A Tactical Cohort for Fundraisers

Development Operations

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Kelly Braunegg empowers nonprofits to build strong fundraising programs through strategic development operations. With over 20 years of experience, she helps organizations streamline processes, manage databases, and create a solid foundation for growth.

Kelly's expertise goes beyond technical skills. She fosters collaboration between teams, untangles complex situations, and provides coaching to elevate staff abilities. Her leadership resulted in a 140% increase in fundraising at Water.org and the successful creation of a DevOps team at Feeding South Florida during a critical period.

Across the country, Kelly has led successful database implementations and optimizations for organizations like Ability KC and Share Hope.

When not working, Kelly enjoys volunteering, exploring Kansas City with her dogs, and hosting fun, interactive dinner parties (think homemade ravioli!)

CEO and Fundraising Expert

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Cat is a nationally recognized fundraising expert and keynote speaker. Cat has raised over half a billion dollars for nonprofits worldwide. Her own “bootstraps” story with homelessness brings a deeply personal and heartfelt perspective. Cat’s work has been featured by The Atlantic, Metallica’s blog, Chronicle of Philanthropy, Hundred Magazine, countless ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX affiliates, and more.

Cat led fundraising at Second Harvest of Silicon Valley through annual revenue growth from $37 to $112 million and a $150 million campaign. She served as Chief Development Officer for an organization serving former foster youth, leading a $10 million capital campaign and increased revenue by 133% over five years.

Cat holds an MBA from Dominican University and a BS from Baldwin-Wallace University. She served in the United States Peace Corps in Armenia.

Fundraising Strategist

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Shannon Petrello is a nonprofit executive with 18 years of experience in fundraising leadership, specializing in major and mega gifts, board development, and building high-functioning teams that get results. Her approach helps organizations meet their fundraising goals and create sustainable outcomes to achieve their vision. 

Over the course of her career, Shannon and the teams she led have raised nearly $300 million for food security, housing, youth development, K-12 education, digital rights and AI ethics, civil and reproductive rights, and the arts. 

Shannon has led major fundraising initiatives, including a $150 million capital campaign for Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. At LifeMoves interim housing, she led a team of 30 professionals through the post-pandemic recovery, steering them through one of the organization’s most challenging periods and positioning them for a successful future. Under her leadership, the LifeMoves team raised $73 million annually to support the organization’s rapid growth, exceeded its private revenue goal by $9 million, increased the number of major donors by 60%, and elevated messaging and event outcomes. 

Shannon builds high-performing, collaborative teams that unlock new opportunities. She fosters a results-driven culture where team members feel empowered to take bold, creative risks and hold themselves accountable for individual and team success. 

She holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley; a master’s from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University; and was trained in organizational impact by the Center for Creative Leadership. 

Shannon is committed to advancing justice and equity and is inspired by the power of the collective to change the world.