Nonprofit Technology & Communications Conference - Minnesota ...

Presenter BiographiesBrian Roemen has over 12 years of technical supportexperience and has worked in for-profit, nonprofit,educational and residential environments. He has experiencein network administration, PC setup and repair,and a wide range of hardware and software support forMacs and PCs. He also enjoys educating others abouttechnology; he has trained one-on-one, small groups, and large audiences.He currently teaches part time at Concordia University – SaintPaul. Brian is analytical and systematic in his approach to problems.He loves efficiency and hates resource waste. He believes thattechnology ought to boost productivity and reduce stress (as opposedto the reverse) and implements this philosophy with his clients. Heenjoys finding the best ways to leverage technology to make the dailytasks of life and business convenient and manageable.Jason Samuels is technology manager for the NationalCouncil on Family Relations (NCFR). He is an accidentaltechie, a social media enthusiast, an aspiringsoftware trainer, a harried network administrator, andoccasionally tries writing a little bit of code. Jason believesthat IT management is most effective when youfind the points where technological innovations and staff skills meetto improve business processes. He enjoys analyzing every aspect ofan implementation project to get the best possible value out of everydollar spent.Jodi Schlichting serves as a business analyst at HIRED,where she has been employed for nine years. As abusiness analyst, Jodi gathers, presents and interprets awide range of data to assist the organization in achievingits program goals. In her role, she also has responsibilitiesrelated to quality assurance, employee training and usersupport, particularly as they relate to HIRED’s Internal Client InformationSystem (ICIS). Jodi has also worked successfully as a programmanager in HIRED’s welfare-to-work division—a background that hasprepared her to develop data collection, management and reportingstrategies that most effectively meet the needs of end users.Natascha Shawver works as a technology consultantfor nonprofits in the Twin Cities area and nationwide,helping organizations to properly deploy existing andemerging technologies. Too often she sees nonprofitstaff tasked with being the “accidental techies” getstuck with their technology projects, because, quitefrankly, they have more important things to do. Natascha sees herselfas the translator who helps nonprofits navigate the complex field oftechnology and formulate clear objectives so they can make sounddecisions to achieve the overall strategic goals of their organizationwhile staying within their budget.Mike Stadelman is a senior marketing professional wholives his personal mission statement every day… tomake a difference for a company that makes a difference.As a member of the senior leadership team forCaringBridge, a nonprofit, caring social network, Mikeleads the design and implementation of their strategicmarketing, communications and brand management programs.With a diverse background in advertising and marketing for bothnonprofit and for-profit organizations, a bachelors’ degree from theUniversity of Minnesota and a masters certificate from the Universityof St Thomas, Mike is helping CaringBridge become one of the mosttrusted and respected brands in social networking.Sara Sternberger has been the executive director ofBridging for nearly two years. During that time, Bridginghas undergone a comprehensive strategic planningprocess, including a major rebranding effort. Inprevious positions, Sara has developed communication/marketing plans and has led or participated in brandingand sub-branding initiatives. Sara is a graduate of the Universityof Missouri and holds both an M.B.A. and master’s in healthcareadministration. She is an active community volunteer, serving on theUnited Way Tocqueville Society cabinet and planned giving committee.She is a past president of the Junior League of Minneapolis andis a member of the WAMSO Board (Minnesota Orchestra VolunteerAssociation), serving as its marketing & communications co-director.She is also currently assisting Easter Lutheran Church with its rebrandingefforts.Tejpal Thatte is a senior consultant at GNet Group.He has extensive professional industry experience inapplication and product development in client server,internet, intranet and database technologies. Hisprimary areas of focus have been Microsoft technologiessuch as .NET Framework, SharePoint Solutions, Microsoft SQLServer and the Microsoft Business Intelligence Stack. Tejpal is aMicrosoft certified technology specialist in the Microsoft SharePointTechnology and a Microsoft certified application developer in the Microsoft.NETTechnologies. He has led many initiatives at his companyregarding custom applications and product development in areas likeSharePoint, InfoPath, PerformacePoint, Microsoft .NET, SQL, SSRSand SSIS.Jim Thibodeau, director of IT for HIRED since 2008,is responsible for leading a team of six technologyprofessionals in the maintenance and expansion of theorganization’s technology services across more than 15office locations. He is charged with supporting HIRED’sinternal network, databases, in-house client information,IP phone and staff computer systems. Jim and his team alsoprovide help desk support to the organization’s 150 staff members.Jim received his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineeringfrom the New Jersey Institute of Technology and brings over 40 yearsof executive experience in the computer industry and IT-related fieldsto his work at HIRED.24