BDOG Mentors

Julie Bornhoft

Top skills: Board engagement, social media marketing, and setting fundraising goals
Email:  jbornhoeft@weaveinc.org
Organization: WEAVE

I am the Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer at WEAVE Inc. where I've worked since 2007. My current role includes overseeing revenue generating activities including philanthropic fundraising and ensuring the agency's long-term viability. I count BDOG as one of the successes I am most proud of at WEAVE. We have been able to leverage BDOG to bolster our annual giving program and used BDOG to share new initiatives and spark increased engagement from our supporters. BDOG has been an excellent way to leverage friendly competition with our Board of Directors to achieve 100% giving. I love brainstorming ways to leverage BDOG as a way to grow your annual giving programs, all the ways board members can be part of your BDOG success no matter the size of your organization, and really enjoy reading content for GivingEdge profiles and appeals and giving feedback on crafting the strongest case to support your organization.  

Larisa Bryski

Top skills: Event planning, marketing, and storytelling
Email: larisa@girlsrocksacramento.com
Organization: Girls Rock Sacramento

I am a long-time Sacramento musician, songwriter, and vocal coach, as well as a veteran of the local nonprofit community. With one foot firmly planted in music performance and education, and the other in youth advocacy and empowerment, I have spent most of my adult life bouncing between the two worlds. I have a background in fundraising and public relations and was proud to help Sierra Adoption Services (now Stanford Sierra Youth and Families) reach their 2004 Capital Campaign goal. I was also the Director of Skip's Music's award-winning Stairway to Stardom youth music program for ten years. In 2016, I co-founded the nonprofit G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento, where I serve as Executive Director, studio manager, and "rock camp mom." I currently teach 35 private vocal students per week, enjoy performing with my guitarist husband, and love spending quality time with our teen daughter. I love the BDOG community and look forward to another successful season of collaboration and philanthropy. Let's do this!

Marisa DeSalles

Top skills: Social media marketing, board facilitation, and CRM management
Email: marisadesalles48@gmail.com

After 12 years of growing Project RIDE's horseback therapy program, I am now a nonprofit consultant specializing in small, startup, volunteer-run, and BIPOC-led organizations. My approach to fundraising is community centered and focused on creatively using philanthropy to remedy generational harms. I am a data nerd who grows soil, food, animals, people, and habitat in South Sacramento. Find her at https://marisadesalles.com or @kidscatzntech TW/IG.

Kimberly Diaz

Top skills: Strategic planning, board engagement, donor engagement  
Email: kimberly@kimberlydiazphilanthropy.com  

Since 2019, Kimberly has served as a Big Day of Giving mentor, working closely with corporate, foundation, and individual donors to help them reach their philanthropic goals. During her six-year tenure leading the Big Day of Giving campaign for the American Red Cross, she significantly increased the number of donors, boosted the organization’s leaderboard standings, and more than doubled the dollars raised.

After seven years as the Senior Regional Philanthropy Officer, raising over $4.5 million for the Red Cross, Kimberly launched Kimberly Diaz Philanthropy to focus on empowering small local non-profits. She particularly enjoys collaborating with peer mentors and helping organizations new to the Big Day of Giving succeed. For her, a successful campaign begins with a well-thought-out plan, and Big Day of Giving holds a special place in her heart, as it brings the community together to support local causes.

Erika Fatula

Top skills: Authentic Storytelling, Graphic Design, Donor Stewardship
Email: efatula@rivercityfoodbank.org
Organization: River City Food Bank

I am the Director of Development and Marketing at River City Food Bank. Originally from the East Coast, I moved to Sacramento with my husband 13 years ago, saw how incredible this community was and knew that I wanted to give back. That’s when I began working with local nonprofits to help build their brand and impact. Now, with more than a decade of fundraising and marketing experience, I focus on authentic storytelling and building meaningful relationships to grow our mission.

Since joining River City Food Bank five years ago as a team of one, and now expanding to a team of three, I know firsthand what it’s like to make big impacts with a small but mighty team. Participating in Big Day of Giving since 2015 has been a highlight of my nonprofit journey, and I’m thrilled to serve as a mentor for my fellow fundraisers out there making a difference in the community. Let’s connect and make this year’s BDOG a memorable one for your organization!

