"Share The World You Want to See" 

Speaker and strategist Lauren Hug has helped people connect and better understand each other for over 20 years. In 2012 she founded HugSpeak, a community engagement firm that develops participatory communication strategies, empowering vibrant communities in both digital and physical spaces. She is the author of four books. Her latest, Digital Grace: Pouring Benevolence into an Outraged World, addresses how individuals can transform online spaces into safer, more welcoming places. Her academic credentials include an LL.M. with merit from the University of London, a J.D. with honors from the University of Texas School of Law, and a Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Texas.

"Creating A Culture of Community Centric Fundraising" 

Maggie Stoot (she/her) inspires donors to greater generosity as the Director of Development of The Women’s Foundation of Colorado (WFCO) to maximize individual, community, and planned giving to the only statewide community foundation advancing gender, racial, and economic equity. She believes fundraising is about creating opportunities for donors to be generous and generative with their philanthropy and leans on her experience and expertise in cultivation, stewardship, annual giving, planned giving, and major giving to strengthen the bedrock of funds to power the work of WFCO. Prior to joining the team at WFCO, she was the Director of Development of Florence Crittenton Services, a direct service nonprofit in Denver, and in advisor and donor relations at Fidelity Charitable. A Chicago-area native, she now lives with her husband, 2-year-old daughter, and their dog, Stanley in Aurora, Colorado. You may also find her watching a Cubs game, cooking, tending to her small jungle of houseplants, or in the winter, continuing to learn to ski.

Renee Ferrufino serves as the vice president of development at The Women’s Foundation of Colorado. Renee oversees all philanthropic strategies: individual giving, local, nation and corporate funding, impact investing, donor-advised funds, giving circles, etc. Under her leadership, the development team has more than quadrupled the number of donor-advised funds at The Women’s Foundation since 2016, expanded its communities of giving to make philanthropy accessible to everyone, and broadened donor impact through new vehicles, centering gender-lens investing. Renee feels privileged to build community, philanthropy, and impact for a mission she believes in. She listens to understand, and in doing so, builds deep relationships with donors and connects them to meaningful philanthropic opportunities that ignite their passions and solidify their legacies. 

Prior to her nonprofit career, Renee worked in the corporate sector as an accountant, financial analyst, and revenue strategist. Renee is a current member of Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable and Association of Fundraising Professionals, a graduate of the Institute for Leaders in Development at University of Denver and served on the several boards. She is currently a board member of Philanthropy Colorado. She is a Colorado native and lives in Park Hill with her family. Her daughter Ava is a junior and plays field hockey and lacrosse. Her son Reece is a senior and plays football and lacrosse.

"Employee Retention in the Nonprofit World Today"

Jen joined Employers Council in 2020 as an HR Consultant. She has been in the HR field since 2002, primarily in the non-profit sector. She enjoys consulting with employers and training around all things HR, strategy, and culture. Jen has spoken in various settings, from being the keynote speaker at the Four Corners SHRM conference to presenting with the Colorado Springs Women’s Chamber. Jen has a Master's Degree in Human Resources Management from Webster University. In her free time, she enjoys walking the city and trails of Colorado, reading, knitting and having coffee. 

"How to Easily Make Your Marketing and Storytelling More Inclusive"

Ryan Wilson is the founder and CEO of Team Trust Productions. Ryan has a disability and started Team Trust after working for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee and an Emmy-winning film crew with the Big Ten Network. Team Trust creates videos and films to help connect people with the organizations and resources they need to thrive.

"Community Engagement and How it Can Enhance Your Grant Applications" 

Chris Aaby is the Southern Front Range Program Officer for Great Outdoors Colorado, GOCO, a state grant program that invests in outdoor recreation and conservation. Chris works with local governments, nonprofits, and businesses in this role to fund projects that make Colorado's great outdoors more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Chris is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the nonprofit sector. He is the President of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education Board and previously served on the AFP SOCO Board, Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future Board, and Project Angel Heart Regional Council. He was named a 2017 Colorado Springs Business Journal Rising Star, received the Colorado Springs Independent Inclusion Award, and was the Colorado Nonprofit Association's 2019 Emerging Leader of the Year.