About Teleange' Thomas

Teleange′ Thomas was named director of Candid Midwest in January 2016. She provides leadership for deepening the organization’s impact in 13 Midwestern states while enhancing the organization’s value proposition to the Cleveland community.

Ms. Thomas has 14+ years of professional experience in the fields of healthcare, public health, human services, and philanthropy. Prior to joining Foundation Center (now Candid), she served for seven years as a program director with the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, overseeing strategies to reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations through strategic grantmaking, systems and policy change.

Teleange′ earned a bachelor’s of business management and entrepreneurial studies from Case Western Reserve University. She is a member of the boards of directors for Health Policy Institute of Ohio, Green City Growers, and the Conservancy of Cuyahoga Valley National Park; a fellow of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; and is published in professional and academic journals.

About David Holmes (he/him)

Dave Holmes is an Educational Programming Manager at Candid, coordinating national trainings and the training and educational programming for the Midwest region. He returned to the Foundation Center (now Candid) in 2015 from a position as Senior Consultant at Grants Plus, writing grants and doing research for a variety of large and small nonprofit clients. In his initial nine-year tenure with Foundation Center, Dave served in various roles including Regional Training Specialist, Interim Director of Foundation Center – Cleveland, and Director of Capacity and Leadership Development.

Earlier in his career, Dave served as a Program Officer for the Stocker Foundation in Lorain, Ohio, and as the Director of Grants and Prospect Research at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio. He is a current board member of Upcycle Parts Shop and a former board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Cleveland Chapter and of Joel's Place for Children. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh, an MA from Villanova University, and an MLIS from Kent State University.

About Samantha Ryder

Samantha Ryder is the Senior Manager of Network Engagement and leads the operational strategy for the Network Engagement team and oversee the development of account management processes, including onboarding, engagement, and retention for Network Engagement program partners. Design centralized standards, training, and common tools that can be leveraged by the Network Engagement team with the goal of improving efficiencies and supporting ambitious growth targets while ensuring quality program delivery throughout domestic and global regions.

She joined Candid in 2018 after operating a consulting group that worked with a variety of clients including universities, private and nonprofit organizations, and the City of Cleveland. Before consulting, she served as Chief of Staff for Cleveland City Council and as a Family Liaison for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Akron, and a Masters of Arts from John Carroll University.

About Robbin Hudson

Robbin Thornton Hudson serves as the Community Programming Manager for the . In this role she leads strategic efforts to create flourishing communities, sustainable nonprofit organizations, and collaborative community-based efforts.

Robbin has a record of success in philanthropy, education, and community engagement. She has worked with government, nonprofit organizations, foundations and corporations to build programs and services that lift up justice and opportunity. In 2017, Robbin launched Platform & Zenith a corporate and community social responsibility firm. Previously, she served for eight years as Director of Family and Education Initiatives at Neighborhood Leadership Institute.

Robbin serves on the board of New Bridge Center for Arts and Technology Cleveland, is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., National Black MBA Association, and Association of Black Foundation Executives. She is an international leadership trainer for the Cleveland Council on World Affairs. Robbin holds B.A. in Economics from Mount Holyoke College and a Masters of Business Administration from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. She is the proud mother of one daughter, Torah.

About Tim McCormick

Tim McCormick has more then 30 years nonprofit management and fundraising experience. Throughout his extensive YMCA career, Tim focused on bringing together volunteers and staff members to realize a shared vision. He has led numerous YMCA Capital and Major Gift solicitations in Ohio, Michigan
and Louisiana.

Beyond the YMCA, Tim has provided leadership to fund raising efforts for arts organizations like the Cleveland Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony and the National Symphony in Washington, D.C. In his role as a consultant he has provided leadership to several capital campaigns in Ohio, New York and Minnesota.
Tim has provided organizational development and capacity building consultation to several non-profit groups in Northeast Ohio.

He holds a teaching degree from Miami University (Bachelor's) and did Master's work at Central Michigan University where he was a faculty member. His teaching background enables him to provide excellent training programs for fundraising volunteers.

Tim is a Board member and former President for the Greater Cleveland Chapter of AFP. He has also served as the Vice President for Resource Development for the Chapter.

About Lauren Steiner

About Jaclyn Vary

About Danielle M. Locke

Danielle M. Locke has spent nearly 20 years in the nonprofit field in various management, fund development, marketing and communication roles.  Danielle is the founder and principal of Locke Step Partners, an advisory firm which works with nonprofits to maximize their potential. Locke Step Partners specializes in fundraising coaching, major donor strategies, capital and other campaigns, and organizational management.

Prior to charting her own course, Danielle proudly worked as the Gift Planning Officer for the Community Foundation of Lorain County.  In this role she led all aspects of strategic asset growth, marketing and community outreach. Her primary role was philanthropic advisor for individuals, nonprofits and professional advisors.  During her five-year tenure she launched a unique grants program with a nearly $1M gift from Lakeland Community Foundation, curated a partnership with Leadership Lorain County and the SBDC at Lorain County Community College to advance the quality of nonprofit leadership and orchestrated the 2017 Emerging Opportunities campaign which raised $600K in just six months.

Danielle’s other work experience includes five years at the Cleveland Clinic where she served as the director of Speaking of Women’s Health, formerly an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, now operating under the umbrella of the Cleveland Clinic.  She also served as the Development Director for organizations including the Arthritis Foundation, The Singing Angels, and the Center for Mental Retardation (CMR).

Danielle is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP^®), a graduate of Leadership Lorain County, “Best Class of 2015”.  Ms. Locke is a 2005 graduate of Cleveland Bridge Builders and in 2011 she was selected one of NEO “25 under 35 Movers & Shakers” Award by the 20/30 Club of Cleveland and Small Business Magazine. In early 2019, Danielle was the recipient of the Emerald Award for Inspirational Leadership from Leadership Lorain County.

Her current volunteer and leadership roles include the Center for Public & Nonprofit Management as well as the Dean's Stakeholder & Alumni Advisory Committee for the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, the Advancement Network (AdNet, a national community foundation association), Firelands Association for the Visual Arts, Lorain County Bar Association Fee Arbitration panel, Nonprofit Communicators of Lorain County and LakewoodAlive.

Danielle holds a Master of Public Administration and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University.  She also graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cleveland State University with degrees in Psychology and Communication. Danielle grew up locally and is proud to still call Northeast Ohio home.