Wendy Burtner-Owens has more than 25 years of experience managing and growing foundations and nonprofit organizations. She has also been an independent consultant to start-up businesses, foundations and nonprofit organizations along the way. She has a strong track record in growing and/or re-aligning organizations by collaboratively setting vision, direction and strategy and leading teams to reach ambitious results while maintaining a coaching and inclusive management style. An articulate and diplomatic communicator, she is comfortable in front of a crowd, individuals and small groups. She is also a successful fundraiser – obtaining individual donations, foundation and government grants from $30 to $3,000,000.
Evie Gardner is a consultant on organizational development and finance at the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management at Robert Morris University. She has teamed with a diverse set of clients on projects ranging from enhancing governance and evaluation practices to diversifying revenues and clarifying organizational strategy. Her integrated approach supports nonprofits as they use data and numbers to drive strategic decision-making. She was the 2012 Heinz Endowments Graduate Fellow and is the President of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Pittsburgh.
Cindy Leonard is Consulting Team Leader at the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management at Robert Morris University. She manages the consulting program and technology program, working with the consulting team to maximize client satisfaction and identify areas for growth. Her own consulting specialty is helping nonprofits leverage technology to meet their missions. In addition to technology assessments, planning and decision support, she specializes in website development on the WordPress platform. Cindy convenes monthly Bagels & Bytes meetups and organizes the annual TechNow conference. She holds a B.S. in computer science, an M.B.A. and a M.Ed. in instructional design technology, all from Seton Hill University.
Susan Loucks is Senior Consultant, Organizational Development and Strategy at the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management at Robert Morris University. A longtime resident of Boston, she has worked as an organizational development consultant for nonprofits independently and with the Human and Institutional Development Forum in Bangalore, India. Particular areas of focus include transitions (e.g. leadership, business model, size), efficiently and effectively involving people in organizational improvements and systems development, and communication/conflict. Susan holds a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College, and a certificate in Grassroots Development and NGO Management from the School for International Training.
Andy Loza has served since 2000 as executive director of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association where he leads public policy efforts, develops technical guidance, and implements technical assistance and education programs. His initiatives include development of PALTA’s model legal documents and the resource collection at ConservationTools.org. His work is informed by seven years as a land trust executive director and in leading land use and environmental planning, conservation, economic development, and trail initiatives for county government.
Warwick Powell, an Executive Service Corps (ESC) management volunteer, has worked with and trained many nonprofit boards to improve their understanding and performance. He is a professional executive coach and has 30 years of experience in business management, with a passion for the environment which he leverages through volunteer work in organizations such as 350 Pittsburgh. He is an accomplished strategy development specialist and skilled facilitator with expertise in facilitation, training, consulting, strategic planning, and Open Space Technology. He is a director of Strategic Management Associates which he founded in 1988. Warwick is a professional Intercultural Trainer. He has visited 46 countries and worked in six of those.
Patricia Pregmon, Esq. is the founding partner of Pregmon Law Offices, a Philadelphia area firm that concentrates its practice on assisting landowners, land trusts and governmental entities to plan, implement and fund conservation projects. She was the primary author of the Pennsylvania Grant of Conservation Easement and Commentary (published in March 2005 and updated annually); the Pennsylvania Model Trail Easement and Commentary; and has crafted the Pennsylvania Model Trail Easement and a variety of other model easements and agreements for government agencies and private organizations to further conservation of scenic and natural resources and promote outdoor recreational use. She has prepared an extensive collection of educational and research materials on various topics related to conservation easements available at ConservationTools.org. Since 1981, she has helped to implement more than 500 conservation projects protecting thousands of acres.
