Benjamin has been an active fund development professional for ten years. As Vice President of Development for Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center he is responsible for providing leadership and direction to the volunteer boards charged with securing private support for the medical center. He has engaged volunteer boards to increase personal giving from volunteer leaders, engage volunteers in solicitation activities and add new members with clear roles, expectation and willingness to contribute to fund development activity. Benjamin is co-chair of the Advocate Charitable Foundation's board-level volunteer leadership task force, which is charged with advancing volunteer engagement in fund development across Advocate’s eleven hospitals. Previously, as Campaign Consultant at YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, Benjamin was responsible for engaging the board in fundraising to secure leadership gifts and bring the campaign to 50% attainment at the end of its first year. Benjamin earned a BA in Political Science from Kalamazoo College and an MA in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University. He is a member of AFP Chicago, ARNOVA, ASCAP and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). He serves as a trustee for the Ravenswood Health Care Foundation.

Gayle is a development professional with over 12 years experience. In her current position, as a Consultant and Board member she identifies opportunities and builds the capacity of nonprofit organizations. Working with nonprofits across the Chicago metro area, she expands organization’s fundraising capacities by empowering Board resource development committees, engaging Board members in role playing activities, and encouraging Board members’ to become organization ambassadors. Her background as an attorney provides a unique perspective on organizational governance issues. Previously, as an Organizational Capacity Building Coach at the Retirement Research Foundation, Gayle enjoyed working with diverse nonprofit Boards. From grassroots to multi million dollar agencies, she connects mission to organizational activities by expanding board members' skills, knowledge and commitment. In this position, she engaged boards in fundraising through, developing the organization’s brand, creating exciting board member planned events, and identifying board members connections to potential donors. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Economics from University of Wisconsin, Madison and a Juris Doctorate from DePaul University, College of Law. She is a past board member and Co-Chair of the Technical Assistance Committee of Chicago Women in Philanthropy.

Barbara has been involved in fundraising for 20 years. In her current position, she is responsible for engaging and empowering Board members and their organization in effective fundraising. Through group workshops and one-on-one facilitations, Barbara builds understanding of the Board roles and responsibilities. She shares best practices that work for each organization and engage staff and Board to work together toward successful fundraising. This includes Board ownership of the budget beyond approval and staff providing support that allows Board members to succeed. Previously, as Consultant at Talisman Associates, Inc., Barbara was responsible for engaging the Board in creating personal solicitation lists, writing annual appeals for organizations and their Board members, creating collateral materials for outreach, writing scripts and talking points for Board members to use when talking about the organization, creating time lines for Board and staff to follow for successful cultivation and solicitation of current and potential donors. She earned BA in Political Science/ History from Case Western Reserve University She is a member of Association of Fundraising Professionals, Professional Women's Club of Chicago.