Matthew S. Helmer is committed to elevating the way donors experience mission-driven organizations. His philosophy is that every experience should be designed from a meaningful, well-articulated purpose—without it, the moment becomes something that just happens.

A higher education advancement professional with a background in experience design, fundraising, team development and constituent engagement, he currently serves as assistant vice president for university advancement at Colorado State University. In this role, he provides leadership to the Engagement team in creating strategy and tactical implementation of communications, donor relations and event experiences for CSU's community of donors, alumni and friends.

Known for a love of novel ideas, Helmer led an innovative reorganization at CSU in 2010, consolidating responsibility for all alumni, donor and university events under the CSU Events umbrella. This organizational shift opened the door for a candid conversation about the power of purposeful events, leading to a more strategic approach to engagement and significantly contributing to more than five consecutive years of record-breaking fundraising results. CSU recently surpassed the $1B goal in its "State Your Purpose" campaign—nearly two years ahead of schedule in a campaign that has set new benchmarks for giving, including total number of donors, alumni participation rates and the largest single gift.

A frequent speaker for industry associations and a nonprofit consultant, he specializes in experience design, ideation and innovation, and crafting purpose-driven, metrics-based programs.

Kirsten Lavin is a classically trained musician who began her career in arts administration. In her tenure at Johns Hopkins University, she has led communications teams at the Peabody Institute and the Office of Alumni Relations before helping to build the strategic communications and donor recognition platform for the $6 billion "Rising to the Challenge: The Campaign for Johns Hopkins."

As director of stewardship in the Office of Donor and Volunteer Engagement, Lavin guides the stewardship, recognition, and engagement of top donors to both Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine, and leads a team working on discreet projects for principal level donors. Additionally, she calls upon her expertise in project management and constituent engagement to champion the mandatory stewardship program with the goal of building and enhancing relationships with donors at all levels. She has presented at the Association of Donor Relations Professionals International Conference and the CASE District II conference.

Lynne Wester strongly believes that donor relations is the key to unlocking fundraising success and that organizations must be as dedicated to the donor experience, or DX, as they are to the ask itself. Sometimes referred to as the Olivia Pope of fundraising, Lynne helps organizations when they need it the most—when crisis or opportunity arrive.

Lynne and her teammates at the Donor Relations Guru Group partner with nonprofits large and small on a variety of initiatives from developing sound strategy and vision to utilizing technology and creating meaningful donor engagement - all designed to positively affect the fundraising bottom line. Her guidance has led her clients to be recognized on the national stage for fundraising innovation, creative communication, and groundbreaking donor relations work.

The DRG website in a unique industry tool filled with resources, samples and thought leadership on donor relations and fundraising. Lynne is regularly featured in publications such as the Washington Post, Chronicle of Philanthropy, and CASE Currents and has authored four books of her own on a myriad of industry topics.

Lynne received her B.A. from the University of South Carolina, holds a Masters in Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy from BayPath University, and proudly sports a DUCKtorate from the Disney Institute.