The Team
Our highly-experienced team is ready to leverage our expertise to your advantage. We know the unique business models of community foundations. We understand the evolving value propositions your diverse customers and partners seek. And we know how to improve staff and board alignment and effectiveness in both your strategies and tactics.
Steve Alley, Managing Partner
Steve is the Managing Partner of Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates and has extensive experience in the community foundation field. Most recently he was President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona for nine years, leading that foundation to grow from $53 million to $90 million in assets and develop a significant leadership role in Tucson and the surrounding counties. Prior to that he was Director of the Community Foundations Institute of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. Under his leadership new research in community foundation-related areas was undertaken and resources for advancing the field were developed.
Steve also served as Vice President for Development at the Central Indiana Community Foundation (Indianapolis and vicinity). The Central Indiana Community Foundation, including the Indianapolis Foundation, is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the nation. Steve’s experience in the field also includes six years at a rural, startup community foundation.
He was founding President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Howard County, Indiana.
A 1985 graduate of Ball State University with a degree in communications, Steve began a career in radio as a reporter, anchor, and news director. He then was asked to create and then maintain marketing and public relations services for a central Indiana school district, a position he held for four years.
Steve has played numerous national and regional leadership roles in the community foundation field. Among them:
• Participant in Transatlantic Community Foundation Network
• Participant in U.S./Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership
• Member, Community Foundations Leadership Team
(Formerly Committee on Community Foundations, Council on Foundations (1996 – 2008))
• Chair, 2006 Council on Foundations Annual Community Foundation Conference in Boston
• Founding Chairman, Indiana Community Foundation Committee of the Indiana Donors Alliance (1995 – 1998)
• Member, Indiana Community Foundation Committee of the Indiana Grantmakers Alliance (1995 – 2001)
• Chair, Professional Development Action Team, Council on Foundations
• Member, Council on Foundations Annual Community Foundation Conference in Chicago (1997)
Steve is the Managing Partner of Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates and has extensive experience in the community foundation field. Most recently he was President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona for nine years, leading that foundation to grow from $53 million to $90 million in assets and develop a significant leadership role in Tucson and the surrounding counties. Prior to that he was Director of the Community Foundations Institute of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. Under his leadership new research in community foundation-related areas was undertaken and resources for advancing the field were developed.
Steve also served as Vice President for Development at the Central Indiana Community Foundation (Indianapolis and vicinity). The Central Indiana Community Foundation, including the Indianapolis Foundation, is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the nation. Steve’s experience in the field also includes six years at a rural, startup community foundation.
He was founding President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Howard County, Indiana.
A 1985 graduate of Ball State University with a degree in communications, Steve began a career in radio as a reporter, anchor, and news director. He then was asked to create and then maintain marketing and public relations services for a central Indiana school district, a position he held for four years.
Steve has played numerous national and regional leadership roles in the community foundation field. Among them:
• Participant in Transatlantic Community Foundation Network
• Participant in U.S./Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership
• Member, Community Foundations Leadership Team
(Formerly Committee on Community Foundations, Council on Foundations (1996 – 2008))
• Chair, 2006 Council on Foundations Annual Community Foundation Conference in Boston
• Founding Chairman, Indiana Community Foundation Committee of the Indiana Donors Alliance (1995 – 1998)
• Member, Indiana Community Foundation Committee of the Indiana Grantmakers Alliance (1995 – 2001)
• Chair, Professional Development Action Team, Council on Foundations
• Member, Council on Foundations Annual Community Foundation Conference in Chicago (1997)
Bryan Clontz, Ph.D., CFP®, CAP®, Senior Partner
Bryan Clontz is the Senior Partner at Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates. For the decade prior to joining
the firm, Bryan served as the Vice President of Advancement at The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and the National Director of Planned Giving for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
He received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC; a master’s degree in risk management and insurance from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA; a master’s degree in financial services and Ph.D. in retirement and financial planning from the American College of Financial Services in Bryn Mawr, PA.
At 24, Bryan became the youngest South Carolinian ever to earn the certified financial planner designation (CFP®), and subsequently earned the chartered life underwriter (CLU), chartered financial consultant (ChFC), accredited estate planner (AEP) and chartered advisor in philanthropy (CAP). For the last six years, he has served as a graduate adjunct professor of personal financial planning and life insurance in the Department of Risk Management and Insurance at Georgia State University. He serves on the Editorial Board of the Planned Giving Design Center, the Advisory Board for the American College’s Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation, the American Council on Gift Annuities’ Rate Recommendation Committee and the National Committee on Planned Giving Board for 2007-2010.
