Speaker Biographies 

Amy Albrecht

Amy Albrecht is the Director of the Center for a Vital Community (CVC) at Sheridan College in Sheridan. The CVC invests in people to engage in and strengthen the community through leadership training, nonprofit support, and championing community initiatives.  Amy currently sits on the board of Leadership Wyoming and SAGE Community Arts, is a member of the Sheridan Rotary Club, and was a founding member of The Food Group, a Sheridan County nonprofit providing food to children. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in Communications.

Leading the Facilitated Discussion 

Kari Anderson

Nonprofit wrangler. Board border collie. Professional people herder. Some of the titles nonprofit maven Kari Anderson wears running Incite! Consulting, a boutique coaching and consulting practice.

What's her niche? Building nonprofits up. From the inside out. What’s her superpower? Kari is a recovering nonprofit executive. During her 20+ years in the field, she served seven nonprofits in Washington and Colorado in various leadership roles. A seasoned board member, she has served on boards in seven states focused on health, athletics, and education. Having served as both staff and board, she’s got the scoop on what it takes to run a healthy, vibrant, and visionary business, all while having some serious fun!

A Montana native, Kari is based in Coeur d’Alene, ID and Jackson, WY. She brings the office and toolkit to her client and works with nonprofits to support people, increase revenues and rethink strategies to move missions forward.

Presenting: The Donor Path - Best Practices to Attract and Retain Donors 

Jerrica Becken

Jerrica Becken is the Director of Philanthropy at the Wyoming Community Foundation. She has served in a variety of roles in the nonprofit space from programming and direct client support to fundraising and communication management. She is passionate about philanthropy and providing opportunities for individuals to have an impact on their communities today and far into the future.  

Presenting: The Basics of Planned Giving: Guidance from a Fundraiser and a Professional Advisor

Brett Befus 

As the UW Foundation’s associate vice president for development, Brett Befus connects donor’s passions to the missions of the University of Wyoming.  He is passionate about UW and helping donors find a way to connect their passions with their philanthropy. Aiding donors through the process of making generous and meaningful gifts is Brett’s favorite part of job. He also leads and inspires the development team as they work together to take the university to the next level. 

Before starting at the UW Foundation, Brett worked as a staff attorney for the Fifth Judicial District Court in Cody, and then he joined the University of Wyoming Athletics as the senior marketing coordinator. As a law student, Brett worked as the public address announcer for UW Athletics.  

Brett is a Wyomingite born and raised from Rawlins. He has earned three degrees—a bachelor’s from UW in business administration, a master’s from West Virginia University in sport management, and a Juris Doctorate from the UW College of Law. Outside of work, Brett spends his time with his wife Dr. Mary Katherine Scott, who is a visiting assistant professor in art at the university, and his son Rex. Together, they enjoy the many cultural events put on by UW. 

Presenting: The Basics of Planned Giving: Guidance from a Fundraiser and a Professional Advisor 

Corey Ciocchetti

Serving as the Bill Daniels Professor of Business Ethics and Legal Studies at the University of Denver, Corey Ciocchetti is one of the University’s most popular and highest-rated professors. Corey joined DU after graduating with a law degree from Duke University School of Law, a Masters degree in Religious Studies and two Bachelors degrees in Finance and Economics—summa cum laude—from the University of Denver.

Corey is a talented speaker and teacher and has won multiple teaching and speaking awards including the Outstanding Professor of the Year Award and the Joel Goldman Award for most respected speaker on the CAMPUSPEAK roster. In 2023, he was named as one of the Top 50 Undergraduate Business Professors in the country. Corey currently teaches classes on business law and ethics in a department ranked by the Wall Street Journal and Business Week in the top ten nationwide for producing students with high ethical standards.

Corey also speaks to tens of thousands of individuals each year about “authentic success” and living an ethical life and is the author of the book Inspire Integrity: Chase An Authentic Life. He has spoken to diverse audiences in over 350 cities and 46 states over the past eighteen years. A Colorado native, Corey resides in Denver with his wife, Jillian and daughters Sophia and Sydney.

