About Elyse Barbell

A deep passion and strong leadership track record in poverty remediation. Starting as an ESOL teacher at Brooklyn College, she has always been driven by helping people attain the skills they need to meet their life and work goals.

Career highlights include a decade as the Executive Director of the Literacy Assistance Center where she served as the chief fundraiser, government liaison, and relationship innovator. Proud accomplishments include the development of the health literacy initiative in partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health and the LAC Academy.

After leaving the LAC, and still fascinated by work and the ability to raise funds, Elyse joined Stephen Bradford Search and inaugurated a nonprofit executive search practice that quickly grew into an agency powerhouse. Deciding to return to the “field,” she now focuses on training, professional development and performance improvement at Win (formerly Women in Need).

When she is not solving problems for Women in Need, she brings her depth of knowledge, uncanny ability to spot talent, and drive to Search for Good.

About Katherine DeFoyd (she/her)

Katherine DeFoyd, Founding Partner of Growth for Good, has been involved with every aspect of fundraising. She has led clients through board development, fundraising planning, capital campaigns, events, and public/private partnerships. She has worked as Development Director for The Armory Foundation and Mouse, as well as on the development team at New York University (NYU). She staffed Mayor Ed Koch, Mayor David Dinkins, and Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger. She holds a BA in Economics from San Francisco State University and an MPA from NYU. She has her CFRE and has authored four cookbooks.  

About Megan Hodges

Megan Hodges, Chief Development Officer, Dream (formerly Harlem RBI) Megan leads development and communications to execute all of DREAM’s fundraising efforts. Megan is responsible for growing contributions to DREAM from individual and corporate supporters as well as overseeing event-based fundraising. Prior to arriving at DREAM, Megan worked as an Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships and Planning for Princeton University, where along with other responsibilities, she prepared and reviewed campaign strategies targeting University alumni and other potential donors. Megan has a strong background in industry research and sales and marketing. Megan received her Bachelor’s in Communication Studies from New York University.