He has given more than 2,000 presentations on financial planning and planned giving topics; been published in an international insurance textbook; and written more than a dozen articles in financial services and planned giving journals, including a planned giving manual entitled Just Add Water, which has sold more than 2,000 copies. Bryan chaired the inaugural statewide Leave a Legacy Georgia! campaign. He has also served as an expert witness on charitable gift annuity default and reinsurance and is the principal inventor of a patent-pending CGA risk management process (LIRMAS, Life Income Risk Management Analytic Suite).
Bryan is also president and co-founder of Charitable Solutions, LLC, specializing in non-cash asset receipt and liquidation, gift annuity reinsurance brokerage, gift annuity risk management consulting and CRT/CGA investment management. He also founded the Dechomai Foundation and Dechomai Asset Trust, Emergency Assistance Foundation, and National Gift Annuity Foundation.
Bryan Clontz is the Senior Partner at Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates. For the decade prior to joining
the firm, Bryan served as the Vice President of Advancement at The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and the National Director of Planned Giving for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
He received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC; a master’s degree in risk management and insurance from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA; a master’s degree in financial services and Ph.D. in retirement and financial planning from the American College of Financial Services in Bryn Mawr, PA.
At 24, Bryan became the youngest South Carolinian ever to earn the certified financial planner designation (CFP®), and subsequently earned the chartered life underwriter (CLU), chartered financial consultant (ChFC), accredited estate planner (AEP) and chartered advisor in philanthropy (CAP). For the last six years, he has served as a graduate adjunct professor of personal financial planning and life insurance in the Department of Risk Management and Insurance at Georgia State University. He serves on the Editorial Board of the Planned Giving Design Center, the Advisory Board for the American College’s Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation, the American Council on Gift Annuities’ Rate Recommendation Committee and the National Committee on Planned Giving Board for 2007-2010.
He has given more than 2,000 presentations on financial planning and planned giving topics; been published in an international insurance textbook; and written more than a dozen articles in financial services and planned giving journals, including a planned giving manual entitled Just Add Water, which has sold more than 2,000 copies. Bryan chaired the inaugural statewide Leave a Legacy Georgia! campaign. He has also served as an expert witness on charitable gift annuity default and reinsurance and is the principal inventor of a patent-pending CGA risk management process (LIRMAS, Life Income Risk Management Analytic Suite).
Bryan is also president and co-founder of Charitable Solutions, LLC, specializing in non-cash asset receipt and liquidation, gift annuity reinsurance brokerage, gift annuity risk management consulting and CRT/CGA investment management. He also founded the Dechomai Foundation and Dechomai Asset Trust, Emergency Assistance Foundation, and National Gift Annuity Foundation.
Helmer N. Ekstrom
Helmer is the firm's founding partner, now retired. His career in the field of philanthropy is an eclectic roster of local and national posts, including foundation and national association chief executive, publisher, grantmaker, spokesperson and fundraiser. This experience provides him a rare perspective that he puts to work in his consulting practice furthering philanthropy, whether advising foundations and organizations or guiding
special projects.
Helmer served as President of the Giving Institute (formerly American Association of Fund-Raising Counsel, AAFRC) and its public service foundation the Giving USA Foundation (formerly AAFRC Trust for Philanthropy). The Giving Institute is the standard setter for ethical practice and professional conduct for fund-raising and philanthropic consulting. In addition, he was publisher of GIVING USA, the authoritative and most quoted report on philanthropy, published annually since 1955.
For ten years he was CEO of one of the nation’s oldest and largest community foundations, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. This followed five years as its Associate Director during which time he served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Program Officer. Helmer also served as a consultant to community foundations for the Council on Foundations’ Organizational Development Program. Prior to that, he organized and served as chief executive for a consortium of United Ways and service agencies in Connecticut. Earlier he had a number of assignments as a YMCA senior director, including field consultant for the National Council of YMCAs.
His various leadership roles have included chair of the National Committee on Community Foundations for the Council on Foundations, chair of the Connecticut Humanities Council, and member of Independent Sector’s GIVE FIVE National Advisory Committee, the Council on Foundations Program on Family Philanthropy Resource Materials and Programs Working Group, and the World Fund-Raising Council CEO Group.