Jacob Gutiérrez-Montoya

Top skills: Events, board engagement and storytelling
Email: jgm@BStreetTheatre.org
Organization: The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre

I’m Jacob Gutiérrez-Montoya, an arts advocate, choreographer, and development professional based in Sacramento, California. I currently serve as Director of Development and Community Partnerships at The Sofia: Home of B Street Theatre and as Artistic Director of both Sacramento Contemporary Dance Theatre and Hawkins School of Performing Arts. My work lives at the intersection of creativity, community, and purpose, using the performing arts as a bridge for connection, understanding, and positive change.

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with remarkable organizations including B Street Theatre, Habitat for Humanity, Saint John's Program for Real Change, UC Davis, Agape International Missions, and Shriners Children's Hospital to name a few.  I’ve also been honored to be recognized among Coors Light’s Líderes of the Year, Comstock’s Magazine’s Young Professionals, the Sacramento Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, and Leadership Sacramento’s 40th class.

At my core, I believe the arts have the power to strengthen communities and inspire generosity. Whether on Big Day of Giving or any day, my goal is to help organizations tell their stories with authenticity, foster meaningful partnerships, and create opportunities for people to experience the transformative impact of the arts, together.

Licia Green

Top skills: Personal engagement of donors, generating matching funds, and storytelling with emotional impact
Email: liciak@cchatsacramento.org
Organization: CCHAT Center

The birth of my profoundly deaf twin girls changed the trajectory of our lives. Once an elementary school teacher, my passion for making a difference in the lives of children is now fulfilled as the Development Director for the CCHAT Center – Children’s Choice for Hearing and Talking – in Rancho Cordova. In this role, I educate the Sacramento region on CCHAT’s listening and spoken language services developed specifically for children with hearing loss and raise the funds necessary to support this life-changing program. 

CCHAT has participated in Big Day of Giving since 2015. Relationships are key to fundraising success. BDOG is a wonderful opportunity for you to meet and work with other amazing nonprofit professionals. I am happy to share how I generate matching funds, utilize CCHAT’s board members to personally connect with donors and incorporate storytelling to highlight the children and families who benefit from our services.

Melissa Kelley

Top skills: Donor engagement, board engagement, event planning
Email: melissak@sonc.org 
Organization: Special Olympics Northern California

As a Senior Development Director for Special Olympics Northern California, I oversee fundraising for the Sacramento/North region, which spans from Winters to the Oregon border. With 16 years of professional fundraising experience for organizations of all sizes, both locally and nationally, I have had the privilege of serving as a BDOG team captain for nine years at various local nonprofits. Passionate about the power of community, I am thrilled to share my expertise as a BDOG mentor, supporting those newer to the program.

Megan Laurie

Top skills: Board engagement, events, plan management, storytelling
Email: mlaurie@ucpsacto.org
Organization: UCP of Sacramento and Northern California

I have been in the fundraising world in some capacity for over 16 years. Currently, I serve as the Director of Development and Marketing for UCP of Sacramento and Northern California, having joined in May of 2021. Our development/marketing team consists of 2.5 people, including me, so I know what it is like to wear many different hats and how to be creative with limited resources and time. I have either been a part of or led seven BDOG campaigns. BDOG is an amazing opportunity to try something new, be creative, have fun, and connect with fellow nonprofits, community members, and donors.  

Larisa Perryman

Top skills: Messaging, donor mobilization, BDOG basics
Email: larisa@runninforrhett.org 
Organization: Runnin' for Rhett

I’m the Executive Director of Runnin’ for Rhett, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring people to move into life through fitness and community. I have the privilege of leading a passionate team that empowers youth, families, and runners across the Sacramento region to embrace movement and purpose.

My journey with Big Day of Giving (BDOG) began back in 2014, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Each year, I’ve seen firsthand how this incredible community-wide effort connects donors, nonprofits, and stories that matter. I love the energy and collaboration that BDOG brings. It’s a powerful reminder of how small acts of generosity can create lasting impact. As someone who’s spent years building and supporting successful BDOG campaigns, I’m excited to help other organizations shine on this special day. I believe that with the right strategy, storytelling, and community spirit, every nonprofit can have a transformative giving experience.

Kristin Stuhr

Top skills: Event planning, marketing, and campaign organization
Email: kristin.stuhr@eskaton.org
Organization: Eskaton Foundation

I’m a performer, instructor, and choreographer who fell in love with movement for its ability to express what words cannot. That creative passion led me to a fulfilling career in nonprofit development and community impact.

