In the ever-evolving landscape of nonprofit fundraising, the key to scaling success often lies in the strength of collaboration between nonprofit executives and their financial and operational leaders. In this Orr Group TALKS, we discuss the critical importance of this partnership and explore the specific areas of collaboration that can make or break your campaigns.

Our featured speakers, Russatta Buford, Chief Operating Officer at the Ms. Foundation for Women, and Dominick Impemba, Chief Operating and Finance Officer at The New York Community Trust, are seasoned professionals who have successfully harnessed the potential of this dynamic relationship within their organizations. Viewers will hear their experiences of having worked hand-in-hand with their leadership teams, including CDOs, CEOs, and Board Chairs, to navigate the complexities of fundraising campaigns and achieve remarkable outcomes.

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Discover the strategic significance of aligning with your financial and operational leaders.
• Explore key areas of collaboration where a strong partnership can lead to enhanced campaign success.
• Uncover actionable strategies and best practices that can help you not only launch successful campaigns but also take your fundraising efforts to the next level.

WHO SHOULD WATCH:

• Nonprofit executives and senior staff.
• Current nonprofit board members.
• Donors and investors curious about the financial and operational function of nonprofit entities.

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Russatta Buford, Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Foundation for Women

As Chief Operating Officer, Russatta Buford (she/her) leads the Foundation’s efforts to align its systems and practices (finance, operations, compliance, and human resources) with our core values and the emergent needs of the communities we serve while also supporting the wellbeing and effectiveness of our staff. Before joining our team, Russatta worked at DataKind, Global Health Corps, the Brooklyn Community Foundation, and Teach For America where she expanded organizational capacity by managing operations and strategy. She also possesses experience from the financial services, oil & gas, and manufacturing sectors that she leverages more often than she ever thought possible when leaving the for-profit space.

Russatta holds an MBA from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Florida A&M University. Because she always finds a way to stay busy, she can be found either ambling around the city with her family or volunteering for food justice.

Dominick Impemba, Chief Operating and Finance Officer, The New York Community Trust

Dominick leads the departments handling finance, human resources, information technology, and administration. One of his core functions is financial stewardship of The Trust’s 2,000-plus funds, as well as guiding its investment in new systems, technology, and operations.

Prior to working at The Trust, Dominick was the treasurer and chief financial officer at the Rockefeller Foundation, where he oversaw the organization’s financial planning and reporting, accounting activities, and annual audit. At Rockefeller he also played key roles in risk management, payroll, and benefits. He began with the Rockefeller Foundation in 2010 as controller. Before that, he was an audit senior manager for nonprofit organizations and universities with KPMG LLP, controller at the Institute of International Education, and a manager at Condon O’Meara McGinty and Donnelly, LLP, a firm specializing in not-for-profit organizations. Dominick received a bachelor’s degree from Iona College in 1996 and is a certified public accountant and a chartered global management accountant.

Amanda Nelson, Managing Director, Orr Group

With 20 years of professional fundraising experience, Amanda brings extensive expertise working with large, complex organizations and developing innovative and scalable fundraising solutions. She currently heads the planned giving efforts at Orr Group as well as manages multiple large-scale comprehensive campaigns in partnership with our nonprofit clients.

Amanda most recently served as the Associate Dean of External Affairs at The Columbia University School of Professional Studies. In this role, she oversaw alumni engagement, development, board relations, public relations, and communications. As a member of the Executive Committee, she advised the Dean and peer leaders on strategic outreach, business development, and management decisions. Amanda was with Columbia for five years during tremendous organizational growth. She built and launched the School’s fundraising platform, strategic initiatives, engagement events, board governance and recruitment, industry and University-wide partnerships, in addition to hiring and leading the External Affairs and Dean’s Office teams. Her first professional role was at Orr Group, where she launched her career and passion for the nonprofit sector.