Helmer is an experienced facilitator and trainer. He is trained in the Technology of Participation method of group facilitation as developed by the Institute of Cultural Affairs. Helmer holds a BS in business administration and an MBA from the University of New Haven. He is a native of Connecticut, where he currently resides.
Helmer is the firm's founding partner, now retired. His career in the field of philanthropy is an eclectic roster of local and national posts, including foundation and national association chief executive, publisher, grantmaker, spokesperson and fundraiser. This experience provides him a rare perspective that he puts to work in his consulting practice furthering philanthropy, whether advising foundations and organizations or guiding
special projects.
Helmer served as President of the Giving Institute (formerly American Association of Fund-Raising Counsel, AAFRC) and its public service foundation the Giving USA Foundation (formerly AAFRC Trust for Philanthropy). The Giving Institute is the standard setter for ethical practice and professional conduct for fund-raising and philanthropic consulting. In addition, he was publisher of GIVING USA, the authoritative and most quoted report on philanthropy, published annually since 1955.
For ten years he was CEO of one of the nation’s oldest and largest community foundations, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. This followed five years as its Associate Director during which time he served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Program Officer. Helmer also served as a consultant to community foundations for the Council on Foundations’ Organizational Development Program. Prior to that, he organized and served as chief executive for a consortium of United Ways and service agencies in Connecticut. Earlier he had a number of assignments as a YMCA senior director, including field consultant for the National Council of YMCAs.
His various leadership roles have included chair of the National Committee on Community Foundations for the Council on Foundations, chair of the Connecticut Humanities Council, and member of Independent Sector’s GIVE FIVE National Advisory Committee, the Council on Foundations Program on Family Philanthropy Resource Materials and Programs Working Group, and the World Fund-Raising Council CEO Group.
Helmer is an experienced facilitator and trainer. He is trained in the Technology of Participation method of group facilitation as developed by the Institute of Cultural Affairs. Helmer holds a BS in business administration and an MBA from the University of New Haven. He is a native of Connecticut, where he currently resides.
Sheryl Aikman, Consultant
Sheryl joined the firm in 2021. She led asset development, planned giving, advisor and affiliate relations, and nonprofit fundholder services at The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina for over 21 years. In her last 5 years at the foundation, her work resulted in $136 million in contributions and creation of over 400 charitable funds, gift annuity, trust and expectancy agreements.
Her volunteer roles have included service to AdNet (Advancement Network for Community Foundations), the Council on Foundations, the North Carolina Planned Giving Council, and the Land of Sky Estate Planning Council. For eight years, Sheryl served as a peer reviewer for the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, conducting rigorous policy, program and operational accreditation assessments. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Davidson College and holds a masters degree in Management of Nonprofit Organizations from Case Western Reserve University. She is also a consultant with Charitable Solutions, LLC and the Heaton Smith Group.
Sheryl joined the firm in 2021. She led asset development, planned giving, advisor and affiliate relations, and nonprofit fundholder services at The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina for over 21 years. In her last 5 years at the foundation, her work resulted in $136 million in contributions and creation of over 400 charitable funds, gift annuity, trust and expectancy agreements.
Her volunteer roles have included service to AdNet (Advancement Network for Community Foundations), the Council on Foundations, the North Carolina Planned Giving Council, and the Land of Sky Estate Planning Council. For eight years, Sheryl served as a peer reviewer for the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, conducting rigorous policy, program and operational accreditation assessments. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Davidson College and holds a masters degree in Management of Nonprofit Organizations from Case Western Reserve University. She is also a consultant with Charitable Solutions, LLC and the Heaton Smith Group.
Erika Seth Davies, Consultant
Erika joined the firm in 2019. She is the founder of The Racial Equity Asset Lab. She has been a nonprofit leader for 20 years with extensive experience in development and fundraising, program design, collaboration and partnership management, and racial equity advocacy. In the field of philanthropy, she served as the Chief of Staff of the Baltimore Community Foundation and Vice President of External Affairs at ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities. While at ABFE, Ms. Davies engaged in extensive efforts to advance the field on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. She designed the SMART Investing initiative, the first philanthropic effort to incorporate a racial equity lens in foundation endowment practice through increased access to foundation endowments for minority- and women-owned investment management firms. She authored white papers promoting policies and practice in support of this approach, including Foundation Investment Management Practices: Thoughts on Alpha and Access for the Field and Diverse Managers: Philanthropy’s Next Hurdle. Ms. Davies also managed Leverage the Trust, a national initiative to identify and support black trustees of foundation in advancing racial equity within their institutions, and Catalyzing Community Giving Institute, a project aimed at increasing strategic giving among black Greek-letter organizations, professional and civic organizations.
