Meet Our Speakers
Meet the bold thinkers and cross-sector changemakers shaping the future of pro bono. IGNITE 2025 speakers bring deep expertise and fresh perspective on how we build a more resilient, equitable, and innovative social sector—together.
DAY ONE SPEAKERS
DAY TWO SPEAKERS
Speaker Bios
Nazanin Ash
CEO, Welcome.US
“Nonprofit Reality Check: What it Will Take to Meet the Moment”
Wednesday, October 22
Nazanin is the founding CEO of Welcome.US, a national initiaive transforming America's camapcity and commitment to welcoming newcomers through civic engagement and storytelling. Since launching in 2021, over 2 million Americans across all 50 states and 17,000 zip codes have welcomed nearly 800,000 newcomers through safe, legal, private sponsorship pathways; transforming futures for themselves, their communities, and the newcomers they've welcomed. With perspective from her multi-sector leadership roles, experience as a first-generation Iranian-American, and deep faith in Americans and America, Welcome.US' work is about the power of collective purpose to solve challenges and heal divides.
Ann Mei Chang
CEO, Candid
“Nonprofit Reality Check: What it Will Take to Meet the Moment”
Wednesday, October 22
Ann Mei Chang is the CEO of Candid, a nonprofit that provides the most comprehensive data about the social sector—where money comes from, where it goes, and why it matters. Ann Mei leads Candid in increasing the social sector's ability to do good using data, technology, and compassion. She is a social innovator and author of “Lean Impact: How to Innovate for Radically Greater Social Good.”
Ann Mei served as chief innovation officer at the U.S. Agency for International Development and executive director of its U.S. Global Development Lab. She was chief innovation officer for Pete for America, chief innovation office at Mercy Corps, and senior advisor for women and technology at the U.S. Department of State. She has more than 20 years of experience at Google, Apple, and Intuit. Ann Mei earned her B.S. in computer science from Stanford University.
Cammie Erickson
Senior Director, Social Impact, LinkedIn
“Bright Spots: Innovation Sparks for the Next Gen Marketplace”
Wednesday, October 22
Bio coming soon.
Joe Fuller
Co-Lead, Managing the Future of Work Project, Harvard Business School
“Next Gen Service: Powered by AI”
Wednesday, October 22
Joseph Fuller is Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School and one of America's leading thinkers on the future of work. Before joining the faculty, he was a founder, first employee and long-time CEO of Monitor Group, the global strategy consulting firm, now Monitor-Deloitte.
Joe’s research focuses on two major topics—the changing nature of work and the evolution of the C-Suite. He founded and co-leads the Managing the Future of Work Project at Harvard Business School that research issues of direct relevance to decision makers in business and government, including the impact of generative AI on the workforce. He co-hosts The Managing the Future of Work podcast that has been downloaded 2.5 million times. He also founded and co-leads Harvard’s Project on the Workforce, a collaboration between the Harvard schools of business, government and education. It studies issues related to lower skilled workers, including career pathways and the causes of income polarization and occupational segregation.
Joe is a widely published author. His work has appeared in periodicals including the Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Washington Post and the New York Times, The Atlantic, The Hill, Politico and Axios. He has appeared on the CBS Evening News, the NBC Evening News, France 24’s Evening Report, and PBS’s Marketplace and CNBC on multiple occasions. His work has been covered extensively in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, The Economist, Yahoo! Business and Fox Business.
“AI Changes Everything: Designing Corporate Pro Bono for a Fast Future'“ & ”Rethink the Business Case for Pro Bono”
Thursday, October 23
Alex Gallafent
Executive Director, IDEO
Allex Gallafent helps shape futures through storytelling, design, and strategic imagination. He's currently a senior leader at IDEO, one of the world's leading design & innovation firms. With roots in journalism (BBC, public radio), a background in theater, improv, and performance, and a grounding in analytic philosophy, Alex navigates ambiguity through curiosity and interrogates orthodoxies with healthy skepticism. At IDEO, he's helped shape the firm's approach to climate-centered design and the emerging relationship between people and AI.
Ian Goldsmith
Chief AI Officer, Benevity
“Next Gen Service: Powered by AI”
Wednesday, October 22
Ian Goldsmith is a seasoned product executive with more than 30 years of experience in product and data leadership. He believes AI isn’t just a feature but a transformative force that belongs at the heart of a company’s strategy. At Benevity, Goldsmith leads the strategic deployment of artificial intelligence throughout Benevity's Enterprise Impact Platform, leveraging AI-powered analytics and generative AI to create transformative, scalable solutions that help companies realize greater business and societal value from their purpose initiatives.
