Dedicated to Inspiring and Connecting Nonprofit Leaders
History & Vision.
Our story begins in 2011 when Sterling Seacrest Pritchard and Truist Nonprofit Leadership teams met to discuss their existing work in the community. The opportunity to enhance leadership dialogue with the Nonprofit community quickly developed and the idea of a conference was born. The first conference was a huge success and the positive feedback confirmed the need to continue the event annually. BoardWalk Consulting joined Sterling Seacrest Pritchard and Truist in 2013 and the partnership continues today. The original steering committee of Kim Anderson, Ann Cramer, Mary Pat Matheson and Allicia Phillip was added shortly thereafter and the event continues to grow in scope and reputation.
From its inception, the conference was focused on providing nonprofit leaders engaging and transformative thought leadership and an opportunity to share ideas and best practices with peers.
Meet Your Hosts.
Adriana Lawton
VP – Commercial Community Bank | Truist
Adriana Lawton is a Vice President and Relationship Manager for the Not-for-Profit & Government banking team at Truist. In her role, she is responsible for coordinating Truist products and services for a diverse set of not-for-profit clients, with a specialty in social service 501c3 organizations.
Prior to becoming a Relationship Manager, Adriana was a Portfolio Manager on the Not-for-Profit credit team at Truist where she was responsible for underwriting a variety of organizations throughout the footprint. Adriana has been with the organization for over 30 years in various roles within the for-profit and non-profit banking divisions.
Kathy Bremer
Managing Director | BoardWalk Consulting
Kathy is the Managing Director of BoardWalk Consulting. She joined BoardWalk Consulting in 2007 after eight years as the Managing Director of Porter Novelli, where she oversaw ten-fold growth.
At BoardWalk, Kathy has led executive searches for ADL, Asia Foundation, The Carter Center, Sierra Club, CDC Foundation, YWCA and Piedmont Park Conservancy and numerous other nonprofits. She has served on or chaired a dozen boards, and is the past president of the International Women’s Forum of Georgia. Kathy has a BA in Sociology from Harvard University and is an alumni interviewer of prospective Harvard students.
Dave Mathews
Partner | Sterling Seacrest Pritchard
Dave Mathews is a Partner with Sterling Seacrest Pritchard where he leads the nonprofit practice group. Dave specializes in and has developed a broad concentration of Nonprofit clients in his 30 + years in the industry. In addition, he lends his expertise to several organizations in advisory and board roles, including the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Camp Twin Lakes, Early Learning Property Management and others. Dave co-founded the Nonprofit Leadership Conference in 2011 with SunTrust (now Truist) and created the Camp Leadership Roundtable in 2017. When not providing his expertise to nonprofits, Dave is designing Risk Management and Insurance programs for corporations in several industries, including Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail, Hospitality and Professional Services.
He holds several industry professional designations and is a Leadership Atlanta Class Alumni (2017). Dave earned his Bachelor of Science from Miami University in 1990. Sterling Seacrest Pritchard is Georgia’s largest insurance brokerage, providing Property & Casualty, Employee Benefits, and personal insurance solutions.
“THANK YOU so much for including me in the leadership summit! It was such a great event and the attendees were truly transfixed on the program and dialog of the panels!.”
— Nonprofit CEO who attended the conference
Our Current Advisory Council.
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Kim Anderson
Principal | Chrysalis Lab
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Mary Pat Matheson
CEO | Atlanta Botanical Gardens
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Lita Pardi
Programs and Knowledge Director | PEAK Grantmaking
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Ann Cramer
Community Leader
The Experience
Hear from our hosts, advisory council, and attendees as they share what the conference means to them and why they attend.