She was a member of the inaugural class of the ABFE Connecting Leaders Fellowship program, a recipient of the NYU Wagner School of Public Service IGNITE Fellowship for Women of Color in the Social Sector, and a member of the class of 2017 for Executive Leadership Institute of CFLeads. Ms. Davies enjoys volunteering as a member of the Impact Hub Baltimore Advisory Board and with grassroots organizations in Baltimore providing development and fundraising assistance. She earned a B.A. in English and Certificate of African Studies from Georgetown University.
Erika joined the firm in 2019. She is the founder of The Racial Equity Asset Lab. She has been a nonprofit leader for 20 years with extensive experience in development and fundraising, program design, collaboration and partnership management, and racial equity advocacy. In the field of philanthropy, she served as the Chief of Staff of the Baltimore Community Foundation and Vice President of External Affairs at ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities. While at ABFE, Ms. Davies engaged in extensive efforts to advance the field on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. She designed the SMART Investing initiative, the first philanthropic effort to incorporate a racial equity lens in foundation endowment practice through increased access to foundation endowments for minority- and women-owned investment management firms. She authored white papers promoting policies and practice in support of this approach, including Foundation Investment Management Practices: Thoughts on Alpha and Access for the Field and Diverse Managers: Philanthropy’s Next Hurdle. Ms. Davies also managed Leverage the Trust, a national initiative to identify and support black trustees of foundation in advancing racial equity within their institutions, and Catalyzing Community Giving Institute, a project aimed at increasing strategic giving among black Greek-letter organizations, professional and civic organizations.
She was a member of the inaugural class of the ABFE Connecting Leaders Fellowship program, a recipient of the NYU Wagner School of Public Service IGNITE Fellowship for Women of Color in the Social Sector, and a member of the class of 2017 for Executive Leadership Institute of CFLeads. Ms. Davies enjoys volunteering as a member of the Impact Hub Baltimore Advisory Board and with grassroots organizations in Baltimore providing development and fundraising assistance. She earned a B.A. in English and Certificate of African Studies from Georgetown University.
Brian Frederick, Consultant
Brian Frederick joined the firm in 2018. He served nineteen years as President/CEO of the Community Foundation of Lorain County (OH) for 1998 through 2017, growing the organization increasing assets by 130% and the number of endowed funds to 620, a 200% increase. During his tenure, the Foundation awarded $80 million in grants and scholarships and earned an international reputation for innovation and excellence. Brian currently serves on the Board of the Kansas Association of Community Foundations and is a co-founder of My Lasting Legacy, an online platform for storing and sharing inspirational donor stories.
Among Brian’s many accomplishments he was: Chair of the Fund for Our Economic Future, a regional philanthropic collaborative that pooled more than $110 million over twelve years to transform the regional economy; Chair of the Midwest Community Foundation Ventures, a four-state collaboration of community foundations to identify and develop innovative and value-added products and services to the field; and Founding Board member and Governance Chair of the National Standards Board for U.S. Community Foundations.
Brian was the 2013 recipient of the Ohio Philanthropy Award, 2014 recipient of the Eric Nord Award for Excellence in Leadership, and 2016 recipient of the Michael G Shinn award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Philanthropy (the Community Foundation of Lorain County). He earned a Masters in Social Work from Western Michigan University.
Brian Frederick joined the firm in 2018. He served nineteen years as President/CEO of the Community Foundation of Lorain County (OH) for 1998 through 2017, growing the organization increasing assets by 130% and the number of endowed funds to 620, a 200% increase. During his tenure, the Foundation awarded $80 million in grants and scholarships and earned an international reputation for innovation and excellence. Brian currently serves on the Board of the Kansas Association of Community Foundations and is a co-founder of My Lasting Legacy, an online platform for storing and sharing inspirational donor stories.