I began my nonprofit journey at Blue Line Arts, where I advanced from Development Associate to leading fundraising efforts—successfully managing the 2023 Big Day of Giving campaign and exceeding our $25,000 stretch goal. I later supported events and charitable initiatives at DCA Partners, contributing to the 2024 Capital Cup, which raised over $2 million for local nonprofits.

Now at the Eskaton Foundation, I’m proud to help inspire generosity that enhances the lives of older adults across Northern California. I also serve as Board President of TwoPoint4 Dance Theatre, where we continue creating meaningful connections through movement and storytelling. This year, my focus as a mentor is on helping first-time arts organizations and creative professionals craft their campaigns and share their stories with authenticity and impact

Julie Rhoten

Top skills: Matching funds, board engagement, and donor engagement
Email: julie@stanfordsettlement.org
Organization: Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center

I love what I do for a living! I've worked at Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center for the past 30 years, and I've seen how the agency's mission and programs literally changes lives. In August 2019, I became the Executive Director. I have my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work, and my specialty is group work. I love the collaborative, caring, all-in-the-same-boat feeling that comes with being part of BDOG. Creativity is part of my attempt to keep a work-life balance, especially cooking and craft projects.

Shacunda Rodgers

Top skills: Storytelling, Marketing, and Event Planning
Email: shacunda@weareholdingspace.org 
Organization: Holding Space

The driving force in my life, both personally and professionally is to help others in need. While I have been practicing as a clinical psychologist for nearly 20 years, my work has expanded into the nonprofit arena, where I am the founder and executive director of Holding Space. While we are a relatively new nonprofit, we have had quite a bit of success in fundraising, thanks to our participation in BDOG and all that we’ve learned as part of this process. I am excited to share what has worked for us, and am looking forward to exploring how impactful storytelling, cultivating relationships, and compelling marketing strategies can set other organizations up for fundraising success. It is a true honor to be a BDOG mentor this year, and my hope is to be a thought partner and sounding board for those who are also committed to making the world a better place.

Kara Walker

Top skills: Encouraging and facilitating board engagement around BDOG, identifying creative donor engagement opportunities, encouraging the use of fundraising pages, and securing and promoting matching funds
Email: kara.walker@placerlandtrust.org
Organization: Placer Land Trust

I have spent the past 20+ years working for nonprofits, big and small, supporting my passions of the environment and kids. I've had the fortune of playing multiple roles in the fundraising cycle, and seeing the true impact a donor can make when they give where their heart is. My first introduction to giving days took place in Silicon Valley where I worked at a well-known, $50 million+ organization that casually threw their hat into the ring of Silicon Valley Gives. At the same time, I was interviewing at Placer Land Trust who was participating in the Big Day of Giving for the first time. I had assumed that the large institution I worked for would blow little Placer Land Trust out of the water, but it was quite the opposite. It goes to show that you get out of these giving days what you put in-a little planning and effort goes a long way! 

Now that I've been leading our Big Days of Giving campaigns since 2015, I gladly share my experience that has led to our success on the Big Day with other participating nonprofits with the philosophy that a rising tide lifts all boats. Over the years I’ve learned through trial and error what works and what doesn't work for us for BDOG. We’ve found that it’s more important to spend time on direct donor outreach than on trying to seize every opportunity. I’ve learned to cut out a lot of the “fluff” that used to really stress me out and focus on what really matters (and works) in planning a successful BDOG campaign.

Mackenzie Wieser

Top skills: Board engagement, setting fundraising goals, matching funds, and social media marketing
Email: mackenzie@sacsplash.org
Organization: Sacramento Splash

I have 20+ years of experience in engaging teams to meet their goals while driving social impact. I am determined to protect the environment by educating my community about simple changes we can all make in our behavior, actions, and by reducing waste. I believe firmly in giving young people a seat at the decision-making table. Before becoming the Executive Director of Splash, I served as Governor Brown appointee focused on climate policy. I also served as the Chair of Elk Grove's City Planning Commission. I have been leading Splash in the Big Day of Giving since 2020, and we have raised over $625,000 by participating in this amazing event. I have been a mentor since 2021 because I love to help others as they gear up for a momentous day of giving! Let me help you succeed and smash your fundraising goals this year on BDOG, start now by raising matching funds!