Prior to joining Benevity, Goldsmith held senior leadership roles at MeridianLink, Waycare, and Akana where he honed his advanced AI strategy development for global brands while staying committed to responsible AI innovation and continuous learning. His work has delivered meaningful change with thoughtful integration of AI capabilities in product, data, and user experience across industries including technology, finance, and transportation. Goldsmith holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge.
Alethea Hannemann
Founder, Board.dev
“Bright Spots: Innovation Sparks for the Next Gen Marketplace”
Wednesday, October 22
Alethea Hannemann (co-founder and CEO, Board.dev) has extensive expertise in cross-sector collaboration, including building standard-setting programs at the Taproot Foundation, the nonprofit capacity builder that has delivered $100M in critical services to nonprofits and social enterprises around the world, and launching Taproot+, the first online marketplace for skills-based volunteering. She has also served as strategic advisor to social impact teams at companies like Okta, Google, and Splunk, and as COO of a $25M food access nonprofit. With co-founder Aaron Hurst, she wrote Powered by Pro Bono. Alethea started her career writing technical and product content in Boston and Silicon Valley, bridging the gap between brilliant engineers and the people who used their products. Alethea has served on three nonprofit boards.
Leslie Hardy
Director, Inclusion & Belonging, Pinterest
“Trust & Connection: Today’s Critical Currencies”
Thursday, October 23
Leslie Hardy is Director of Inclusion & Belonging (I&B) at Pinterest, where she leads strategic programming for the Inclusion & Belonging team with a focus on community proximity. In partnership with the Chief I&B Officer, she designs proximity‑informed initiatives, strengthens listening mechanisms, and builds trust‑based local partnerships that bring Pinterest closer to employees, creators, and Pinners. Her work advances equity operations across business and people strategies, shapes an inclusive brand and culture, and drives outcomes in organizational health, belonging, and community engagement. Leslie steers cross‑functional efforts across People, Business Affairs, Social Impact, Brand and Product teams to realize Pinterest’s global inclusion, equity, and wellbeing priorities.
Before Pinterest, Leslie led DEIB strategy at Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Danaher), where she built and executed the equity strategy and diversity roadmap for 11,000+ associates worldwide. Previously, she served as Program Manager in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Cleveland Clinic, advocating for a multinational workforce and forging external partnerships to reduce health disparities and improve patient outcomes. Her healthcare background spans hospital and program administration, health policy and community engagement, advocacy and outreach, and the pharmaceutical sector.
Leslie holds a BS in Health Sciences from Howard University and an MS in Health Policy and Management from The New School. A champion of accessible wellbeing, she is a 200‑hour registered yoga teacher (Cleveland Clinic School of Yoga) and health and wellbeing coach (Duke Integrative Medicine). She serves on the Taproot Foundation board and lives in the greater Washington, DC area with her family.
Lyndsay Harris Kyei
Vice President of Global Impact and Sustainability, ServiceNow
Welcoming Remarks
Wednesday, October 22
Bio coming soon.
Alex Heath
Managing Director & Head of Social Impact and Sustainability Practice, Edelman
“Trust & Connection: Today's Critical Currencies”
Thursday, October 23
Alex Heath, U.S. Head of Social Impact & Sustainability, works at the nexus of social impact, climate, sustainability, and strategic communicaitons. At Edelman, he has led impact-driven programs for clients including American Express, Dow, PepsiCo Foundation, Samsung, and others. His work blends strategy, creativity, and cross-sector collaboration to help organizations deliver meaningful change.
His career began in the Peace Corps in Thailand, where he focused on community development, before joining MTV EXIT to produce behavior-change campaigns and partnerships across Asia. Since then, Alex has partnered with hundreds of nonprofits, foundations, and multilateral organizations across four continents, helping to advance sustainability and social impact initiatives.
A Coro Leadership New York alum, Alex also serves on the Board of FUSE Corps, a nonprofit that partners with local governments to address pressing social challenges. He is a frequent speaker at sustainability, leadership, and impact forums, sharing insights on how business, philanthropy, and civil society can work together to drive systemic change.
Alex holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and a BA from Marywood University, where he played varsity basketball. His journey reflects a deep commitment to purpose-driven work, bridging corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors to build resilient communities and advance climate solutions.
Shaista Keating
VP of Hardware, TechSoup
“AI Changes Everything: Designing Corporate Pro Bono for a Fast Future”
Thursday, October 23
Shaista T. Keating is a Vice President at TechSoup and an expert in technology strategy. She has been a management consultant in the academic, public, private, and non-profit sectors. Shaista was an executive at Arcasun, a senior manager at Accenture, and a research fellow at the Institute for Strategic Change focused on information and communication technology innovation. Having worked with the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland and taught at Georgetown University and the University of South Africa, Shaista has worked effectively in diverse environments around the world. She was selected as a Fulbright scholar and served on the American Embassy School Board in New Delhi, India. Shaista completed an undergraduate degree in mathematics at the University of California, Los Angeles, a Master of Science degree in international trade at Georgetown University, and a post graduate study in internet law at Harvard University.