Among Brian’s many accomplishments he was: Chair of the Fund for Our Economic Future, a regional philanthropic collaborative that pooled more than $110 million over twelve years to transform the regional economy; Chair of the Midwest Community Foundation Ventures, a four-state collaboration of community foundations to identify and develop innovative and value-added products and services to the field; and Founding Board member and Governance Chair of the National Standards Board for U.S. Community Foundations.
Brian was the 2013 recipient of the Ohio Philanthropy Award, 2014 recipient of the Eric Nord Award for Excellence in Leadership, and 2016 recipient of the Michael G Shinn award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Philanthropy (the Community Foundation of Lorain County). He earned a Masters in Social Work from Western Michigan University.
William Generett Jr., J.D., Consultant
William (Bill) Generett Jr., J.D. joined the firm in 2018. He currently serves as the Vice President for Civic Engagement and External Relations at Duquesne University. In this role, he provides leadership in support of the University's mission of service and its commitment to the city of Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania, the nation, and Duquesne’s outreach to the world. Bill facilitates and develops relationships with local and national community organizations, governments, and civic organizations, strengthening the University's partnerships with its neighbors and oversees the University’s government affairs function. Bill most recently served as the inaugural President and CEO of Urban Innovation21, a regional public-private economic development partnership that links successful innovation economy clusters with the needs and assets of underserved, inner city communities to produce local, living and sustainable economies. Under Bill’s leadership, Urban Innovation21 has been recognized nationally and internationally for its work to connect Pittsburgh’s underserved communities and their residents to the greater metropolitan Pittsburgh region’s most successful innovation ecosystems. Bill has a lifelong commitment to rectifying America’s embedded structural inequalities of wealth aggregation, mobility and opportunity, serving as Pro Bono Counsel for the MAPA Group’s non-profit initiatives as well as being a co-founder of the 1worker1vote movement.
A Pittsburgh native, Bill has served as an entrepreneur, nonprofit executive, corporate executive, attorney, and teacher. Bill is a graduate of Emory University School of Law, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College, and is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the state of Georgia. He is a very active member of the community where he serves through several nonprofit boards and advisory committees including The Pittsburgh Foundation, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Mercy Health Systems, Pittsburgh Economic and Industrial Development Corporation, Innovation Works, The Heinz Endowments African American Male Initiative and the Business Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland to name a few. In 2014, Bill was appointed by President Barack Obama to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In 2016, he was selected as a BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies) fellow. In 2017, Bill was awarded an honorary doctorate from Carlow University. In 2018, he was appointed by Governor Tom Wolf to the Benjamin Franklin Technology Development Authority Board.
William (Bill) Generett Jr., J.D. joined the firm in 2018. He currently serves as the Vice President for Civic Engagement and External Relations at Duquesne University. In this role, he provides leadership in support of the University's mission of service and its commitment to the city of Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania, the nation, and Duquesne’s outreach to the world. Bill facilitates and develops relationships with local and national community organizations, governments, and civic organizations, strengthening the University's partnerships with its neighbors and oversees the University’s government affairs function. Bill most recently served as the inaugural President and CEO of Urban Innovation21, a regional public-private economic development partnership that links successful innovation economy clusters with the needs and assets of underserved, inner city communities to produce local, living and sustainable economies. Under Bill’s leadership, Urban Innovation21 has been recognized nationally and internationally for its work to connect Pittsburgh’s underserved communities and their residents to the greater metropolitan Pittsburgh region’s most successful innovation ecosystems. Bill has a lifelong commitment to rectifying America’s embedded structural inequalities of wealth aggregation, mobility and opportunity, serving as Pro Bono Counsel for the MAPA Group’s non-profit initiatives as well as being a co-founder of the 1worker1vote movement.
A Pittsburgh native, Bill has served as an entrepreneur, nonprofit executive, corporate executive, attorney, and teacher. Bill is a graduate of Emory University School of Law, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College, and is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the state of Georgia. He is a very active member of the community where he serves through several nonprofit boards and advisory committees including The Pittsburgh Foundation, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Mercy Health Systems, Pittsburgh Economic and Industrial Development Corporation, Innovation Works, The Heinz Endowments African American Male Initiative and the Business Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland to name a few. In 2014, Bill was appointed by President Barack Obama to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In 2016, he was selected as a BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies) fellow. In 2017, Bill was awarded an honorary doctorate from Carlow University. In 2018, he was appointed by Governor Tom Wolf to the Benjamin Franklin Technology Development Authority Board.
