Speaker Bios

Lisa Bellefond - Director of Development and Programs of the Washington State Parks Foundation, where she leads fundraising and advocates for the state parks system's operating and capital budgets. She brings more than 25 years of experience and success in philanthropy, partnerships and public policy, working at both the federal and state levels, to increase appropriations and pass legislation to protect and steward public lands and watersheds.

Nathan Chappell - Chief AI Officer at Virtuous and a globally recognized expert on the intersection of AI and generosity. In 2018 he founded Fundraising.AI, the world's largest advocacy organization for responsible AI in the nonprofit sector, where he continues to help shape ethical standards for AI-powered fundraising. He is also the author of The Generosity Crisis. With over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, he's a sought-after keynote speaker whose work has been featured in NPR, Forbes, and The Chronicle of Philanthropy. 

John Floberg - Executive Director of the Washington State Parks Foundation, a role he has held for 15 years, and currently serves as President of the National Association of State Park Foundations (NASPF). Under his leadership, WSPF has grown to support programs across Washington's state parks system, including Discover Pass access for underserved communities, historic preservation, park improvement grants, and workforce development for future park leaders.

Julia Gill Woodward - a ninth-generation Floridian with deep roots in the state's award-winning park system. As Chief Executive Officer of the Florida State Parks Foundation, she led the reconstruction of historic Fort Mose - home to the first legally sanctioned free African community in the United States. Before joining the Foundation, Julia spent more than a decade in electoral campaigns and on Capitol Hill, including as Chief of Staff to Rep. Gwen Graham.

Jamie Kelley - Chief Philanthropy Officer at the National Parks Foundation, where he oversees all fundraising activities that connect the priorities and needs of the National Park System and individual park units to the charitable intentions of the Foundation’s philanthropic partners. With over 20 years of experience in fundraising, he brings an in-depth background in planning, implementing, and successfully completing capital campaigns, focusing on team growth and capacity building, and working with donors on all aspects of their philanthropic intentions.  

Joan Kowalski - President, Bob Ross Inc. - Beginning her career of passion in 1988, Joan Kowalski spent the next 7 years soaking up everything Bob Ross dreamed of before his death in 1995. She is now the President of Bob Ross Inc. and considers the Bob Ross Happy Little 5K® one of the company's greatest collaborations, now adding more cool features for 2027.

Seth Miller - Executive Director, Oregon Parks Forever - Seth Miller has been Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever for 10 years, leading a statewide nonprofit that supports parks across Oregon. Under his leadership, OPF has built a lean, fractional-staffing model - two full-time staff, five fractional specialists, a pro bono ad agency, and three key partner organizations - to maximize impact without the overhead of a large full-time team.

Rachel Norton - Executive Director, California State Parks Foundation - Rachel Norton is Executive Director of the California State Parks Foundation, where she has helped drive adoption of the state's free park access programs - the CA Adventure Pass, State Library Parks Pass, and Golden Bear Pass - alongside new funding partnerships to support park operations and climate resilience. She brings a strategic, access-focused approach to the foundation-agency partnership.

Ronald A. Olson – Former Chief of the Michigan Parks and Recreation Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, from 2005 to 2025, where he directed and oversaw a state park system of 104 parks and recreation areas, 140 state forest campgrounds, and over 300,000 acres of land, hosting nearly 35 million visitations annually, including 5 million at Belle Isle Park. Ron has also served as a parks and recreation director in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and in Maryland, Indiana, and Minnesota.

Julie Shaddox - Joined the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation team in 2014 and served as TPWF’s first and only grant writer throughout the course of a $100 million fundraising campaign, writing grants for everything from land acquisitions to capital construction, equipment purchases, restoration projects, and wildlife and fisheries conservation programs. Today, Julie serves as TPWF’s Director of Development and Conservation Programs, leading a team of two grant writers and overseeing several of TPWF’s priority conservation initiatives.

Mary Snyder - Speaker & Podcast Host, Impact with Story - Mary R. Snyder is a storyteller, speaker, and fundraising strategist who helps nonprofits tell the right story to the right people at the right time. After three decades raising millions for nonprofits, she’s convinced facts inform, but stories move people to act. Her workshops are practical, interactive, full of real-world examples that uncover the extraordinary stories hiding in plain sight.

Additional speaker bios to be added as confirmed.