Shaista enjoys volunteering for the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Partnership Fund, Skidmore College President’s Council, and Williams College’s Parent Fund Committee. Shaista loves to scuba dive, sail, and sing. She cherishes spending time with family and friends. Shaista resides in the D.C. Metro area with her husband, Dominic, and daughters, Summer and Sophia.
Matt Klein
Chief Program & Impact Officer, Robin Hood Foundation
“Nonprofit Reality Check: What it Will Take to Meet the Moment”
Wednesday, October 22
Matthew Klein is the Chief Program & Impact Officer of Robin Hood Foundation, where he oversees the Grant Strategy, Public Policy, Management Acceleration and Measurement & Learning teams. From 2014 through 2021, he served as Executive Director of the NYC Mayor's Office for Economic Opportunity, a 60-person unit that helps the City of New York use evidence and innovation to identify and grow effective anti-poverty programs, practices and policies. Previously, Matt served as the first Executive Director of Blue Ridge Foundation New York, a philanthropic fund that later merged with Robin Hood as Blue Ridge Labs. He has served on numerous nonprofit and civic boards. Matt is a graduate of Yale Law School, Yale College, and the Boston Public Schools. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and twin daughters.
Bei Ling
Head of Human Resources, Wells Fargo
“The Future of Skilled Service”
Wednesday, October 22
Bei Ling leads Human Resources for Wells Fargo and serves on the Wells Fargo Operating Committee. She is responsible for all aspects of the company's human capital strategy. Bei and her team work closely with leaders across Wells Fargo's global footprint to build a world-class culture and foster an inclusive environment committed to attracting, developing, engaging, and retaining the best talent.
Before joining Wells Fargo in 2021, Bei was managing director and global head of Talent Development and Total Rewards at JPMorgan Chase. She was accountable for driving strategy and implementation across global functions, including leadership development and succession planning, learning, career development, compensation, benefits, and workforce data and analytics. At the same time, she was head of Human Resources for the Commercial Bank, leading end-to-end human capital strategy and programs for the business.
Bei previously was deputy head of Human Resources at PNC Financial Services and co-chaired PNC's Management Committee. She led multiple large-scale HR initiatives, including the PNC/National City merger and a redesign of the bank’s talent programs. She also held a variety of Human Resources and Global Finance roles at Merrill Lynch.
A graduate of Beijing University in China, Bei earned her master’s degree in business administration from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. She serves on the Corporate Advisory Board for USC Marshall.
Diego Mariscal
CEO, 2-Gether International
“Nonprofit Spotlight: Today's Urgent Needs”
Thursday, October 23
A trailblazer at the intersection of disability advocacy and entrepreneurship, Diego Mariscal is the Founder and CEO of 2Gether-International (2GI), the largest 501c3 non-profit and global startup accelerator run by and for entrepreneurs with disabilities. Under Diego's leadership, 2GI has supported over 700 startups, helping them raise approximately $84 million USD in combined investment, revenue, and acquisitions. Diego has overseen strategic collaborations with governmental organizations, as well as corporate partnerships with Comcast NBCUniversal, IDB Lab, JPMorgan Chase, among many others. He currently serves on the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission's Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee.
Elaine Mason
Chief Strategy Officer, Taproot Foundation
"The Future of Skilled Service”
Wednesday, October 22
Elaine Mason is a forward-thinking strategy and human resources executive, known for driving transformational change and building a sense of purpose and connection within organizations. She is currently acting as a fractional Chief Strategy Officer at the Taproot Foundation, where she is helping the organization rethink its strategy to stay impactful and relevant in the AI era. In this role, she is also creating a research and foresight function to ensure the future of work includes pro bono.
Prior to her work at Taproot, Elaine has held senior leadership positions at major corporations including Cisco, American Express, and Paramount Global. A recognized industry thought leader, Elaine has been published and invited to speak at leading conferences on topics such as the future of work, people analytics, and the business implications of AI.
In addition to her executive career, she has advised startups including GrowthQ and Imperative, is currently on the Founding Board of the Chamber of Connection and served as a Board Member for the Taproot Foundation and Achieve Mission.
Elaine holds a Master of Science in Organization Development from Pepperdine University and lives in New York with her partner, Tim and their dog, Magnolia.