Tony Macklin, CAP®, Senior Consultant
Tony joined the firm in 2016. He also is an independent consultant helping donor families, grantmakers, and their advisors and associations answer questions about purpose, use of resources, action planning, and learning. He is a frequent presenter and facilitator at conferences and on webinars.
He previously served four years as executive director of the Roy A. Hunt Foundation, a multi-generational family foundation based in Pittsburgh. While there, he facilitated a 2020 visioning process and changes in investment management, impact investing, grantmaking, trustee education, and back-office management. His dozen years at the Central Indiana Community Foundation included: helping entrepreneurs and families close and launch charitable funds and foundations, developing and leading grantmaking programs and community initiatives, attracting $39 million in co-investments and funds, and co-founding a social enterprise. Before that, he managed financing and capacity building programs for the Indiana Department of Commerce.
Based in Detroit, Tony is a member of the National Network for Consultants to Grantmakers and the Purposeful Planning Institute. He currently serves as a senior consultant with the National Center for Family Philanthropy, senior advisor to the Impact Finance Center, and peer reviewer for the Foundation Review. He earned the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® designation from the American College, a Masters in Music from Butler University, and a B.A. from Manchester College.
Tony joined the firm in 2016. He also is an independent consultant helping donor families, grantmakers, and their advisors and associations answer questions about purpose, use of resources, action planning, and learning. He is a frequent presenter and facilitator at conferences and on webinars.
He previously served four years as executive director of the Roy A. Hunt Foundation, a multi-generational family foundation based in Pittsburgh. While there, he facilitated a 2020 visioning process and changes in investment management, impact investing, grantmaking, trustee education, and back-office management. His dozen years at the Central Indiana Community Foundation included: helping entrepreneurs and families close and launch charitable funds and foundations, developing and leading grantmaking programs and community initiatives, attracting $39 million in co-investments and funds, and co-founding a social enterprise. Before that, he managed financing and capacity building programs for the Indiana Department of Commerce.
Based in Detroit, Tony is a member of the National Network for Consultants to Grantmakers and the Purposeful Planning Institute. He currently serves as a senior consultant with the National Center for Family Philanthropy, senior advisor to the Impact Finance Center, and peer reviewer for the Foundation Review. He earned the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® designation from the American College, a Masters in Music from Butler University, and a B.A. from Manchester College.
Angela G. Powers, CFRE
Angela brings more than 35 years experience in development, communications, marketing and senior executive management. Angela’s career in philanthropy has included positions in health, museum and performing arts, higher education, and one of the nation’s oldest and largest community foundations. Angela is also Senior Vice President for Planning and Operations for the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven. Before that she served as founding president and CEO of the Valley Community Foundation in Connecticut. Working with the Foundation’s Board of Directors, Angela led all aspects of this new foundation as it developed and grew philanthropy in the region.
Prior to joining Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates, Angela was Acting Director of the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven while simultaneously serving as Director of Development and Communications. During her eight years at the foundation, average total giving more than doubled and the foundation was transformed from a low-profile grantmaker to a prominent regional leader in philanthropy. Earlier in her career, Angela was Director of the annual development program at Quinnipiac University and its School
of Law, directed the membership and development activities of the DeCordova and Dana Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and was a chapter program coordinator for the March of Dimes of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Angela also spent two years living
and working in Greece.
Angela is a frequent presenter at conferences including the New England Association of Healthcare Philanthropy, Independent Sector, Council on Foundations, Association of Fundraising Professionals, and the Connecticut Planned Giving Group. She was
a founding member of ADNET, the national forum of community foundation development professionals. Angela earned her BA from Fairfield University and is a Certified Fundraising Executive.
Angela brings more than 35 years experience in development, communications, marketing and senior executive management. Angela’s career in philanthropy has included positions in health, museum and performing arts, higher education, and one of the nation’s oldest and largest community foundations. Angela is also Senior Vice President for Planning and Operations for the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven. Before that she served as founding president and CEO of the Valley Community Foundation in Connecticut. Working with the Foundation’s Board of Directors, Angela led all aspects of this new foundation as it developed and grew philanthropy in the region.
Prior to joining Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates, Angela was Acting Director of the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven while simultaneously serving as Director of Development and Communications. During her eight years at the foundation, average total giving more than doubled and the foundation was transformed from a low-profile grantmaker to a prominent regional leader in philanthropy. Earlier in her career, Angela was Director of the annual development program at Quinnipiac University and its School
of Law, directed the membership and development activities of the DeCordova and Dana Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and was a chapter program coordinator for the March of Dimes of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Angela also spent two years living
and working in Greece.
