer because I love how much the conference allows us to connect and network with other fundraising professionals around the DFW area which is so valuable and empowering for our community.
DFWPC Position: Speakers Chair
Company / Position: M Gale & Associates / Consultant
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: You really get the best of both worlds, a dedicated regional conference and the opportunity to engage all day with hundreds of fundraising professionals.
DFWPC Position: Speakers Co-Chair
Company / Position: UNT Health Science Center / Foundation Relations Manager
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: I've worked in philanthropy for decades and still have a lot to learn. The PIA Conference is a terrific learning opportunity and I am proud that I get to have a small hand in making it the best it can be for all conference attendees!
DFWPC Position: Speaker Committee Member
Company / Position: Pursuant / Executive Vice President; GivingDNA / General Manager
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: I love to give back and what better place than the community of fundraisers based right here in DFW. I have a passion for building and growing leaders and fundraisers and look forward to leveraging that skill set by participating on the AFP DFW planning committee.
DFWPC Position: Speaker Committee Member
Company / Position: Mommies in Need / Chief of Philanthropy and Strategic Planning
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: At last year's conference, I had the honor of being a panelist. For this reason I chose to become involved and give back to the AFP chapter.
DFWPC Position: Guest Relations Chair
Company / Position: North Texas Food Bank / Senior Director of Foundation Giving and Strategic Initiatives
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: I have been on the AFP Philanthropy in Action for the last nine years because empowering members of our profession is something I strongly believe in. This is a great group of people who care about making North Texas a better place to live and work. Try us out! You won't be disappointed.
Vickie Mathews, CFREDFWPC Position: Guest Relations Co-Chair
Company / Position: Brad Cecil and Associates, Inc. / Vice President of Capital Campaign Services
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: I always come away from the Philanthropy in Action Conference inspired by all of the AMAZING work being done in North Texas, and even more so by the thoughtful, creative and smart people doing that work. There are so many opportunities to expand your network and awareness of the latest trends and learnings in our industry. It is a valuable investment in yourself as a fundraiser.
DFWPC Position: Guest Relations Committee Member
Company / Position: Network of Community Ministries / Development & Marketing Director
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: I have been involved with AFP Chapters in both Philadelphia in Dallas over the last 15 years, participating as a Mentor in the mentorship program and benefitting from the diverse educational offerings. Whether you are just starting out in the field as an emerging leader, or are a seasoned professional, there are multiple opportunities for growth and development.
Jennifer MaysDFWPC Position: Guest Relations Committee Member
Company / Position: Sharing Life Community Outreach / Development Associate
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: This is my first year attending the conference. I'm excited to collaborate with colleagues in my field and learn more about the conference.
Sierra LykinsDFWPC Position: Guest Relations Committee Member
Company / Position: Children's Medical Center Foundation / Development Officer
What I Love About the AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference: I am excited to serve on this committee because last year I received a scholarship to attend the DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference. I wanted to give back and to also attend the conference so that I can be the best fundraiser possible.
DFWPC Position: IDEA Liaison - Ft Worth
Company / Position: Lena Pope / Foundation Relations & Grant Writing Associate
DFWPC Position: CFRE Refresher Course Liaison - Dallas
Company / Position: Nexus Recovery Center / Chief Philanthropy Officer
Open Positions — Join Our Planning Committee
Please contact for more information about serving on our Planning Committee. In particular, we will need assistance for Guest Relations on the day of the conference. The 2023 AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference is 100% volunteer led by fundraising professionals throughout the DFW Metroplex, and is a great opportunity to meet colleagues within our sector. Chair Chris Evans and Co-Chair Michael Schwerin would like to thank each of the professionals that have stepped forward to help make this conference a success.