Keynote: Inspire Integrity: Chase an Authentic Life

Breakout Session: Under The Influence... of Stress

Tiffany Comer Cook

Tiffany is a consultant for The Align Team, specializing in facilitation, team building, coaching, and data work. Tiffany consults with nonprofit boards, untangling problem areas and helping boards adopt best practices. Last year, she earned a Certificate of Nonprofit Board Consulting from BoardSource and loves to help nonprofits optimize their internal operations so they can focus on fulfilling their missions. Trained in Technology of Participation (ToP) Facilitation Methods and Strategic Planning, Tiffany is skilled at bringing groups together, working through group dynamics, and helping groups reach consensus. She has helped many groups through an effective and efficient strategic planning process. She is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, helping individuals and teams identify and use their natural talents to maximize their potential. Tiffany has worked in research, evaluation, and public health since 2003, with expertise in survey research, logic modeling, and needs assessments. Tiffany also has experience facilitating logic modeling sessions and coaching leaders. She holds an MS in Counselor Education from the University of Wyoming.

Presenting: Trust, Transparency and Teamwork: Strengthening Board Chair/Executive Director Partnerships

Samin Dadelahi

Samin is the President and CEO of the Wyoming Community Foundation, a philanthropic organization that helps connect people who care with causes that matter. With over 20 years of experience working with nonprofits in Wyoming, Samin understands the value of plain speaking and right-sized solutions. Samin lives in Laramie with her husband and two children.  

Presenting: Wyoming's Wealth Transfer and What it Means to You

Laura Dale 

Laura Dale joined the Wyoming Community Foundation as the Communications Coordinator in 2022. Laura graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Wyoming, with an interest in public education in museums. Her favorite part of the work she does for the Foundation is utilizing social and digital media tools to connect with fellow Wyomingites. By sharing stories about nonprofit grantees and generous donors, she helps foster connections in the statewide nonprofit community. 

Presenting: Short Form Content: What is it and why is it valuable?

Mallory Erickson

Mallory Erickson is an executive coach, fundraising consultant, and host of the podcast "What the Fundraising", designed to support nonprofit leaders in fundamentally changing the way they lead and fundraise. Through her signature framework, the Power Partners Formula™, Mallory provides unique tools to help nonprofits increase their fundraising efforts. As of 2022, she has trained over 60,000 fundraisers using this innovative framework, combining best practices from executive coaching, science-backed behavior design, and fundraising strategy. If you aspire to transform your approach to fundraising and gain clarity on your next steps, Mallory's work is for you.

Keynote: The Connection Imperative: A New Paradigm for Growth and Impact

Breakout Session: Fostering Authentic Connections: Crafting Experiences That Engage All Supporters

Vickery Fales Hall 

Vickery was born in Cody and raised in Wapiti, where her family has owned and operated Rimrock Dude Ranch since 1956. After many summers cleaning cabins and washing dishes at Rimrock, Vickery graduated from the University of Wyoming where she studied Political Science and American Studies. Vickery has been a professional do-gooder since 2003 and has worked for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Catholic Charities CYO, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Children’s Resource Center. Vickery has worked at the Wyoming Community Foundation since 2011 where she serves as the Director of Donor Relations. A member of the Casper Rotary Club, she serves on the leadership team for NCSD’s Dual Language Immersion Program and on Casper’s Planning and Zoning Board. Vickery enjoys road trips, knitting, camping and mountain biking. Vickery lives in Casper with her husband Bryant and their two children. 