Angela is a frequent presenter at conferences including the New England Association of Healthcare Philanthropy, Independent Sector, Council on Foundations, Association of Fundraising Professionals, and the Connecticut Planned Giving Group. She was
a founding member of ADNET, the national forum of community foundation development professionals. Angela earned her BA from Fairfield University and is a Certified Fundraising Executive.
Ralph M. Serpe, CFRE, Consultant
Ralph joined the firm in 2016. He is the President & CEO of the Adams County Community Foundation in Pennsylvania. Ralph founded the Unrestricted Asset Development Peer Group, leading 15 community foundation executives through an extensive peer learning and asset building discussion to uncover and put in place successful strategies to raise unrestricted assets. The group has grown to include over 125 community foundations from across the country.
He previously served seven years as Vice President, Development at the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) where he and his team solicited current and legacy gifts for new philanthropic funds, Invest in Baltimore, and the Civic Leadership Fund; built relationships; and garnered support for BCF's vision for Baltimore. He also oversaw the team responsible for BCF's donor services, marketing, communications and its $100 million Campaign for BCF and Baltimore. Prior to joining BCF, Ralph was Executive Vice President of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, and directed professional advisor outreach for Community Foundation Silicon Valley. Before entering the community foundation field, Ralph was with Wells Fargo Bank in California and Chase Manhattan in New York.
He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and member of the York City (PA) General Authority. Ralph is the past president of the Gift Planning Council of New Jersey and the York City (PA) Human Relations Commission.
Ralph joined the firm in 2016. He is the President & CEO of the Adams County Community Foundation in Pennsylvania. Ralph founded the Unrestricted Asset Development Peer Group, leading 15 community foundation executives through an extensive peer learning and asset building discussion to uncover and put in place successful strategies to raise unrestricted assets. The group has grown to include over 125 community foundations from across the country.
He previously served seven years as Vice President, Development at the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) where he and his team solicited current and legacy gifts for new philanthropic funds, Invest in Baltimore, and the Civic Leadership Fund; built relationships; and garnered support for BCF's vision for Baltimore. He also oversaw the team responsible for BCF's donor services, marketing, communications and its $100 million Campaign for BCF and Baltimore. Prior to joining BCF, Ralph was Executive Vice President of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, and directed professional advisor outreach for Community Foundation Silicon Valley. Before entering the community foundation field, Ralph was with Wells Fargo Bank in California and Chase Manhattan in New York.
He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and member of the York City (PA) General Authority. Ralph is the past president of the Gift Planning Council of New Jersey and the York City (PA) Human Relations Commission.
Susan L. Suarez, MBA, CFRE
Susan has been a senior consultant with Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates since 2003. Susan has more than 25 years of experience in the areas of development strategy, major gifts, endowment and capital campaigns, planned giving, corporate giving, grant writing and review, marketing, strategic planning, and board training.
She consults with nonprofit organizations, community foundations and associations on a national basis.
Susan was President of the Community Foundation of Collier County, Florida from 2000 to 2003. In 2002-03,
the foundation had its best fundraising results in its history, receiving more than $13 million in gifts. Prior to moving to Florida, Susan was Vice President of Development and Marketing at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation in California from 1995 to 2000. During her tenure, Susan helped the Foundation become the fastest growing community foundation in the nation, increasing its assets from $50 million in 1995 to more than $500 million, including receiving more than $170 million in new contributions in 1999-2000. Susan also provided fundraising leadership to the successful Housing Trust Fund of Santa Clara County’s $20 million capital campaign.
Prior to working in community foundations, Susan spent several years in fundraising and management at the American Red Cross
in Palo Alto, California. More recently, Susan also served for several years as Executive Director of Eden Services of Florida, a regional service organization based in New Jersey focused on autism. Before entering the nonprofit sector, Susan worked in marketing communications at a high technology company and in economic consulting.
Susan holds B.A. degrees from Stanford University in economics and French and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University. She is
a frequent speaker on philanthropy and fundraising for organizations locally and nationally, including Duke University, Stanford University, the American Association of Medical Colleges, Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy (Warsaw, Poland) and many others. Susan also co-developed the National Marketing Action Team (NMAT) peer-learning group training curriculum for the Council on Foundations and was co-chair of the founding committee on National Standards for Community Foundations. She currently serves as President of the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and serves on committees for Greater Naples Leadership.
