How Women Give

How Women Give isn’t just about philanthropy, it’s about power, purpose, and possibility.

When women give, we don’t just write checks, we change systems. We lift communities, we seed innovation, and we sustain organizations that make our world work better.

This December, join us for an intimate conversation with the women behind two incredible nonprofits: NeighborShare and Miriam’s Kitchen as they share how donor support fuels their impact and what truly moves the needle for their missions. We’ll also hear from Jessica Ray, a leading financial strategist and Partner at Brighton Jones, who will show us how to weave generosity into our financial plans in ways that feel authentic, creative, and sustainable.

Because giving isn’t just something we do, it’s part of how we lead.

Event Speakers and Hosts

Bringing together voices from across philanthropy, finance, and innovation, our hosts and speakers embody the spirit of leadership, generosity, and purpose that defines How Women Give.

Speaker: Kelli Kreps

Executive Director, NeighborShare

Kelli is a seasoned nonprofit executive who has dedicated her career to driving change and creating opportunities for all. With 20 years of experience, Kelli has a unique ability to manage large-scale initiatives in quickly changing environments with a variety of stakeholders.

Kelli currently serves as the executive director of NeighborShare, a nonprofit that’s disrupting the way we get “just-in-time” cash assistance to struggling households when other options have run out. NeighborShare is harnessing technology, local partnerships, and a growing network of generous neighbors to prevent households from falling through the cracks by removing the red tape that slows aid down. The platform provides a seamless, easy way for everyday Americans to lend a hand to a neighbor in need.

Prior to her work at NeighborShare, Kelli ran her own consulting practice where she worked with a number of organizations from national nonprofits to hospital systems. Prior to that, Kelli served in a variety of roles in the United Way system, most recently as vice president of the U.S. Network team at United Way Worldwide, leading a team that  redesigned the strategy and business model for a $5B, 1,800 global affiliate, 130-year-old institution.

Personally, Kelli has a passion for justice, fairness, and equity. She originally hails from the great Mitten state – Michigan – and currently resides in Reston, VA, with her husband and stepson. Kelli is a former high school mascot, Golden Girls enthusiast, and is fueled by meaningful connection, running, and copious amounts of strong coffee.

Speaker: Jesica Ray, CFP, CDFA

Senior Lead Advisor & Partner, Brighton Jones

Jesica Ray, CFP®, CDFA®, is a Senior Lead Advisor and Partner at Brighton Jones, where she helps individuals and families navigate complex financial and life decisions. She takes a holistic, values-based approach, with an emphasis on going beyond balance sheets to help clients align their resources with what matters most—whether that's building wealth, pursuing passions, or creating an impactful legacy.

As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™ (CDFA®), Jesica brings particular expertise in supporting women through financial transitions like divorce, widowhood, and career pivots. Her goal is to turn moments of uncertainty into opportunities for clarity, confidence, and long-term security.

Based in Brighton Jones' Washington, D.C. office, Jesica serves clients across the East Coast with a fiduciary-first philosophy—sitting on the same side of the table as her clients, free from conflicts of interest. What drives her work is the deep relationships she builds with the families she serves. "The better I can understand the individuals and families I work with, the better I can service them in line with their goals, passions, and whatever is most important to them," she explains.

Guided by values of kindness, grit, and authenticity, Jesica brings the same intentionality to her own life that she encourages in her clients—prioritizing family, new experiences, and time at the beach. Jesica is a regular guest on Fox 5 in Washington D.C., where she contributes expertise on a range of financial topics, including philanthropy, finances for young adults, and savings strategies.

Speaker: Katy Burn, CPA

Chief Operating Officer, Fionta

Katy is the Chief Operating Officer at Fionta, where she oversees finance, people and culture, contracts, and security. With a strong foundation in accounting and auditing, she was trained to focus on the facts and value the order of operations. Though numbers have been a constant in her career, she is a data nerd at heart. This passion drove her to pursue a Master’s in Business Analytics from Notre Dame, which she now leverages for data-driven storytelling and decision-making. 

Katy has been an active volunteer at Miriam’s Kitchen since 2013. Today, she serves as a volunteer Kitchen Sous Chef on Thursday mornings. In 2025, Katy joined the MK Board of of Directors where she serves on the Finance Committee.

Co-Host: Adrienne Lawrence

Founder & Managing Partner, Her Financial Partner

Adrienne Lawrence is the founder and managing partner of Her Financial Partner, a firm empowering women to build wealth with confidence. She combines strategic financial planning with a personal, approachable style that helps clients achieve clarity and control.

Co-Host: Nicole McNamara

Founder & Chief Catalyst, Catalyst Innovation| Former Salesforce Exec | Speaker, Board Advisor, and Host of “Who Moved My Career?!”

Nicole McNamara is the Founder and Chief Catalyst of Catalyst Innovation, a boutique strategy and transformation consultancy that helps mid-market companies grow faster, work smarter, and build what’s next.

A former executive at Salesforce, where she led the Global Innovation Consulting team, Nicole built a reputation for making transformation both fast and human, helping companies like OpenAI, Marriott, PGA Tour, and Samsung translate complex technology investments into measurable business outcomes.

Today, she and her team of senior strategists at Catalyst partner with mid-market and PE-backed companies to bridge the gap between vision and execution by turning underperforming systems into a strategic advantage and unlocking the business value technology promised.

Beyond Catalyst, Nicole is the co-host of the podcast “Who Moved My Career?!”, where she explores the human side of pivots, leadership, and reinvention. She’s also a frequent media commentator on AI, the future of work, and career transformation, appearing on outlets such as CBS News, WUSA9, and CRM Magazine.