Speakers

Paula Rincón es Trabajadora Social y una apasionada del trabajo comunitario y la generación de cambios reales en los territorios. Actualmente, se encuentra próxima a obtener su título de Magíster en Gestión de Procesos para el Desarrollo Comunitario.
Su trayectoria en la YMCA comenzó en 2020 y, desde entonces, ha crecido dentro de la organización desempeñándose tanto como voluntaria como parte del equipo profesional. Hoy lidera el área de Desarrollo Institucional e Innovación Social de YMCA Bogotá, donde impulsa iniciativas estratégicas de sostenibilidad y coordina acciones de la campaña Plan Padrino.
Desde este rol, trabaja articulando esfuerzos para fortalecer el impacto social de la organización y contribuir al desarrollo de comunidades más resilientes y sostenibles.

Jimena Bello is the National Director of Social Programs for YMCA Mexico, where she leads the organization's national strategy for social programs, institutional development, fundraising, and strategic partnerships.
She has over 15 years of experience in the design, implementation, and strengthening of social programs, as well as in building alliances to generate sustainable social impact. Throughout her career, she has led initiatives related to youth leadership, social entrepreneurship, gender equality, migration, community development, institutional strengthening, and public policy.

Before joining YMCA Mexico, she served as Director of Institutional Relations for La Cana, an organization dedicated to the social reintegration of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women, where she led the areas of fundraising, strategic partnerships, communication, and institutional positioning.

Previously, she was a Senior Project Manager for North America at the British Embassy, leading regional initiatives focused on youth leadership, social entrepreneurship, and public policy. In this role, she worked with governments, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and international bodies to strengthen ecosystems that generate greater opportunities for young people.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Leisure Time Management, a specialization in Marketing, and a Diploma in Business Strategy from UNAM. Her work focuses on building more sustainable organizations, strengthening philanthropy in the region, and generating partnerships that multiply social impact.

Ramona Smart serves as the General Secretary of the Barbados YMCA, a role she assumed in 2022 after several years of contributing to charitable initiatives across the island. Bringing a strong foundation in consumer and business‑to‑business market research throughout Barbados and the wider Caribbean, as well as experience as Knowledge Officer for a regional real estate group, Ramona has built her career on data‑driven insight, strategic communication, and community‑centred development. Her passion for youth empowerment aligns deeply with the YMCA’s mission, inspiring her to champion sustainable projects that uplift underserved communities.

Since joining the YMCA, she has led key organisational functions—including policy, HR, donor relations, and programme development. Ramona is committed to advancing strong nonprofit leadership within Barbados, driving organisational resilience, and expanding opportunities for young people to thrive.

Jeff Merhige is the President & CEO of the YMCA of Pawtucket, where he has spent his career advancing the Y mission through strong community relationships and strategic fundraising. With extensive experience in camp development, Jeff has built programs that go beyond the summer experience — creating lasting connections with campers, families, alumni, and donors that translate into meaningful, sustained financial support.
Throughout his tenure, Jeff has developed and implemented fundraising plans that engage every layer of the camp community: from current participants and seasonal staff to long-term alumni and corporate sponsors. He understands that camp fundraising is not simply about securing a gift — it is about building a community that believes in the mission and wants to invest in its future. His practical, hands-on approach has helped Y associations at various stages create a culture of generosity around their camp programs, with tangible results in donor retention and sponsorship growth.

María Liliana Mor is an international expert in resource mobilization and private sector partnerships. Over more than 20 years, she has designed and led fundraising strategies that have enabled social organizations to access corporate funding and build long-term alliances with companies such as Google.org, Microsoft, and Visa Foundation. Her work focuses on transforming how organizations engage with the private sector — moving from "asking for funds" to building strategic impact partnerships.

Jorge Perez is President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati and a nationally recognized nonprofit leader. The first in his family to be born in the United States, a former migrant worker, and a first-generation college graduate, Jorge is an accomplished strategic thinker, program innovator, fundraiser, and mission champion. He has served YMCAs in Dallas, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Southwest Illinois, and holds two Master's Degrees: Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary and Business Administration from the University of Dallas.

Stephanie Hoyle is the Director of Communications and Marketing at Laboratoria, an organization dedicated to training and promoting the employment of women in the technology sector. With more than 15 years of experience in marketing and communications, she has worked in digital companies, startups, and consumer goods firms. Her passion for innovation and inclusion has allowed her to lead diverse teams and create campaigns that promote diversity and inclusion. She studied Business Administration at the Universidad del Pacífico and completed an MBA at EADA Business School in Barcelona, where she also teaches Digital Marketing. Stephanie's commitment to social causes is evident through her participation in initiatives such as fundraising for the Peruvian Cancer Foundation.

Fundraising is serious work — but the best leaders know it does not have to feel heavy. Alison Hansen brings both energy and expertise to the work of philanthropy. As a Senior Consultant with DBD Group, Alison partners with nonprofits and YMCA leaders to lead capital campaigns, conduct feasibility studies, and strengthen development strategies. She helps organizations do the hard work of fundraising while keeping people engaged, motivated, and connected to the mission. Alison is known for her wit and her ability to bring humor into complex and high-pressure moments. Behind that energy is a deep understanding of what drives successful campaigns — preparation matters, relationships matter, and how leaders show up matters. She has a gift for helping teams stay focused, move forward, and build momentum that lasts.

Great fundraising requires both discipline and creativity. It asks leaders to think strategically while also seeing new possibilities. Lindsay Casavant brings both perspectives to her work. As a Senior Consultant with DBD Group, Lindsay partners with nonprofit organizations on capital campaigns and feasibility studies, focusing on storytelling and case-for-support development. She helps organizations shape and communicate a compelling vision that engages communities and builds momentum toward meaningful goals. In addition to her consulting work, Lindsay is a working artist — a creative lens that shapes her approach to storytelling, communication, and donor engagement. She understands that how a mission is expressed can be just as important as the strategy behind it. Clients appreciate her creativity, her insight, and her ability to turn ideas into action.