Susan has been a senior consultant with Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates since 2003. Susan has more than 25 years of experience in the areas of development strategy, major gifts, endowment and capital campaigns, planned giving, corporate giving, grant writing and review, marketing, strategic planning, and board training.
She consults with nonprofit organizations, community foundations and associations on a national basis.
Susan was President of the Community Foundation of Collier County, Florida from 2000 to 2003. In 2002-03,
the foundation had its best fundraising results in its history, receiving more than $13 million in gifts. Prior to moving to Florida, Susan was Vice President of Development and Marketing at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation in California from 1995 to 2000. During her tenure, Susan helped the Foundation become the fastest growing community foundation in the nation, increasing its assets from $50 million in 1995 to more than $500 million, including receiving more than $170 million in new contributions in 1999-2000. Susan also provided fundraising leadership to the successful Housing Trust Fund of Santa Clara County’s $20 million capital campaign.
Prior to working in community foundations, Susan spent several years in fundraising and management at the American Red Cross
in Palo Alto, California. More recently, Susan also served for several years as Executive Director of Eden Services of Florida, a regional service organization based in New Jersey focused on autism. Before entering the nonprofit sector, Susan worked in marketing communications at a high technology company and in economic consulting.
Susan holds B.A. degrees from Stanford University in economics and French and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University. She is
a frequent speaker on philanthropy and fundraising for organizations locally and nationally, including Duke University, Stanford University, the American Association of Medical Colleges, Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy (Warsaw, Poland) and many others. Susan also co-developed the National Marketing Action Team (NMAT) peer-learning group training curriculum for the Council on Foundations and was co-chair of the founding committee on National Standards for Community Foundations. She currently serves as President of the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and serves on committees for Greater Naples Leadership.
Eleanor Woodward Sacks
Eleanor is a consultant with Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates. She brings an impressive range of experience in research, writing and project management. Eleanor is particularly well-versed in community foundations in the US and internationally. She has conducted studies and written extensively on the subject. As well, Eleanor has experience assisting individual community foundations, directly and through her work as program coordinator of the Council on Foundations Organizational Development Assistance Program (ODA) for community foundations. Eleanor holds a BA and MA in history from the University of Rhode Island.
Publications include:
Eleanor is a consultant with Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates. She brings an impressive range of experience in research, writing and project management. Eleanor is particularly well-versed in community foundations in the US and internationally. She has conducted studies and written extensively on the subject. As well, Eleanor has experience assisting individual community foundations, directly and through her work as program coordinator of the Council on Foundations Organizational Development Assistance Program (ODA) for community foundations. Eleanor holds a BA and MA in history from the University of Rhode Island.
Publications include:
- “2008 Community Foundation Global Status Report,” WINGS-CF, May 2008. Available on www.wingsweb.org
- “Community foundations: Symposium on a global movement. Current issues for the global community foundation movement informed by the knowledge shared and lessons learned at the Symposium in Berlin, Germany, 2-4 December 2004.” May 2006. Available on www.wingsweb.org
- “Community foundations as (local) expressions of global civil society.” A chapter in Bürgerstiftungen in Deutschland – Bilanz und Perspektiven (Community Foundations in Germany – Outcomes and Perspectives. Published in German by: Leske und Budrich. Reihe. Book series: Bürgergesellschaft und Demokratie (vormals Bürgerschaftliches Engagement und Nonprofit-Sektor), Band X. (Civil Society and Democracy, Vol. 10). December 2005.
- “International Connections: Resources that support the growth and development of community foundations globally.” Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmaker Support-Community Foundations (WINGS-CF), October 2005. Available on www.wingsweb.org
- “Serving a Wider Community: Community Foundations’ Use of Geographic Component Funds and Other Strategies and Structures to Cover Territory,” WINGS-CF, May 2002. Available on www.wingsweb.org
- “An International Perspective on the History, Development and Characteristics of Community Foundations,” co-authored with Suzanne L. Feurt. The first chapter in the book Building Philanthropic and Social Capital: The work of community foundations, Bertelsmann Foundation Press, May 2001
- “Building Better Community Foundations: The Organizational Development Assistance Program, 1993-1996.” Council on Foundations, March 1999