ACN Founding Member Kelly Kleiman

In this our 30th anniversary year, we are grateful for our longtime members—some who have been with us since the very beginning, when ACN was just a handful of people that met casually in a lakefront park.

Much has changed in ACN over the years, including our name and the size of our group. One thing that has stayed consistent is the focus of our membership: 51% of ACN members have been a paid consultant for 6+ years and 91% have worked in the nonprofit sector for 6+ years (2019 ACN Member Engagement Survey).

ACN Founding Members

• Kelly Kleiman, NFP Consulting

“When we started ACN we were still trying to get nonprofits and funders to understand that consultants to nonprofits weren’t just the recently unemployed. I hoped it would grow and help its members grow their practices, but I never envisioned the magnitude of the growth. Referrals from my ACN colleagues, exposure in the online directory and RFPs have all been essential in my sustaining a healthy consulting practice for 30 years.” 

Kelly Kleiman
Principal, NFP Consulting, ACN Founding Member

ACN Members of 15+ Years

• Elizabeth Richter, The Richter Group – BOARD MEMBER
• Margaret Hennessy, Hennessy Consulting Inc.
• Amy Cornell, Cornell Consulting, Inc.
• Carol White, CBWhite – MEMBER ENGAGEMENT TEAM
• Steve Pratapas, Pratapas Associates, LLC
• Amy Wishnick, Wishnick & Associates, LLC - COMMITTEE MEMBER
• Joyce Golbus Poll, J.G. Poll & Associates – COMMITTEE MEMBER

My initial ACN membership coincided with my launch into independent proposal writing. Fast forward fifteen years and I am still involved. Why? ACN’s member network continues to be a rich source of referrals. Nonprofit executives find me on the ACN website. There is access to RFPs and strong educational programs. ACN and my consultancy practice—they go hand in hand.

Joyce Golbus Poll
J.G. Poll & Associates        

ACN Members of 10-14 Years

• Wendy Siegel, Millennia Consulting, L.L.C.
• Gail Straus, GKS Consulting, LLC – COMMITTEE MEMBER
• Jan Stempel, Stempel Consulting
• Mary Morten, Morten Group, LLC
• Laura McAlpine, McAlpine Consulting for Growth, LLC

ACN Members of 5-9 Years

• Amy Schiffman, Giving Tree Associates, Inc.
• Roger (Whit) Shepard, RWS Consulting, Inc.
• John Davidoff, Davidoff Mission-Driven Business Strategy
• Jeff Marcella, Marcella Consulting Corporation
• Meghann Beer, Meghann Beer Nonprofit Consulting
• Debra Natenshon, DBN & Associates
• Annisa Wanat – COMMITTEE MEMBER
• Theresa G. Lipo, Nonprofit and Philanthropy Advising

I joined ACN after being invited to one of their events by a colleague. I had been feeling somewhat isolated in my practice and knew it was time to start networking and connecting with others in the field. I found the community of dedicated professionals I had been looking for and started to volunteer on committees, ultimately serving on the board for three years. Through ACN, I've had the opportunity to gain exposure to clients, learn new business skills, and grow my network, which has had a powerful impact on me personally and professionally. I'm still grateful for that initial invitation to an ACN event!
 
Theresa G. Lipo
Philanthropy and Development Consultant

• Rena Henderson Mason, Bold Agenda
• Jonathan Eisler, Perspectives Ltd. – BOARD MEMBER
• Belinda Li, Citta Partnership – COMMITTEE MEMBER
• Barb Vicory, Wg2 Consulting & Management
• Joseph Villinski, Xseed Fundraising Solutions

Thank you to our longtime members for being advocates for ACN, as well as your dedication to mission-based work in Chicago and beyond.

Show your ACN pride

ACN Members: Download ACN member badges for your website or email signature. Longtime members: we have special badges just for you!