Giving USA 2023: Beyond the Numbers

Brenda B. Asare joined Alford Group in 2004 and assumed the role of President & CEO in 2014. Brenda brings nearly 30 years of management experience across sectors. She has assisted clients in raising over $2 billion, focusing on campaign execution, strategic planning, corporate partnerships, board leadership development and organizational design.

Michelle Bibbs brings 25 years of nonprofit and public sector experience, focusing on fundraising strategy and interim development leadership. Before Alford Group, she managed cultural grants for the City of Chicago and co-created a major grant initiative. Michelle is a lifelong Chicagoan who loves theater, jazz and traveling.

Jaron Bernstein brings 10 years of nonprofit experience with a focus on arts and culture, community development and human services. He helps organizations marry vision with strategy, establish key systems and processes and tell their stories effectively. Outside of work, Jaron is a long-distance runner and founded Chicago’s first Seahawks fan bar group.

Dilnaz Waraich, President, WF Fund (she/her/hers) is a philanthropic advocate, community builder, educator and interfaith leader with more than three decades of experience in relationship building, cultural sensitivity facilitation, spiritual engagement and civic empowerment. As a Fellow with the National Center for Family Philanthropy, she is known for bringing awareness and recognition to multiple community foundations, family foundations and storytelling initiatives.

Stephanie Ellis-Smith is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) and has nearly 30 years of experience in advising high-impact individuals and companies. She works with ultra-high net wealth and high-profile individuals, families, foundations and corporations to invest in people and organizations.

Alex Jakana, Senior Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (he/him/his) manages a portfolio of media investments in support of the foundation’s global health and development goals in Africa, India, China, Europe and the U.S. Before joining the foundation, Alex was Executive Producer of editorial partnerships at the BBC in London.