Michel DuBois, through his 20-year career dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community, has played a lead role in leading the finance and operations of several LGBTQ+ nonprofits, from Vermont to New York City with budgets ranging from $250,000 to $12,000,000. As a natural systems-thinker, he improves organizational efficiency for impact and scale. He firmly believes that the foundation of a culture rooted in justice and equity lies in excellent business systems and effective workflow design informed by the forward-thinking question: How will tomorrow's teams be served by the business architecture we're building today? Michel's not all business though. He delights in travel, struggles with Vipassana meditation (and with TikTok), and can binge-stream with the best of 'em! He lives both in New York City and Mexico City.

With over five years of public accounting, primarily serving the not-for-profit and technology industries, Kevin Tishka has become a key player in the audit process for Plante Moran clients from start to finish. He has experience in financial statement audits, business combinations, single audits, employee benefit plan audits, and various other agreed-upon procedures. Since beginning at Plante Moran, Kevin has found that his passions lie within the not-for-profit industry, with a focus in arts and cultural and media distribution organizations. He works to cultivate his skillset and knowledge in these arenas by targeting numerous opportunities to take part in related engagements and other projects. Clients remember Kevin for his positive attitude, communication, and technical skills. In addition to serving clients, he is passionate about developing the skills of others. He helps facilitate assurance technical trainings within the firm for experienced staff and is a key player in the firm’s Pride Staff Resource Group. Additionally, Kevin is a member of the AICPA and the ICPAS and holds a B.S. in accountancy from Lewis University.

Jennifer is an audit partner spending 100% of her time with not-for-profit organizations. She works primarily with social services agencies, foundations, affordable housing entities, arts and cultural organizations, and trade and professional associations.

David advises global philanthropies, health systems, trade associations, major cultural institutions, not-for-profit insurance providers, and pension trusts on maximizing tax benefits and minimizing tax risk.

Rob joined Laner Muchin in 1995 and has been a partner since 2003. His practice has been concentrated in defending employers in employment disputes and proceedings throughout the country, counseling employers on their day-to-day labor and employment issues, training management on a host of labor and employment topics, drafting and negotiating employment and non-competition agreements, drafting employee handbooks and corporate policy manuals, as well as handling collective bargaining negotiations, arbitrations, and a variety of other labor and employment matters on behalf of employers.

Franco La Marca, a distinguished Principal at Bernstein Private Wealth Management, brings his expertise to the forefront as a member of Bernstein’s National Foundations & Institutional Advisory Council, specializing in advising nonprofits. Recognized twice by Crain’s Chicago Business as a Notable LGBTQ Executive and acknowledged by Chicago Social Magazine as a Chicago Power Player, Franco is a dedicated community leader. With over a decade of board experience, he currently holds a position on the Board of Trustees for the Harris Theater of Chicago. He recently termed off as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Center on Halsted—one of America’s largest LGBTQ centers. 

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Franco is not just a financial expert; he is a strategic partner for nonprofit boards. He helps them dimension appropriate capital reserves, draft meaningful Investment Policy Statements (IPS), aligns mission values to an investment portfolio, and guides development teams on successful donor engagement and support. Beyond financial acumen, Franco remains a steadfast advocate for racial and social justice, accessible social services, and the flourishing performing arts community in Chicago and beyond. 

As Vice President, Social Sector Specialist, Marisa Swystun brings 20 years of nonprofit and foundation leadership experience to Bernstein clients’ investment management strategies. Her work includes a family foundation in Detroit, The Art Institute of Chicago, and the establishment of a 501©3 clinic and family services center in West Africa. Before joining Bernstein’s Nashville headquarters, she served as the Chief Development Officer for Nashville’s Center for Nonprofit Management.    

On Bernstein’s Foundation and Institutional Advisory (FIA) Team, Marisa works with advisors to support and add structure to their servicing of nonprofit, foundation, and association clients. The FIA team brings a wide range of philanthropic subject matter expertise and experience to the table, including customized donor engagement practices and enhanced operational considerations, all focused on driving sustainable growth and increasing mission impact. 

Pavan W. Auman is a Director and Research Analyst in Bernstein’s Wealth Strategies Group, where he specializes in quantitative modeling and research on topics including retirement planning, concentrated stock positions, and portfolio optimization. Pavan joined Bernstein in September 2014 from Charles Schwab, where he worked as a research analyst for the Schwab Investment Advisory in San Francisco. Previously, he held a variety of positions in Silicon Valley technology companies. Pavan earned dual degrees, a BA in environmental studies and a BSc in computer science, from Evergreen State College. Pavan holds an MBA with a concentration in equity valuation from Santa Clara University. He is a CFA charterholder.

Tessa Juste is the LGBTQ Movement Building and Policy Researcher at the Movement Advancement Project. She earned her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and her LL.M. in Intercultural Human Rights from St. Thomas University School of Law. Tessa enjoys marrying her passion for empirical research with intersectional policy change.

Cruz Arroyo serves as Movement Building and Capacity Strategist. He is also one of the ACLS Leading Edge Fellows from the 2023 cohort. He works with both the Movement Advancement Project’s LGBTQ policy team as well as Open to All. He received his Ph.D. in English from the University of Southern California and currently resides in Los Angeles.

Morgan Jenkins is the Chief Operating Officer at True Colors United, where she oversees operations, human resources, and finance of the organization. Before joining True Colors United, Morgan was a founding Chief Diversity Officer and interim Chief Operating Officer for a small network of charter schools in New York City and an 11-year veteran educator. Morgan spent the majority of her career educating and supporting BIPOC youth in Washington, DC, and in New York City. Currently, Morgan also serves as the founding and principal consultant for her consulting firm that focuses on organizational strategy and providing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support to non-profit educational organizations. Morgan also lectures and advises high educational institutions on creating social capital and access for first-generation college students.

Morgan was born and raised in Westchester County, New York, and is a proud alum of Syracuse University, Howard University, and St. John Fisher College. She now calls the Bronx, NY home with her husband, two children, and her dog. When she is not working, she spends time providing pro-bono DEI support to schools in need, playing with her children, and horseback riding.