SPEAKERS

BETH BRODOVSKY, Event Host

President, Iris Creative

For 36 years Beth Brodovsky, president of Iris Creative, has believed that brand thinking is the key to connecting your mission to your marketing. Before launching Iris in 1996, Beth led the creative team at medical publisher ECRI, developing a family of brands, design and promotion for more than forty educational products. Supporting nonprofits, governments and small businesses, Beth is driven to help organizations focus so their marketing efforts achieve the biggest impact the fastest. Beth speaks and trains nationally to help build the skills of everyone trying to make the best choices for marketing today.

ARTURO RAGO, Keynote Speaker

Brand and Design Lead, UNICEF

For over ten years, Arturo has used design and creativity to help organizations tell their story — from global giants like UNICEF, Canva Foundation and the WEF to small but mighty nonprofits like ICAN, National Justice Project and Principles for Peace.

Nothing lights him up more than helping organizations find their voice and connect with their audience: whether it's crafting a brand's identity, designing a website or an impactful campaign, Arturo believes design can and should inspire people to act.

When he’s not immersed in design, you’ll likely find him exploring new corners of the world, taking drone shots, trying his hand at a new language or enjoying a good meditation session.

JANICE BABINEAU

Senior Director of Digital Communications, Canadian Red Cross

Janice Babineau leads the Digital Communications team at the Canadian Red Cross, where she brings over 20 years of experience using digital storytelling to connect people with purpose. An experienced communicator, she specializes in social media, storytelling, and community engagement—connecting people and purpose through digital strategy and meaningful content.

SARAH BARKER

Vice President, Brand, Marketing and Communications, Special Olympics Canada

Sarah Barker is a seasoned marketing and communications leader with nearly 20 years of experience building bold, purpose-driven brands. As Vice President of Brand, Marketing, and Communications at Special Olympics Canada, she led the Cannes-shortlisted “Joy is Gold” campaign, which drove a 501% increase in global viewership for the 2025 World Winter Games. Sarah previously served as Chief Marketing Officer at the True Patriot Love Foundation, where she launched the national “Remastered Memories” campaign, and as Interim Head of Marketing and Communications for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, helping secure a successful bid and major government support. She also held senior roles at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Foundation and the Canadian Women’s Foundation, and is an active speaker, volunteer, and member of the Canadian Marketing Association.

STEPHANIE COSTA

President & CEO, Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP)

Stephanie Costa is a dedicated nonprofit leader with expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and organizational development. As President & CEO of New England Village in Pembroke, MA, she strengthened community partnerships and elevated the organization's reputation in services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With prior leadership experience at MassHealth and Newport Mental Health, she has shaped human service programs and expanded outreach strategies. Stephanie holds a Master’s in Public Health from UMass Amherst and now serves as the President & CEO of the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP), advocating for human service programs and helping nonprofits build strong, recognizable brands.

NAHIJEE CROSS

Marketing & Communications Manager, Philadelphia Youth Basketball

Nahijee Cross is the Marketing and Communications Manager at Philadelphia Youth Basketball, where his journey began over six years ago as an intern. Since then, he has steadily risen through the ranks to lead the organization’s branding, storytelling, and digital engagement efforts—all aimed at amplifying PYB’s mission to empower youth through the transformative power of sport

NICOLE DANESI

Senior Manager, Communications and Brand, CanadaHelps

Nicole Danesi is Senior Manager, Strategic Communications and Brand at CanadaHelps, the country’s largest online donation and fundraising platform which has been used by nearly 5 million Canadians to give more than $3.5 billion to thousands of charities including shelters, food banks, arts, health, or environment organizations. Joining as an intern in 2014, Nicole has been involved in CanadaHelps’ astronomical trajectory, helping to raise more than $438 million in 2024 through the platform, and over the last year, she led the organization's rebranding, which launched in June 2025. Nicole was named a 2025 Emerging Leader by The Peak and is a CivicAction DiverseCity Fellow.

SARA FALCONER

Director of Brand and Communications, Canadian Hearing Services

Sara Falconer is a strategic communications leader with over twenty years of experience building innovative campaigns that drive tangible impact toward social change. She has shaped cutting-edge strategies for a diverse range of non-profit organizations, including Canadian Hearing Services, Canadian Red Cross, Leadnow, McGill University Health Centre Foundation, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Oxfam and WWF. Her expertise spans across communications, fundraising, advocacy, branding, research, and digital transformation projects. At this conference, she will share insights on brand engagement, breaking down barriers internally, and the power of storytelling to inspire action.

ROB FEINBERG

Chief Marketing, Sales, and Communications Officer, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

Rob Feinberg is the Chief Marketing, Sales, and Communications Officer at PHS, where he amplifies the organization’s programs, events, and impact. A marketing and advertising leader with nearly 20 years of experience, he has driven award-winning, multi-platform campaigns for iconic brands like Netflix, Gucci, Dyson, and Disney+. Before PHS, Rob led branded content at Condé Nast, worked on major events like the Met Gala and MTV Video Music Awards, and helped relaunch TRL. He began his career at the watsons agency, crafting campaigns for clients like Whole Foods and Madison Square Garden. A Philadelphia native who spent 15 years in NYC, Rob now enjoys exploring the city with his husband and dog, Cookie.

KRISTEN SCOTT

Founder & CEO, Project Solved

Kristen Scott is the founder and CEO of Project Solved, a consulting firm helping organizations manage change, improve team dynamics, and implement strategies that stick. With a background in public health and a passion for developing thriving teams, she brings a practical, people-centered approach to building systems, launching initiatives, and aligning operations with strategic goals. Kristen is certified in DiSC®, The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team®, and trauma-informed workplace practices, and holds credentials from Cornell and Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in diversity and change management.

AMANDA WILLARD

Principal Marketing & Brand Consultant, Willard Brand Consulting

Amanda Willard is a creative and innovative Global Brand Leader with a track record of results for over 20 years in strategic planning, insight driven research, brand strategy, and cross functional marketing, including six years based in the UK and South Africa. As the Founder and Principal of Willard Brand Consulting, she thrives in supporting clients through substantial M&A, rebranding, new brand creation, and strategic planning. She has held senior brand and marketing positions with Navy Pier, The PGA TOUR, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Landor Associates. She loves inspiring partnerships and collaboration, so please do come say hello!

DAISY YIU

Director of Marketing & Communications, Food Banks Mississauga

Daisy Yiu is the Director of Marketing & Communications at Food Banks Mississauga, bringing 15 years of marketing experience to the team, having worked in media and tech before joining the organization. From leading national digital advertising campaigns and local experiential marketing campaigns and events to managing multiple rebrands and launches, she brings her enthusiasm for communications and branding to everything she does. Having started as a volunteer with Food Banks Mississauga, she is proud to be a team member for over four years at an organization that she so passionately supports and approaches all her work through the lens of social justice.