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Invest In your fundraising Skills!

With content ranging from beginner to advanced, the 2026 Missional Philanthropy Conference at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee, is designed for fundraisers of all skill and experience levels. 

JOIN US JULY 14-16, 2026, as we invest in our time together through lectures, plenaries, workshops, and networking. This special gathering will benefit fundraisers working in multiple mission areas, including educational, ministerial, and community-based nonprofit work.

Conference presentations are divided into three distinct tracks: Fundamentals, Fine-Tuning, and Leadership. Guests are welcome to alternate between tracks based on their personal interests and needs.

2026 Conference Plenary Presenters

Russell James, III

Russell James, PhD, is a Texas Tech University professor who teaches graduate courses in charitable planning and behavioral economics. His research has been published in Journal of Philanthropy & Marketing, Financial Services Review, and other periodicals.

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Center for Creative Leadership

The Center for Creative Leadership has more than 50 years of research-based, context-aware experience focusing on nonprofits, K-12, healthcare, and higher education. Whether you’re developing first-time managers or seasoned executives, we help you create the conditions for people to lead well.

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2026 Conference Session Leaders

The Missional Philanthropy Conference brings together a wealth of industry knowledge to improve your fundraising efforts. Click on the images to learn about just a few of the experts presenting for conference guests.

Gayle Pottle

Gayle Pottle, MS, is a Milton Murray Fund Executive Leadership Fellow who leads regional philanthropic operations for a $20B national nonprofit health system with multi-site foundations.

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JJ Reynolds

Reynolds’ company, Vision Labs, helps businesses build strong internal data teams that leaders can rely on and trust. With experience in media buying, PPC, and advanced custom solutions, Reynolds is able to see the whole picture and take a predictive approach, answering the clients “next questions” in initial implementations. The goal is always to deliver meaningful visualizations on which anyone can take action.

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Lilya Wagner

Consultant and trainer Lilya Wagner, EdD, has served in a number of roles over the years, including director of Philanthropic Service for Institutions and associate director of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

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Greg and Nancy Gerard

Greg, EdD, and Nancy Gerard, EdD, served Georgia Cumberland Academy for more than 20 years as principal and alumni/development director while creating a school environment which nurtured students spiritually and academically. Their vision and leadership inspired a major capital campaign that raised $21 million for much-needed facility additions, student support, and programs.

Arthur Criscillis

Arthur Criscillis, EdD, is managing partner at Alexander Haas and leads the firm’s higher education consulting practice. With 30 years of experience, he has worked with advancement programs for Purdue University College of Science, Rhodes College and Centre College.

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Ava Willis-Barksdale

Willis-Barksdale, MA, has held philanthropy leadership positions at Earlham College, Loyola University Medical Center, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Ursinus College, and Lincoln University. Her areas of expertise include: gift solicitation and stewardship, CFR and grant writing, alumni relations, annual giving, and advancement services.

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Scot Coppock

Scot Coppock, MA, is the ADRA director of Planned Giving and assists donors who wish to support its mission through estate and non-cash gifts. Previously, Scot served as associate director of Planned Giving & Trust Services for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

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LuAnn Davis

LuAnn Davis, MBA, is the vice president for Advancement at Union Adventist University and specializes in building foundations from which to grow successful philanthropy programs.

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2026 Conference Topics

A sample of the topics to be covered during the 2026 Missional Philanthropy Conference include:

“Any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth.

Whatever is given to Christ is immediately touched with immortality.”

-A.W. Tozer, from The Transmutation of Wealth