Of Counsel Associates
This stellar group of professionals has experience across the human capital, nonprofit, philanthropic and public sectors including advocacy, arts, health care, higher education, human services, political, and social service organizations. This select group is available to support CGN ’s projects
Leslie Baker Boris – Based in Philadelphia, Leslie has over 20 years of experience in human capital. The former Vice President of Human Resources for Electronics Boutique has also worked in human resources for Fidelity Bank (now Wachovia Bank) and with Pennsylvania Electric and Gas. Leslie serves on the board of directors of the Dexter and Dorothy Baker Foundation, the Koresh Dance Company; and is a Founding Member and donor to Global is Local. Leslie received her undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College and a graduate degree in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Ruth De Paula, Ed. D – Based in New York City and Brazil, Ruth has over 30 years of experience in nonprofits and higher education. She began her career as an Attaché to the Brazilian Mission to the United Nations and has acted as a liaison between the state of Rio de Janeiro and the American community at-large. From 1997 until 2007 she was the Director of International Programs and Study Abroad, Center for Global Studies and Office of Study Abroad Programs, at St. John’s University, NY. At St. John’s she was responsible for all St. John’s University Study Abroad programs. Ruth’s education includes degrees from the University of Brasilia, the University of Cincinnati, and St. John’s University.
Elizabeth (Liz) Farley– Based in Philadelphia, Liz has been a research librarian for over 15 years working in corporate and academic institutions, including the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Joint Library, George Mason University, and The Dialog Corporation. Prior to her work as a librarian she worked for 10 years in nonprofit organizations. At the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia she served as information specialist for the development department where she managed the Blackbaud database and conducted prospect research. She is an expert in online database, internet, and print research. Liz graduated from Chestnut Hill College with a BA in English and Drexel University with a Master’s in Library Science.
Yael Heller Jekogian – Based in New York City, Yael has 17 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, event planning, management and advocacy. She is currently on the Boards of Women’s Campaign Forum, where she serves as Secretary and Development Chair, and Transport Group Theatre Company, where she serves as Development Chair. Yael was Director of Development for Women’s Way in Philadelphia and served on the Boards of Women’s Way and InterAct Theatre Company. She has a BS and MS in Civil Engineering from Drexel University and practiced as an Environmental Engineer for 10 years while actively developing her nonprofit skills and experiences.
Michelle Monaco - Based in Pittsburgh, PA Michelle advises CGN on all areas of administration. She has a long affiliation with the University of Pittsburgh Chemistry Department and is a lead coordinator for a large international Chemistry education conference.
Kathryn Brown Sullivan – Based in West Chester, PA Katie has a background in the social services and volunteerism. She is founder and co-director of the St. Maximillan Kolbe Vacation Bible School in West Chester, PA and a co-coordinator of the MOM – Heart of the Home a lay ministry of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Katie is a former grant writer with the Maternity Care Coalition in Philadelphia. While an US Army wife, she spent three years with the US Army Family Support coordinating support for families while soldiers were deployed for short and long term assignments. Katie has a B.A. in English from LaSalle University in Philadelphia.
Advisory Board
Members of the Advisory Board advise the firm in the areas of financial management, marketing, and overall business strategy.
Christopher Betzler – Chief Financial Officer, Motivas.com. Prior to Motivas.com, Chris was the CFO of Ready To Hire, Inc and at TWC Group, two Philadelphia area executive search and placement firms. For eight years he has served as the Controller for Ridley Township, PA. A CPA , Chris received his undergraduate degree from Neumann College and has an M.S. in Accounting from Widener University.
Janine Ehsani – Senior Director of Development at the Beasley School of Law at Temple University. Janine has extensive experience in planned giving and major gifts in higher education and the arts. Janine has worked with Penn State University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. She has an undergraduate degree from Penn State University and received her law degree from Harvard University.
Claudia Frittelli - Program Officer, Carnegie Corporation. Claudia develops and oversees grants on strengthening African universities Her work includes coordination with the Partnership for Higher Education in Africa, a joint effort of Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the Ford, MacArthur, Rockefeller, William and Flora Hewlett and the Andrew W. Mellon foundations. Claudia has over 10 years experience in international development, information and communication technologies, and public private partnerships. Ms. Frittelli holds an MBA from the American Graduate School of International Management, Thunderbird, and M.A. in Linguistic Studies from Syracuse University.
Linda Grant – Principal, NYC Multi-Media Group. NYC Multi-Media is a marketing consulting firm aimed at providing marketing strategy, development and implementation consulting services. The firm’s services include consumer engagement strategy, organizing sponsored Networking events, Blog Set Up and Consultant. Prior to NYC Multi-Media Ms. Grant was a marketer for several Fortune 50 companies most recently with at American Express. Prior to attending graduate school, Ms. Grant lived in both Japan and Italy. She worked as an English Teacher for The Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) program where she was assigned to her mother’s hometown Naha, Okinawa. After living in Japan, Ms. Grant attended Centro Linguisitico Dante Alghieri in Florence, Italy. Ms. Grant graduated from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) and has a Masters of International Management from Thunderbird, The Garvin School of International Management (Glendale, Arizona.) She is a member of the Advertising Women of New York.
William W. Lee – Venture Capital Advisor. Prior to becoming an advisor, Will was most recently the CFO of MicroEdge, LLC a leading provider of software and services to the giving community worldwide. MicroEdge solutions deliver a powerful, integrated, and open framework for efficient and effective charitable giving. Will is a CFA charterholder and earned his MBA from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management. He graduated magna cum laude from SUNY Oswego with a B.S. in Economics and a Minor in German.
Alexandra Samuels - Philanthropy Consultant - Ms. Samuels has nearly 20 years experience in the field of philanthropy. Currently working as a Senior Analyst with Pembroke Philanthropy Advisors, Alexandra also serves as a trustee on the Valentine Foundation and advisory Board for Bridging the Gaps. With a masters degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Alexandra has worked as the Director of Grantmaking Services for the Philadelphia Foundation, Manager of Civic and Philanthropic Affairs for Rohm and Haas Company, and Director of Communications and Research for Delaware Valley Grantmakers. Complimenting her professional career on the grantmaking side, Alexandra has volunteered her time to serve on the Boards and advisory committees of the Center for Literacy, Leadership Philadelphia, NpowerPA, Philadelphia Education Fund’s Science and Math Coalition, University of Pennsylvania’s Chemistry Education Program Science Teacher Institute, Venture Theatre, Junior League and Women’s Way’s Young Leadership Initiative.
Trish Shafer – Director, Career Services, Philadelphia University. Trish is an experienced career development professional. Trish has close to 20 years experience in on campus college recruiting and in counseling adult career changers. She began her career at her alma mater LaSalle University and help subsequent positions at Glaxo SmithKline and Temple University School of Business. She has an undergraduate degree in Marketing and a Master’s degree in Human Psychology both from LaSalle University in Philadelphia.