Presenting: Wyoming's Wealth Transfer and What it Means to You

Misty Gehle

Misty Gehle is the Chief Financial Officer of the Wyoming Community Foundation. Misty joined the Wyoming Community Foundation in September 2013. She shares responsibility for day-to-day management of the Foundation with President/CEO, Samin Dadelahi and Chief Operations Officer, Sarah Chapman. Misty has over 25 years of accounting experience in a variety of areas. Prior to joining the team at WYCF Misty worked at McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP (Previously McGladrey & Pullen) in Cheyenne, as a Tax Manager, and as a consultant with a variety clients and industries assisting with fiscal and organizational issues. Misty has served as the President of the Cheyenne Kiwanis Club 2012/2013 and has spent time volunteering with many nonprofit and community organizations in Cheyenne. She is a graduate of the 2006-2007 Leadership Cheyenne program sponsored by the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce. In addition to her Nebraska CPA certification, Misty currently holds a CPA certification with the State of Wyoming and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Wyoming Society of CPAs. She also has an MBA from the University of Wyoming.

Presenting: Due Diligence of Accepting Gifts and Bequests

Jennifer Hahnke

Jennifer Hahnke, Education and Outreach Manager, has worked for BBB Serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming and their Foundation for ten years. She is enthusiastic about developing beneficial connections, celebrating marketplace trust & promoting ethical relationships through nonprofit, community, and civic educational opportunities.

Jennifer is excited to share with this year’s Wyoming Nonprofit Conference audience an overview of nonprofit best practices and standards to benefit your organization in reaching new supporters and connecting more intentionally with the funders supporting your mission. BBB's Charity Evaluation program is free to nonprofits and with Jennifer's assistance, Accreditation can be yours in no time at all!

BBB believes in the power of trust to grow people, nonprofits, businesses, and communities. It’s the principle we were founded on over 100 years ago and what continues to motivate us today as we celebrate 40+ years serving local communities like yours in Northern Colorado and Wyoming.

Presenting: Program Highlight: Building Trust - Leveraging BBB's FREE Accreditation to Elevate Support For Your Nonprofit

Kate Hayes 

Kate is the owner and coach at High Ground Coaching and Development where her main goal is to inspire leaders to create leaders through one-on-one coaching, trainings and workshops, keynote speaking, and mentor programs. She also is the founder of a Non-Profit, Connect2Women which focuses on connecting women across Wyoming for networking, development and growth by hosting workshops around the state as well as a statewide mentor program. Kate is a certified coach, a regularly published journalist, author of soon to be released Take Back Your Life – Five steps to create your quantum leap, an Adjunct Instructor at Laramie County Community College and has been appointed by Governor Gordon to the Wyoming Council for Women. She lives in Central Wyoming with her husband and menagerie of animals.

Presenting: Strengthening Emotional Intelligence in Yourself and in Those You Lead

Noelle Kron

Noelle Kron is a Grant Manager with ServeWyoming, assisting programs/organizations with AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA covering Wyoming.  Prior to joining ServeWyoming Noelle worked as an AmeriCorps Site Supervisor of a non-profit following a collective impact model, bringing together local and state agencies and individuals to solve community issues.  

Presenting: Serve Wyoming will Demonstrate how we Utilize Knowledgeable and Skilled Volunteers to Serve as Mentors in Service-Learning at Community

Anne Mason: 

Anne Mason is the Founder of Relative Theatrics. She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from the UW and is passionate about transforming skills from within the artistic sphere into tools for all facets of community, industry, and humanity. Anne was the recipient of the 2022 Wyoming Governor’s Arts Award. She is a graduate of the Leadership Wyoming class of 2022.

Presenting: Achieving Objectives: Cracking Strategic Prospection with the Actor's Formula

Shelly McAlpin

Shelly McAlpin has been with ServeWyoming for 18+ years.  Her resume includes over 25  years of experience grant administration, nonprofit leadership, program coordination, emergency volunteer coordination, fund development, policy administration and new program development.  Shelly was introduced to National Service from the AmeriCorps VISTA program .  Shelly is passionate about poverty elevation, National Service and mental health care. 

Presenting: Delve into the Breadth of Community Needs Addressed by Americorps and Learn How to Access Funding Opportunities

Rachel McPherson

Rachel McPherson is the Director of Development for Central Wyoming Hospice. Rachel has been working for hospice organizations since 2011 and is passionate about the care they provide to communities.  

