Principal and Founder, Heather D. Hu, is a nonprofit fundraising and management professional with over twenty years of experience. This includes experience with healthcare, education, faith-based, and social service organizations. Heather has worked at Duke University, Baylor College of Medicine, St. Mary’s Medical Center in San Francisco, the PA Heritage Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity of Wake County. She also served as a consultant for seven years with DeLauro and Associates, a nationwide, healthcare development firm based in San Diego, CA. Heather’s work as a consultant, an on-the-ground major gifts fundraiser, and a nonprofit executive has provided a breadth of experience in the industry. Additionally, having lived overseas and around the country, her passion for working with people of diverse backgrounds and her personal calling to serve those marginalized by society fosters an approachable style with tangible results. Heather holds a Master’s in Cross-Cultural Relations from Duke University and Bachelor’s in International Relations and Vocal Performance from Cornell College.

Terri Hegeman is a dynamic, creative, tenacious advancement professional with more than 25 years of higher education and non-profit fundraising experience. As a respected and recognized development professional, she has a keen understanding of all facets of quality fundraising through her work at Triangle United Way, the Office of Advancement at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and as Director of Development for Durham Habitat for Humanity. The majority of her development career has been in major gift work closing six, seven, and eight-figure gifts while significantly increasing donor engagement. She is well-versed in deferred giving vehicles, skillful at all stages of the solicitation cycle, and proficient at fostering partnerships with a range of constituents. She has experience building development programs from the bottom up and is adept at integrating strong interpersonal communication skills with strategic relationship-building acumen and marketing/messaging savvy to accomplish mission-critical outcomes. Terri graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science in Family Relations.

Brianna Pee is a reliable, resourceful, and enthusiastic professional with experience in grant research and management. Brianna graduated from Francis Marion University with a B.S. in Healthcare Admission. Brianna entered the non-profit arena as a Grant Coordinator, where she obtained skills, such as grant research, grant management, survey development and analysis, and program management. From there, she developed a passion for helping non-profit organizations research and secure funding for community development in underserved populations. She enjoys utilizing her God-given wisdom and skills to help non-profit organizations develop sustainability by increasing their knowledge and community awareness and is CEO and Principal Consultant of BEP Agency LLC. 

Marcus McClellan is a strategic thinker with over 10 years working with nonprofits to maximize their efficiency and effectiveness for growth. Marcus’ skills include program management, volunteer management, leadership development, strategic planning, stakeholder management, operations and logistics, and data analysis. He enjoys helping organizations make data-driven decisions to maximize their impact. Marcis earned his Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a concentration in Biblical Studies and his Masters of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Campbell University.

Kris Taft Miller spent 8 years at Walt Disney Feature Animation as a graphic designer, art director, producer, writer, presenter and editor.  Her film credits include Lilo & Stitch, Treasure Planet, Brother Bear, Home on the Range, Chicken Little and Meet the Robinsons. She moved to North Carolina in 2004 to be with her husband, Jeremy and started her own graphic design company, KT Design, LLC, and continues to freelance for Disney as well as a large variety of other clients around the world. Her specialties include e-learning, logos, web and collateral design, book covers and layouts, countless print projects and video editing. 

Shelly Mehra serves diversely rich clients as the founder and President of Kiranaakar, a Technology management and Marketing firm serving nonprofits and small businesses. Shelly relishes a growth-oriented mindset with a passion to serve the underserved. Shelly’s personal life story drives her respect and dreams to serve marginalized women/children. The fundamental reason for her re-entry in the non-profit world is to expand global economic and social sufficiency for minorities. Shelly thrives with more than a decade-long leadership experience in the Technology sector. Her roles ranged from pre-sales in startups to running global programs in multi-national corporations. This includes her experience with education, Finance, Insurance, and social service organizations. Shelly not only credibly supported double-digit growth for big firms like GE, AIG; she also became the shining star of startups like Corcentric and Ipreo. Her “can do” attitude and brand advocacy skills help organizations to achieve record-growth quarters and exceed outreach quotas. Shelly holds a masters degree in Computer Science and a bachelor’s degree in Architecture.