Ellen McGirt
Editor-in-Chief, Design Observer
“Reimagining Systems Through Design”
Wednesday, October 22
Bio coming soon.
Susan McPherson
Founder, McPherson Strategies
“Trust & Connection: Today’s Critical Currencies”
Thursday, October 23
Bio coming soon.
Archana Menon
Managing Consultant, Taproot Foundation
Day 2 Emcee
Thursday, October 23
Bio coming soon.
Fred Riley
Executive Director, Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute
“The Future of Skilled Service”
Wednesday, October 22
Bio coming soon.
Naria Santa Lucia
General Manager, Digital Inclusion and Community Engagement, Microsoft
“Next Gen Service: Powered by AI”
Wednesday, October 22
Naria K. Santa Lucia offers over 20 years of leading high-performing teams and organizations to deliver education and workforce development, corporate social responsibility, and legal aid programs. She has successfully collaborated and partnered with numerous educational and workforce development organizations, including private sector partners, United Nations agencies, the World Bank, and other nonprofit and intergovernmental organizations, as well as public sector partners such as ministries of education, workforce, and higher education systems around the world
Naria has also managed the significant growth and transformation of corporate organizations and teams and nonprofit organizations by recruiting and motivating board members, cultivating talent and nurturing high-performance mindsets, developing key partnerships and strategic connections with corporate and philanthropic partners, and engaging in comprehensive program assessment, development, and expansion. She has led extensive capacity building and resource development activities, raising millions of dollars in public and private funds for various programs.
Currently, Naria serves as the General Manager of Elevate at Microsoft Corporation, where she is responsible for leading education, workforce development, and skilling programs and investments, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and sustainability training, reaching over 100 million learners. Naria has also designed, developed, and managed innovative Career Essentials Certificates with LinkedIn Learning on a range of topics.
Yolanda Seals-Coffield
Chief People Officer, PwC
“The Future of Skilled Service”
Wednesday, October 22
Yolanda Seals-Coffield is PwC US Chief People & Inclusion Officer. As a principal with the firm for over 14 years, she's worked across every aspect of the employee experience.
In 2022, Yolanda launched My+, the firm's biggest and boldest reimagination of its people experience. Today, she continues to lead efforts to modernize how people grow and thrive at PwC—using technology and a culture of care to drive skill development, well-being and inclusion across the firm's talent strategy.
Before joining the [US Leadership Team], she served as the firm's Chief Employement Counsel and president of the PwC Foundation.
Her JD is from the Boston University School of Law, where she was a Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellow and a staff editor of the Public Interest Law Journal. Her BA is from Howard University.
Cat Ward
CEO, Taproot Foundation
Day 1 Emcee
Wednesday, October 22
Cat Ward is the Chief Executive Officer of Taproot, where she is leading the charge to redefine and scale the pro bono movement. Under her leadership, Taproot is advancing a next-generation pro bono marketplace—integrating artificial intelligence, skills-first approaches, and cross-sector collaboration to equip nonprofits with the capacity they need at a moment of historic demand. Her career has spanned leadership roles across sectors at organizations like Jobs for the Future (JFF) and the City of New York.
A nationally recognized voice on the future of work, service, and nonprofit capacity building, Cat writes a regular column for Forbes on leadership and purpose in fast-changing times, and her perspectives have been featured in Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company. She speaks frequently on how pro bono and skilled service build critical professional skills, strengthen workforce resilience, and help nonprofits adopt emerging technologies to drive social impact.
Talia Young
CEO, Newark Symphony Hall
“Nonprofit Spotlight: Today's Urgent Needs”
Thursday, October 23
Talia L. Young is a dynamic businesswoman and social impact strategist with nearly two decades of experience spanning entrepreneurship, federal policy, and economic development. As CEO of Newark Symphony Hall, New Jersey’s largest Black-led arts institution, Young has secured $11.9 million in state funding to restore and revitalize the historic venue, while boldly reimagining its role in community transformation.
In 2023, she was named New Jersey Resident of the Year by the American Institute of Architects for her leadership in cultural preservation. A passionate entrepreneur, Young founded Space 2 Create, a woman-led nonprofit focused on economic equity in communities of color, and THE 725 STANDARD, a planning and brand experience firm.
Her past roles include Vice President at City National Bank of NJ—where she helped expand access to capital in underserved communities—and Senior Project and Policy Manager to the late U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, leading on issues of economic and urban development.
Young has produced cultural events like BLACK SANTAS WORKSHOP and JUNE-TEE, celebrating Black economic excellence. A Hofstra University alumna with a certificate in Creative Placemaking from NJIT, she lives in West Orange, NJ, with her two children.
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