Presenting: Death and Grief in Fundraising Relationships: How to Communicate Compassionately

Sarah Roberts

Native to Arizona, Sarah moved to Wyoming in approximately 2009. Sarah has a passion and commitment to community service, individual wellness, and human relationships. Sarah graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2020 with her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She then graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2021 with her Master’s degree in Social Work. She has served in the mental health field, provided postsecondary education assistance, served in youth development roles, and worked as an in-home senior care giver.

Presenting: Serve Wyoming will Demonstrate how we Utilize Knowledgeable and Skilled Volunteers to Serve as Mentors in Service-Learning at Community

Alex Shannon

Alex Shannon is the Communications & Events Coordinator of the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, a priority fund of the Wyoming Community Foundation. She’s been with the Foundation since 2019. Alex is a graduate of the University of Wyoming’s College of Business with a degree in Marketing. In her role at the Women’s Foundation, she works to advance systems change with strategic communications and host events that help women increase their ability to live at or above the Wyoming Self-Sufficiency Standard.  

Presenting: Short Form Content: What is it and why is it valuable?

Amy Spieker, DrPH, MPH

Amy is the Director of Community Health and Analysis at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and is the current Board President of Wyoming 211. Previously, she worked as a maternal and child health epidemiologist at the Wyoming Department of Health. Amy received her Doctorate in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Washington (the other UW). Amy defines herself as a public health practitioner and loves opportunities to make Cheyenne and Wyoming healthier for everyone. She and her husband Ben are currently enjoying their newest role as parents to their almost one-year-old son, Alex.

Presenting: Program Highlight Wyoming 211: Collaborating for a Healthier Wyoming: A Lens into Wyoming Community Information Exchange Program

Bekah Smith Hazelton

Bekah is the Director of the Wyoming Women’s Foundation (WYWF), a priority fund of the Wyoming Community Foundation. She’s been with the Foundation since 2012 and became the director in 2018. In her role at the Women’s Foundation, she practices advocacy and policy research for systems change and oversees fundraising for WYWF operations, endowment, and fund development. The Foundation makes grants to partnering programs that help fulfill its mission to invest in economic self-sufficiency for women and opportunities for girls in Wyoming.  

Presenting: Wyoming Self-Sufficiency Standard Report and Calculator, Rebekah Smith Hazelton

Stacy Stebner

My B.A. (Drew University), M.A. (University of Wyoming) and Ph.D., candidacy (incomplete, UW) are in cultural anthropology. I have taught anthropology courses for UW, Laramie County Community College, and Central Wyoming College. Ten years ago, I took a hard right turn out of academic anthropology and straight into applied, nonprofit work, filling the role of Executive Director for the Lander Art Center from 2015-2020. During COVID, two colleagues and I co-founded The Bossert Collective, a non-profit dedicated to inspiring community connectedness and promoting cultural appreciation through public art. Currently I serve as the Executive Director of the Lander Food Bank, Project Coordinator at The Bossert Collective, and sit on several boards including Wyoming Humanities.

Presenting: From Dead Heads to Swifties: Using Anthropology to Cultivate Your Multigenerational Audience

Dr. Gabel Taggart 

Dr. Taggart is an associate professor in the Master of Public Administration program at the University of Wyoming. He coordinates the Nonprofit Concentration in the MPA program and serves as the Internship Director for the School of Politics, Public Affairs, and International Studies at UW. Dr. Taggart serves as the board chair for the Wyoming Nonprofit Network.  His research has been published in over a dozen national and international journals. Dr. Taggart was the winner of the university wide 2023 Hollon Family Award for excellence in distance education.

Presenting: Program Evaluation, Outcomes-based Assessments and Internal Accountability for Evaluating Nonprofits

Madeline Zimmer

Madeline is the Associate Director of Philanthropy at the Wyoming Community Foundation. Her professional background is in nonprofit work, ranging from organization management to prospect research. She joined the WYCF in 2023. The WYCF is a statewide grantmaking organization connecting people who care with causes that matter.  

Presenting: Death and Grief in Fundraising Relationships: How to Communicate Compassionately